In general, lightbulbs produce and give off a white or yellow shade or hue of light. However, it may appear or turn dark blue or purple in specific cases. There may be various reasons associated with it. Nevertheless, all the causes indicate something irregular or unwanted afflicting the lightbulb.
Why Did My Lightbulb Turn Purple? A lightbulb produces light mixed with various colors. Typically, a specific shade like green may leave the mix in broken or old bulbs. In such cases, the remaining blue and red hues combine to give off a noticeable purple tint.
Is A Lightbulb With Purple Light Safe?
In almost all cases, the light of a lightbulb turning purple remains associated with the lifespan and extensive use and application of the electrical appliance. In other words, when it gets old, the filament has a higher possibility and chance of breaking down.
For that reason, an electric arc can get generated or produced between the two ends or edges of the broken filament. It can appear purple and give off the characteristic color. It generally happens due to the presence of argon gas within the lightbulb. The inert gas conventionally gets used to fill up the electrical appliance.
That is why the electric plasma arcs get the chance to leap across the hollow or empty gaps left behind by the argon gas when the arc gets generated. They can do so with much more ease here than in the air. It allows the purple color to sustain for some time.
Another reason may be that the lightbulb has a damaged or broken chip. Otherwise, the film present on the top that controls and manages the temperature may have come out. Both these instances can cause the lightbulb to give off a purple color.
In some cases, the nichrome or tungsten filaments of the lightbulb may heat up excessively and melt away. It happens when it draws or absorbs a significant amount of power or watts from the electricity source when the arc-plasma gets generated. The lightbulb may get doubled in brightness and change its color from purple to red in such instances.
Such a scenario helps indicate or warn about the imminent shattering of the glass covering or surrounding the lightbulb. It becomes an impending danger if the issue remains unhandled and dealt with in its early stages. Otherwise, it can cause severe problems and injuries to those who may be close by during the incident.
What Should An Individual Do With A Lightbulb That Turns Purple?
When a lightbulb turns purple, the primary indication or meaning is that it has turned quite old. However, it does not mean that an individual is at immediate risk of the electrical appliance breaking and its glass shattering. It may happen if the lightbulb gets left in that state for a considerable time without any remedy or rectification.
The best solution to deal with a lightbulb whose light has turned purple is to change it entirely. Replacing the electrical appliance and using a new and fresh one is the safest, most convenient, effortless, and fastest method. Nevertheless, some people may not want to change the lightbulb owing to some reason.
In such cases, an individual can start by checking the state of the lightbulb first. They can go forward with the appropriate steps and methods to rectify them if they find some issues with the electrical appliance’s color temperature control or heating. Nevertheless, the first thing to check is whether the lightbulb has any broken or damaged chip, film, or filament. If these issues exist, they must get corrected and repaired as fast as possible.
Another thing an individual can do is check if the light turning purple is temporary or permanent. Suppose the filament color changes to purple when the lightbulb gets switched on but turns back to normal after a short while. There is no need to repair or replace the electrical appliance in those cases. It can get owed to a phenomenon or occurrence called color shift that poses no danger or harm.
What Are A Few Other Common Defects That Remain Associated With The Color Of A Lightbulb?
The color of a lightbulb conventionally depends on the temperature at which the filament gets heated. For that reason, it is possible to create unique bulbs having their characteristic and distinct hue.
However, suppose a lightbulb that is supposed to give off a white or yellow color shows some other shade. In such instances, it suggests that some problem lies with the electrical appliance. In the worst cases, the issues may turn detrimental and lead to accidents.
Let us discuss a few lightbulbs issues that can get indicated and depicted by a color change.
- Pink
A lightbulb may turn pink when the mercury present inside it vaporizes to the colder parts. It generally gets absorbed into the inner glass and paint composed of phosphorus. It makes the ends or edges of the lightbulb turn black. Overall, the loss of mercury reduces the gas pressure. It can reach a point that makes the lightbulb incapable of lighting up. It merely leaves the argon that gives the pink color.
The pink color of the lightbulb indicates that the electrical appliance is approaching the end of its lifespan.
- Blue
Typically, the yellow phosphorus powder and blue chip remain present inside a lightbulb. They give the electrical appliance its warm yellow or white color. Any issues with the two components result in the blue tint. It can get owed to low-quality or degraded phosphorus powder or chip. It leads to rapid light degradation.
In such cases, the lightbulb must get replaced.
- Red
Suppose a lightbulb has a leak from which the surrounding atmospheric air enters. It can lead to a dimmed red color. However, it can turn bright red if the filament heats up significantly. In extreme cases, the oxygen present can react to the temperature and start a fire.
That is why immediate checking and rectification of such lightbulbs are necessary.