Is it okay to run just three out of four bulbs in a light fixture?
I have a four bulb fixture over my bathroom sink mirror. A bulb started flickering so I removed it. The bulbs are incredibly bright, and I actually like the level of light with just the three bulbs better. Is it okay to use the fixture with just the three bulbs and the one socket base empty?
I would not leave an empty socket. And if the existing light is too bright consider lower wattage LED bulbs with a lower lumen rating and try a different light color. If bright white is too intense try warm white.
"And leaving that socket open like that won't use more energy or anything negative?"
When electricity first came to rural America, people worried that if they left a bulb out of the one (1) light fixture in the house, 'lectricity would leak out.
Eventually they learned that it wouldn't leak unless Uncle Ed stuck a finger in there. When that happened, Uncle Ed would spring a leak too.
I wouldn't leave an empty socket mostly for appearance reasons but you should also consider that even though it has limited access it is an exposed electrical source.
If the light is "flickering" are you sure that it is the bulb and not the fixture?
I've had multiple LED bulbs flicker when they reached the end of their short life. Never had an incandescent flicker unless either the bulb was fixing to blow or there was an issue with the fixture.
I just replaced a light fixture in my kitchen. It is connected to two three way switches. I had to relocate the light and put in a box where they hadn’t used one before. So I disconnected the old wire and connected a new wire in the junction box. There were only three wires and I believe I reconnected them all to the same wires (Black, white and ground). Now neither switch works and the light stays on constantly. Do the wires I connected directly at the fixture matter in their placement? Meaning if I swap the white and black at the fixture will that fix the problem?
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[*]How do I determine if the power comes into the switch or into the receptacle?
[*]After I figure out where the power comes into the room, how do I keep the receptacle always hot and the switch to control my recessed lights? I assume this is dependent on #1.
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I can post pics if needed.
04-29-21, 10:17 AM
