Using a 1000W bulb in a 750W Softbox
- Thread starter jpardon
- Start date
Cool Lights
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Its possible it might work but the ratings are there for a reason so its not recommended.
ProfessorU
Veteran
There are two main considerations in a fixture's rating. The first is heat generated and retained in the fixture. A higher level of current will increase heat, and this will increase the risk of fire, melting, etc. as well as shorten the lamp life. The second is the amount of current that can be handled by the cable and socket delivering it. Almost any cable made today can handle 1000w.
Most of the time, the limiting factor is heat in the fixture. If you use them intermittently, or make extra considerations for cooling, you might have good luck. Keep the fixture on a GFCI and keep an electrical fire extinguisher handy.
Or if you take the softbox off and use it as bounce light instead you could probably run it safely without a duty cycle. Probably.
Most of the time, the limiting factor is heat in the fixture. If you use them intermittently, or make extra considerations for cooling, you might have good luck. Keep the fixture on a GFCI and keep an electrical fire extinguisher handy.
Or if you take the softbox off and use it as bounce light instead you could probably run it safely without a duty cycle. Probably.
Chris Santucci
Veteran
You'll know pretty fast if you have too much heat in the box. If you don't smell anything, you're probably fine. All light fixtures are generally under rated for lamp wattage.
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