Light bulbs keep burning out one after another and electricians are booked through New Year. What’s going on?

In most homes, the neutral wire balances electrical load. When it’s loose or corroded—often at the panel, meter base, or utility connection—voltage can fluctuate wildly between circuits.

This can cause:

Lights getting unusually bright before burning out

Bulbs failing instantly when turned on

Some rooms blowing bulbs while others seem fine

Why This Is Urgent
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A loose neutral doesn’t just burn out bulbs. It can:

Damage appliances

Kill electronics

Create fire risk in extreme cases

If you notice bulbs getting brighter than normal, flickering dramatically, or appliances behaving oddly at the same time bulbs are failing, this is not a wait-until-January problem.

In some cases, the utility company, not an electrician, must fix it—and they may respond faster.

3. Fixture and Socket Issues (The Most Overlooked Cause)
Sometimes the wiring in the wall is fine, but the problem is right where the bulb screws in.

Loose Sockets
If the metal tab at the bottom of the socket doesn’t make solid contact with the bulb:

The bulb arcs slightly each time it turns on

Heat builds up

The base overheats

The bulb fails prematurely

This is extremely common in older fixtures.

Corrosion and Oxidation
Humidity, age, and dust can cause corrosion inside the socket, leading to:

Intermittent contact

Flickering

Localized overheating

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