Hi, lighting and electrical experts. Can you advise? I bought 5 sconces to go above bookshelves like little library lights. The spec sheet says, "60 watts max." But the the inside of the sconces have labels that say "Caution. Fire. 40 watts max." Meanwhile, the inside of the socket-- on the round metal thingie -- says 120V, 75 watts. (I'm attaching a .jpg) I want a 60 watt bulb in there. I called... [more]
Hi, lighting and electrical experts. Can you advise?
I bought 5 sconces to go above bookshelves like little library lights. The spec sheet says, "60 watts max." But the the inside of the sconces have labels that say "Caution. Fire. 40 watts max."
Meanwhile, the inside of the socket-- on the round metal thingie -- says 120V, 75 watts. (I'm attaching a .jpg)
I want a 60 watt bulb in there. I called the distributor and asked watt's with the wattage? She said the factory has made a mistake with the spec sheet. . and that it's really 40 watts. She can't explain the 75 watt engraving and is trying to get an answer. A designer friend says it's OK to put a 60 watt bulb in a 40 watt candelabra base -- that 20 extra degrees won't affect heat or safety.
But is that true?
Also -- when I Google candelabra base bulbs all of them look like screw -in type bulbs and this socket doesn't look like it has that kind of socket. Sorry for my ignorance, but what the heck kind of "candelabra base "bulb does fit in here?
Here's a photo of the inside socket of the sconce. Click on it to make it bigger. You can see it says 75.
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=v8j20x&s=8#.VNwS1LDF_8c
And here's the sconce itself. They look big, but are only 4" high.
ttp://i60.tinypic.com/10qmcgm.jpg
Thanks for your help.
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if the manufacturer has said 40 watts max, don't risk it...unless you are prepared to like at the AWG gauge of the wiring nobody will really know I think.
alternatively just get an LED bulb so that the wattage will be a lot lower but yield you ~60 watt still.
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Response by bramstar
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 1909
Member since: May 2008
Keep in mind that candelabra bulbs burn very hot when positioned 'upside down' as for this sconce. If you use a higher-than-recommended wattage you could risk damage to the sconce socket itself.
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Response by cc2015
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 43
Member since: Jan 2015
Bring it to Homedepot and ask... or just return them and get your money back. I don't think it will start a fire or anything like that. But you will probably end up with a lot of broken bulbs and might even have to call an electrician.
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Response by uptown_joe
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 293
Member since: Dec 2011
Snuffles has it right -- the rating is a combination of the ratings for the concealed supply wiring inside the fixture, the socket component (which on its own is probably rated 75W), and the ability of the rest of the fixture to withstand heat. If the sticker says 40W, they really mean it. (Do not listen to your designer friend.)
If the 40W incandescent doesn't make you happy, get an LED or CFL bulb and you can go as bright as you could possibly want without exceeding the fixture's rating.
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Response by Propinquity
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 92
Member since: Feb 2012
Thanks, All. I will heed your warnings. Am still frustrated about this candelabra base business because every bulb I see online has the screw in base tip and the socket on the sconce doesn't appear to hold screw-in bulbs. Looking at Home Depot .com there is only one candelabra base bulb that isn't screw-in. It's a Halogen T4... but I so hate halogen. I don't seen an LED non-screw-in. Or incandescent non-screw in.
Here's the Home Depot one:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100-Watt-Halogen-T4-Mini-Candelabra-Base-Sconce-Dimmable-Light-Bulb-416339/202800677t
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Response by uptown_joe
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 293
Member since: Dec 2011
You may have mini-candelabra ("E11") sockets rather than "regular" candelabra E12 sockets?
Try Lamps Plus, 1000Bulbs or a similar online outlet that specializes in this and thus carries more variety than home depot.
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Response by sippelmc
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 142
Member since: Sep 2007
I'm guessing it is this below? Google image search matches your stock image to Lovell Plug-in Sconce light.
Website and mfg spec sheet pdf (you can download it) say 40w.
If you are placing it above a bookshelf I definitely wouldn't want a 40w halogen like that searing above.
I'd take it to Home Depot, tell them you want bulbs for it, have them identify the socket type and test it, then if Home Depot doesn't have a non halogen like LED search Amazon.
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Response by fieldschester
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 3525
Member since: Jul 2013
40 Watt bulb in a 60 Watt fixture would be how I describe some of the people on Streeteasy.
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Response by Propinquity
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 92
Member since: Feb 2012
Sipplemc, yes, good call. It's the Lovell sconce from Barnlight. Website and spec sheet now does say 40 watts max, but in mid-January when I ordered them, the website and mfg spec sheet said 60 WATTS max. They took several weeks to get here, arriving a few days ago. Clearly in the meantime,someone flagged the mistake and they've updated the spec sheet now.
I ordered thru the professional rep for Barnlight because my designer gets a discount, so have now been going back and forth with them. They acknowledge that their info was "misleading," so if I can't find a satisfactory bulb, I got the impression that I could return the sconces, even though they were custom order. I'm trying to get THEM to tell me exactly what the socket is and what bulb will work with it. The rep promised to stay on the case, but no answer yet.
