House wiring? (slightly off-topic)

[IXQY at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/27/00 3:56:28 PM Central Standard Time, 
harrybissell at prodigy.net writes:

> Hello Mainly Lurker...
>  
>  I agree with the vibration post.
>  Do you live near a highway or airport... that can do it !!!

 About two blocks away, there is a small cement company. I can hear the 
trucks and one large contraption that they have there. It doesn't get quite 
as loud as my old Polk Audio speakers when playing a DVD though. ; )


>  Do you buy "quality" lightbulbs... or "K-mart" bulbs. Often
>  the cheap bulbs are exactly that... I once lost 3 lightbulbs
>  in 5 minutes in a droplight.  Replacing the bulb with a GE,
>  Phillips, etc. solved the problem.

 I've tried both the generic and name brand bulbs. GE is what I just 
installed today (three of them)! They all burn out before too long. I was 
thinking about trying a 100 watt bulb, as the highest I've tried so far has 
been a 75 watt.


>  Voltage surges seldom destroy a lightbulb. They are too short.
>  Only long term overvoltage is a problem with bulb life...
>  (unless the surges are VERY VERY high...)  I used to run
>  a light  show where we pulsed bulbs with rectifed DC (160V)
>  and they survived a long time... but turned on constantly they
>  die within a minute !)
>  
>  Most equipment will tolerate a +/- 10% voltage range no problem.
>  Newer stuff can often do +/-20 (if it has a switching power supply)
>  Wall wart equipment is probably more sensitive...

 Really? That makes me feel a bit better, thanks.  : )

 Andrew