70W Viper vs. 150W HQI

[floridafin]

Was wondering...What would happen if someone placed a 150W bulb in a Viper Fixture that is made for a 70W ?
My mind has a picture of the Fire Dept. and all bad things,but does anyone REALLY know what would happen?
All conjecture aside,any electricians, or someone who really knows, out there with the facts?
Thanks.

 

[scsinet]

Halide bulbs are designed for a constant amount of current. Ballasts are matched to those bulbs to provide that amount of current. Ergo, they balance each other.
A 150w bulb would allow too much current to flow through the ballast and would eventually destroy the ballast, if it even starts in the first place.

 

[ibew]

Originally Posted by FloridaFin
Was wondering...What would happen if someone placed a 150W bulb in a Viper Fixture that is made for a 70W ?
My mind has a picture of the Fire Dept. and all bad things,but does anyone REALLY know what would happen?
All conjecture aside,any electricians, or someone who really knows, out there with the facts?
Thanks.
you ever change the light bulb in your house and read the socket on the reccomendations on max wattage same thing you will be in risk of a fire really a no brainer. also all of the time they rate the wire for the fixture or ballast for the amps it draws so if your not sized up then you have basically a big fuse which is the cord from your light to the plug in the wall. the wire will heat up and burn hopefully your breaker will catch it in time or you will destroy the ballast in the fixture in time. either way not a good idea to try