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Response by Aaron2
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 1698
Member since: Mar 2012
If you're in NYC, go to Just Bulbs, 220 E 60th St, show them the sconce and they can help find suitable bulbs. Huge on-site selection, and friendly.
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Response by Propinquity
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 92
Member since: Feb 2012
Thanks, Aaron, that's what I'll do.
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Response by Propinquity
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 92
Member since: Feb 2012
UPDATE: Hi, all. Went to Just Bulbs and it turns out the socket does allow a screw-in bulb. The guy said to use a 40 watt Xeon/Krypton frosted halogen bulb. ($13.95). However, every light in the joint is 2700Kelvin and he says halogens are 3000 kelvin. From your experience, when you have recssessed lights and desk lamps, etc. all at 2700, will the 3000 be a noticeable difference? If yes, the store said they would take the fixtures back, and we found ]other sconces that take regular incandescent 2700 bulbs.
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Response by Propinquity
almost 11 years ago
Posts: 92
Member since: Feb 2012
Oh, sorry, I forgot to add: this 40 watt Xenon/Krypton he said is the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb.
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Oops, sorry....URL was cut off. http://i60.tinypic.com/10qmcgm.jpg
if the manufacturer has said 40 watts max, don't risk it...unless you are prepared to like at the AWG gauge of the wiring nobody will really know I think.
alternatively just get an LED bulb so that the wattage will be a lot lower but yield you ~60 watt still.
Keep in mind that candelabra bulbs burn very hot when positioned 'upside down' as for this sconce. If you use a higher-than-recommended wattage you could risk damage to the sconce socket itself.
Bring it to Homedepot and ask... or just return them and get your money back. I don't think it will start a fire or anything like that. But you will probably end up with a lot of broken bulbs and might even have to call an electrician.
Snuffles has it right -- the rating is a combination of the ratings for the concealed supply wiring inside the fixture, the socket component (which on its own is probably rated 75W), and the ability of the rest of the fixture to withstand heat. If the sticker says 40W, they really mean it. (Do not listen to your designer friend.)
If the 40W incandescent doesn't make you happy, get an LED or CFL bulb and you can go as bright as you could possibly want without exceeding the fixture's rating.
Thanks, All. I will heed your warnings. Am still frustrated about this candelabra base business because every bulb I see online has the screw in base tip and the socket on the sconce doesn't appear to hold screw-in bulbs. Looking at Home Depot .com there is only one candelabra base bulb that isn't screw-in. It's a Halogen T4... but I so hate halogen. I don't seen an LED non-screw-in. Or incandescent non-screw in.
Here's the Home Depot one:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-100-Watt-Halogen-T4-Mini-Candelabra-Base-Sconce-Dimmable-Light-Bulb-416339/202800677t
You may have mini-candelabra ("E11") sockets rather than "regular" candelabra E12 sockets?
Try Lamps Plus, 1000Bulbs or a similar online outlet that specializes in this and thus carries more variety than home depot.
I'm guessing it is this below? Google image search matches your stock image to Lovell Plug-in Sconce light.
http://www.barnlightelectric.com/pendant-lighting/apartment-lighting/the-lovell-plug-in-wall-sconce.html
Website and mfg spec sheet pdf (you can download it) say 40w.
If you are placing it above a bookshelf I definitely wouldn't want a 40w halogen like that searing above.
I'd take it to Home Depot, tell them you want bulbs for it, have them identify the socket type and test it, then if Home Depot doesn't have a non halogen like LED search Amazon.
40 Watt bulb in a 60 Watt fixture would be how I describe some of the people on Streeteasy.
Sipplemc, yes, good call. It's the Lovell sconce from Barnlight. Website and spec sheet now does say 40 watts max, but in mid-January when I ordered them, the website and mfg spec sheet said 60 WATTS max. They took several weeks to get here, arriving a few days ago. Clearly in the meantime,someone flagged the mistake and they've updated the spec sheet now.
I ordered thru the professional rep for Barnlight because my designer gets a discount, so have now been going back and forth with them. They acknowledge that their info was "misleading," so if I can't find a satisfactory bulb, I got the impression that I could return the sconces, even though they were custom order. I'm trying to get THEM to tell me exactly what the socket is and what bulb will work with it. The rep promised to stay on the case, but no answer yet.
If you're in NYC, go to Just Bulbs, 220 E 60th St, show them the sconce and they can help find suitable bulbs. Huge on-site selection, and friendly.
Thanks, Aaron, that's what I'll do.
UPDATE: Hi, all. Went to Just Bulbs and it turns out the socket does allow a screw-in bulb. The guy said to use a 40 watt Xeon/Krypton frosted halogen bulb. ($13.95). However, every light in the joint is 2700Kelvin and he says halogens are 3000 kelvin. From your experience, when you have recssessed lights and desk lamps, etc. all at 2700, will the 3000 be a noticeable difference? If yes, the store said they would take the fixtures back, and we found ]other sconces that take regular incandescent 2700 bulbs.
Oh, sorry, I forgot to add: this 40 watt Xenon/Krypton he said is the equivalent of a 60 watt bulb.