Is this safe?

[oldtimer]

I have a lighting fixture in my basement bathroom with 3 sockets which takes halogens. There is 120V/500W mark on the fixture in each of the sockets.

The burnt out bulb says 120V/100W UV-STOP (S)P CHINA J2.

I compared it to T2 1/2, 78mm in the store and it looks similar.

However the T2 1/2, 78mm is rated at either 200W/130V and 250W/130V.

Would it be safe to put either bulb in the fixture? Thanks.

PS Is there a CFL alternative for these kind of bulbs?

 

[LEDninja]

The bulbs and fixtures will work from 110V to 130V. No problem there.

200W or 250W is below the 500W rating of the fixture. No problem there.

But are you sure you want 2X the brightness and 2X the electricity bill?

 

[oldtimer]

Thank you sir! I tried 1 socket with the 250W and noticed a burning smell but couldn't find anything wrong with the fixture. As you said, it's rated below 500 so I don't know why that happened. Nevertheless, I got a splitting headache from looking at it indirectly so I will be using some lower wattage ones.

Do you know if there is a CFL alternative for these kinds of halogen bulbs? Even 3 100W bulbs seem quite costly for the amount of light output.

 

[Cyparagon]

The burning smell is typical. Hot things just kinda smell funny. As long as you don't see smoke and are under the ratings of the fixture, you'll be fine.

Your headache must be psychosomatic because the illumination of the sun is far, FAR more.

300W would be about 5000 lumens. A 70W metal halide fixture would suffice. There are some CFL fixtures at that power, but the light is not easily directed.

 

[Random Guy]

Look for another wattage rating sticker. The sockets in light fixtures are often rated for higher wattages than the rest of the fixture.