Natwerk Designs

if a 100 watt light bulb was designed to run on a 800 volts, would it be more efficient then a 120volt one?

would a bulb rated at this voltage be more econically efficient? would it last longer or not? I'm thinking it could last longer because the filiment would be more thicker and rugged to resist a higher voltage but I could be wrong? Why aren't street lights rated at a voltage like that?

Public Comments

1. Power is power. 100 watts is the same at 800V as at 120V. What's different is the amount of current. There would be no significant difference in the expectant life of the lamps just based on the applied voltage.
2. Yes, it would be more efficient. This would be because higher voltages are more efficiently transported. It would also require much less current. So, the filament would be thinner. Street lights aren't rated for those voltages because 800V supplies aren't readily available. 120V (or 240V) are the set standard. So, light bulbs are made to this standard. They could buy specially made light bulbs that are rated for 800V, but that's much more expensive than just buying some that are made in bulk (so they're cheap), and rated for 120V.