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Q&A Are lamps, with blistering light bulbs exposed and facing down on the user, dangersome?

I'd say it's not the best design. Maybe that's why they discontinued it. However, there are also advantages. Cooling will be a little easier without a cover. But the real advantage is price. U...

posted 2y ago by Olin Lathrop‭  ·  edited 2y ago by Olin Lathrop‭

Answer
#2: Post edited by user avatar Olin Lathrop‭ · 2021-12-18T15:02:58Z (over 2 years ago)
  • I'd say it's not the best design. Maybe that's why they discontinued it.
  • However, there are also advantages. Cooling will be a little easier without a cover. But the real advantage is price.
  • Ultimately, it is up to the consumer how much they care about the lower price, versus the chance of accidentally contacting the hot bulb, and whatever discomfort or injury that might result in. In some jurisdictions, product safety laws may make that choice for the consumer, but the fundamental price versus safety tradeoff is still there, just made collectively thru the government instead of by individuals.
  • I personally wouldn't buy such a light, but mostly because these bulbs are hideously inefficient compared to modern LEDs. (I'm assuming the bulb is incandescent because you say it gets very hot and warms you up too.)
  • If you're worried about it, don't use this light. Also consider the operating cost of such an inefficient light. Most of the cost of such bulbs are the operating expense, not the purchase price. Maybe you can hack the existing fixture to replace the bulb with an LED type. That might actually save you money in the long run, and will present less of a hazard. Since LEDs are more efficient, less power goes to heat for the same amount of light.
  • I'd say it's not the best design. Maybe that's why they discontinued it.
  • However, there are also advantages. Cooling will be a little easier without a cover. But the real advantage is price.
  • Ultimately, it is up to the consumer how much they care about the lower price, versus the chance of accidentally contacting the hot bulb, and whatever discomfort or injury that might result in. In some jurisdictions, product safety laws may make that choice for the consumer. The fundamental price versus safety tradeoff is still there, just made collectively thru the government instead of by individuals.
  • I personally wouldn't buy such a light, but mostly because these bulbs are hideously inefficient compared to modern LEDs. (I'm assuming the bulb is incandescent because you say it gets very hot and warms you up too.)
  • If you're worried about it, don't use this light. Also consider the operating cost of such an inefficient light. Most of the cost of such bulbs are the operating expense, not the purchase price. Maybe you can hack the existing fixture to replace the bulb with an LED type. That might actually save you money in the long run, and will present less of a hazard. Since LEDs are more efficient, less power goes to heat for the same amount of light.
#1: Initial revision by user avatar Olin Lathrop‭ · 2021-12-18T15:01:14Z (over 2 years ago)
I'd say it's not the best design.  Maybe that's why they discontinued it.

However, there are also advantages.  Cooling will be a little easier without a cover.  But the real advantage is price.

Ultimately, it is up to the consumer how much they care about the lower price, versus the chance of accidentally contacting the hot bulb, and whatever discomfort or injury that might result in.  In some jurisdictions, product safety laws may make that choice for the consumer, but the fundamental price versus safety tradeoff is still there, just made collectively thru the government instead of by individuals.

I personally wouldn't buy such a light, but mostly because these bulbs are hideously inefficient compared to modern LEDs.  (I'm assuming the bulb is incandescent because you say it gets very hot and warms you up too.)

If you're worried about it, don't use this light.  Also consider the operating cost of such an inefficient light.  Most of the cost of such bulbs are the operating expense, not the purchase price.  Maybe you can hack the existing fixture to replace the bulb with an LED type.  That might actually save you money in the long run, and will present less of a hazard.  Since LEDs are more efficient, less power goes to heat for the same amount of light.