I live in rural USA and DO have the same problem with bulbs blowing.  I have
learned several things.

1. Light bulbs are available with different voltage ratings - 110v,115v,120v
or even 125v
        If I use the over 110 rated, they last for a long time.
2. Long life bulbs are usually the higher voltage -- Sylvania's work best
3. Sometimes the higher voltage are called "Commercial"
4. A dimmer switch makes them last for years, even when turned up high most
of the time
5.  Flouresent bulbs replacements last very well too and are getting cheaper
all the time.

Normal bulbs - might not last one month at my house, particularly in the
kitchen or bathroom.

There is an organization, I am guessing "Tha American Society for the
Blind", they sell a higher voltage bulb for fund raising that has a built in
resistor, they last for a very long time but the output is much dimmer than
a comparable bulb.
(they also sell the best plastic wrap (Saran Wrap type) you can get)

Take note of your regrigerator at 2 in the morning.  I will probably
indicate that your freq increases markedly in the wee hours if you are on a
bulb blower line.




> -----Original Message-----
> From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Doug Butler
> Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 10:09 AM
> To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> Subject: Re: [EE] Phase control dimming on a cheap pic
>
>
> Here in 110VAC USA we don't seem to have the problems you are having in
> 220VACland.  Vehicle bulbs are even lower voltage, which may explain fewer
> blown bulbs.
>
> An identical bulb designed for a lower voltage will have a shorted thicker
> filament, which gives it more mechanical strength.
>
> Doug Butler
> Sherpa Engineering
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pic microcontroller discussion list
> > [mailto:PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU]On Behalf Of Jinx
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 8:39 AM
> > To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
> > Subject: Re: [EE] Phase control dimming on a cheap pic
> >
> >
> > > How about this for a whacko idea, rectify lighting
> > > circuit to DC in the switchboard, then use a PIC
> >
> > I'll reply to this later but here's something I just thought of -
> >
> > Probably the most common users of high wattage DC
> > bulbs would be vehicles. Are there any comparable stats
> > for car lights blowing in same way that we seem to
> > have experience for mains bulbs ? As I ride around it
> > appears to me that almost all cars have a full set of lights
> > yet I know plenty of people that are forever changing
> > house bulbs
> >
> > Don't know if that's just a "so what ?" question. So what
> > if it is ? ;-)
> >
> > --
> > http://www.piclist.com hint: PICList Posts must start with ONE topic:
> > [PIC]:,[SX]:,[AVR]: ->uP ONLY! [EE]:,[OT]: ->Other [BUY]:,[AD]: ->Ads
> >
> >
>
> --
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>
>
>

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