While browsing the website of a well-known Swedish furniture retailer, I found a clamp-on desk lamp I liked, which has a 13W power rating. To accompany this lamp, I would like to purchase a 1500lm 14W E27 LED bulb. Is it safe to put a 14W bulb into a lamp rated at 13W?
Even though the sites I visited in researching this issue didn't recommend exceeding a lamp's rated wattage, the given examples were along the lines of "don't put a 100W bulb into a 60W lamp". Since I would only be exceeding the rating by ~8%/1W I figure I'd still be well within the manufacturer's safety margin. Am I right?
Additional info: I am not planning to use the lamp in an enclosed space or near flammable objects.
This is the lamp in question: https://www.ikea.com/ch/en/p/tertial-work-lamp-dark-grey-50355395/
Best Answer
It is never a good idea to exceed the ratings on a fixture. They are UL listed, in the USA, for the rating specified and that listing goes out the window when exceeded. The stickers I'm familiar with usually read something similar to: " WARNING! Do not exceed the listed rating". The ratings for LED fixtures are more critical because of the electronics in the fixtures. There are transformers, rectifiers, capacitors, etc.,that are very sensitive to overloads. Subjecting the components to an 8% overload could blow them out or greatly reduce their life expectancy. Do yourself a favor and get the right bulb.