What are the three ways to determine if a light bulb has burned out?

kerry8888

from a very unscientific housewife.... :) 1 it doesnt work in the light socket. 2 it rattles when you shake it (cuase the filament is broken) 3 you can see that the filament is broken inside the bulb 4 also - blackening of the globe is a bit of a giveaway too.... :) Apr 22 03, 3:34 AM

Norwich

...And 5. (In the case of those low energy bulbs) They give off an unpleasant smell of burning plastic just before they pop. Apr 22 03, 5:12 AM

Gnomon

If the lightbulb rattles, it may still work, but it will probably blow soon because the filament is damaged. You can test a light bulb with an electrical resistance meter. Either current will flow in which case the bulb is OK, or it won't in which case the bulb is blown. Apr 22 03, 10:23 AM

Son of the Household Cavalry

1) Several fire engines and a big pile of scorched rubble may give an indication that more than one may have suffered that fate. 2) You hear a pop as an elderly photographer takes your picture on his 1950s camera. 3) A circuit tester proves that there is no possible way a current can pass through the filament. (Serious answer to give McG a problem when he is thinking about pruning replies. I have to do something to keep my score above 500) Apr 22 03, 12:13 PM