G9 bulbs have short life

[tsrplatelayer]

18 months ago the light fittings in my lounge were changed, professionally fitted. 2 fittings each with 5 lampholders. Originally supplied with 5 *40WG9 I actually fitted 5 * 25W G9s - total 250W. A 400W electronic dimmer was fittted. In 18 months I have fitted over 20 replacement bulbs, more in Winter, none over the summer - seven changed over the last 4 weeks. I thought the problem might be the dimmer - so I replaced it with a switch. Bulbs still have a short life. I am extremely careful not to touch the bulbs.

The sparky hasbeen back and checked / tested the fittings, ensuring wiring secure and screws tight and measuring just abt everything he could on his tester - he couldnt find anything wrong.

Typically a bulb lasts less than 250hrs.

I should add I have tried different brands of bulb

Any suggestions?

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Suggestion 1: Lamp manufacturers' average life figures are as reliable as car makers' fuel consumption ones.

Suggestion 2: When they say "Average life x hours" what they mean is that by the time x hours have elapsed 50% of their lamps will have failed.

Suggestion 3: Check the voltage rating of the lamps very carefully, and stick to ones which say 240V, not 230V and not a voltage range. Did the electrician measure your voltage? Our supply is only nominally 230V, in reality it's usually consistently higher, in keeping with the fact that it used to be nominally 240V. If you run a 230V lamp at 240V you'll immediately almost halve its life.

Suggestion 4: Don't use that type of lighting - G9 capsules have intrinsically one of the shortest lives.