What would happen if you use a 300W regular light bulb in a table lamp that says 100W maximum?

Answer 1

<><><> If you are lucky, it may last long enough for you to get it turned back off, or pull the plug out of the socket. ALL electrical devices are designed to safely carry only a specified amount of current [Amps]. When you install a 300 watt bulb in a fixture designed to handle only 100 watts, you are OVERLOADING the SWITCH AND SOCKET by three times [that's 300% !!!!!], which is a very foolish thing to do. In this case, when you turn the switch on, several things will happen, either right away, or over a short time [a minute, maybe 5]: 1. Upon closing the switch [turning the lamp on], an electrical ARC could instantly occur, spitting a ball of fire and hot, molten metal droplets all over your hand, possibly into your face and eyes. The reason for this answer is that the switch contacts, if corroded, dirty, are misaligned and do not make full proper contact, or in any manner are defective or compromised, could soften and deform, or melt, and open enough to allow an arc to form. Though this occurance is not a high probability, it certainly has occured, has been documented, and therefore, this answer is NOT ridiculous. 2. If it doesn't "blow up" in your face, then within a few minutes, the lamp socket and switch will seriously overheat [at 300% overload] and possibly catch something below it, or nearby on fire, and then could arc and explode. An arc IS one form of explosion, and regardless of how big or small, can expell dangerous particles for significant distances. 3. Smaller "overlamping" [say a 100 watt bulb in a 60 watt fixture] of a fixture, EVEN if it doesn't blow, will over a short period of time will "cook" the socket and switch, resulting in premature wear out and failure, which could result in arcing and/or fire. For your safety, NEVER place more electrical load on ANY device than the manufacturer's specifications indicate. <><><>

That is among the most ridiculous alarmist responses I have seen to a silly question.

The heat from the excessive lamp will of course damage the socket and cause premature failure, but why would it arc and explode?

And why would you use a rope rated to hold 100 pounds to hold 300 pounds?

Wouldn't you expect it to break? <><><>

Answer 2

If a fixture is only rated for 75 watts and you install a 100 watt light bulb in it, you have exceeded the rating of the fixture. The fixture could overheat and catch fire. Do not do this! electrical equipment have been tested to see what they can safely handle.

Answer 3

It draws more current (amperage) because higher rated bulbs have less resistance in them. The lamp device is designed to contain a certain amperage. If you use higher wattage bulbs its causes the amperage in bulb to exceed that of the lamp it is put in so if left on long enough it will either (1) Burn up the lamp and possibly cause a fire if left on long enough and or (2) overload the circuit breaker and trip it off.

Answer 4

Nothing