Lamp blowing fuse - in-line RCB?

[^woody^]

I have a plugged in table lamp that blows the plug fuse whenever the bulb goes.

The lamp is plugged into a smart timer plug to turn it on/off at a set times daily, and this and the socket are in turn hidden behind a panel which is awkward to access. I don't want to alter this arrangement. Bulbs tend to last about three months - these are traditional filament bulbs and I cant use any others. It's turned into a bit of a rigmarole.

I thought about an in-line RCB, which would trip when the bulb blows and stop the plug fuse blowing, and I could potentially make this accessible for a button press when needed.

However, it occured to me that these RCB's tend to trip whenever power is removed, so it wont be practical to use with a timer.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can keep this set up as it is, and deal with the fuse blowing - ideally with some sort of RCB type device?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

Why must you use incandescent lamps?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Does anyone have any ideas how I can keep this set up as it is, and deal with the fuse blowing - ideally with some sort of RCB type device?

Try a higher rated fuse - assuming you have a 3A at the moment. Might not help.

 

[^woody^]

Why must you use incandescent lamps?

For the heat. Its a lava lamp

 

[^woody^]

Try a higher rated fuse - assuming you have a 3A at the moment. Might not help.

Should I do that? I can see the reasoning, but didn't think it would be that simple a solution.

Would say a 13 amp be acceptable?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Yes. Still might blow though.

 

[winston1]

My experience with incandescent lamps is that a 3a fuse blows with the bulb. A 5a one does not. No need to go to 13a, though you can if you like if the cable is heavy enough.

An in line RCD won't help. An RCD is not something that blows on overload.

No doubt one of the regulars will come on here and say I am talking rubbish again. Please ignore them.

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

My experience with incandescent lamps is that a 3a fuse blows with the bulb. A 5a one does not. No need to go to 13a, though you can if you like if the cable is heavy enough.

An in line RCD won't help. An RCD is not something that blows on overload.

No doubt one of the regulars will come on here and say I am talking rubbish again. Please ignore them.

Well, apart from the fact that he didn't say RCD?

 

[DetlefSchmitz]

For the heat. Its a lava lamp

Ah, nice one!

 

[Taylortwocities]

I hate to say this, but Winston1 may be right with trying a 5A fuse. No guarantees though as filament lamps do pop 6A fuse wire, sometimes....

Alternatively, you could wire a 3A MCB (fitted in a suitable enclosure) in the supply lead and change the plug's fuse to 13A.
One of these, maybe https://www.screwfix.com/p/schneider-electric-easy9-3a-sp-type-b-mcb/7749p

 

[John D v2.0]

I'm going totally off piste here, but if you want the heat, you could use a significantly higher power bulb with a dimmer, and then it would basically last forever.

 

[winston1]

A lava lamp requires light as well. A dimmed higher power bulb probably won’t be bright enough.

 

[SUNRAY]

My experience with incandescent lamps is that a 3a fuse blows with the bulb. A 5a one does not. No need to go to 13a, though you can if you like if the cable is heavy enough.

An in line RCD won't help. An RCD is not something that blows on overload.

No doubt one of the regulars will come on here and say I am talking rubbish again. Please ignore them.

A lava lamp requires light as well. A dimmed higher power bulb probably won’t be bright enough.

How does it feel that no one has criticised your comments?
Simple really - offer good and correct advice like both of these and everyone, including me, is happy.

 

[John D v2.0]

A lava lamp requires light as well. A dimmed higher power bulb probably won’t be bright enough.

Might have to be clever with the ratings i suppose. I only came up with that because presumably the bulb is only lasting 3 months because the voltage is on the high side. Not sure what the ops light requirement is though.

How does it feel that no one has criticised your comments?
Simple really - offer good and correct advice like both of these and everyone, including me, is happy.

No idea what you're on about? It was just another direction to explore

 

[SUNRAY]

Might have to be clever with the ratings i suppose. I only came up with that because presumably the bulb is only lasting 3 months because the voltage is on the high side. Not sure what the ops light requirement is though.


No idea what you're on about? It was just another direction to explore

The main reason Lava lamp bulbs don't last long is due to the lack of ventilation and the overheating effect on the bulb.