exploding light bulbs

[S. Preston Jones]

I was teaching a class the other night and we were photographing still life set ups. Regular photofloods bulbs were being used and one exploded. The light was pointed at an angle slightly down when this happened. No one was hurt. I have had this happen at home and wonder what is the best way to contain the bulbs in the reflector. I do not want any one hurt. we have a couple of clip on diffusers for 12" reflectors but we use reflectors of all sizes including regular clip on shop lights. We will be doing a class on taking portraits and it would be horrible if a model got hurt. Your thoughts.

Preston

[rphenning]

did someone touch the bare bulb before the light was turned on?

[Robert Hughes]

Some lamp housings such as the Lowells have metal screens available to protect from flying glass in the event of a lamp blowout. I usually take the screens off to get more light, so am going without protection, as it were...

[S. Preston Jones]

No one touched the bulbs. It had been left in the reflector from an earlier use. I have had an earlier experience where the bulb was already in the reflector when it exploded. No moisture was present.

Preston

[vinny]

I've seen hot glass from bulbs blast right through silks, faux grass and burn the guys carrying gear underneath them when they went off. Get some 1/4" hardware cloth for starters, you can cut it into a circle and form it around the reflector w/o light (hardly any) loss.

[Bob Salomon]

No one touched the bulbs. It had been left in the reflector from an earlier use. I have had an earlier experience where the bulb was already in the reflector when it exploded. No moisture was present.

Preston

Vibration from moving them around doesn't help them either.

[IanMazursky]

Ive seen some go just by looking at them funny Although nothing like an HMI or projector lamp. Those are huge explosions!
Another option is some metal (not plastic) window screen material. Cut it so it matches the reflectors size and some gaffers tape should do.
The tape might be temporary but make sure it can withstand the heat and not go up in flames.
It might steal a bit of light but for safety, it may be worth it.

[Sevo]

Light bulbs usually explode due to arcing when the filament breaks while they are installed in a wrong fixture. Old style photofloods have to be used with a fast acting fuse to suppress arcing, and may not be mounted with the socket down to avoid fragments from the broken filament dropping into and short circuiting the contact wires.

[Steaphany]

Get some 1/4" hardware cloth for starters

This may only give you a feeling of security. I had a lamp go Bang and when sweeping up the glass, most were particles that would have easily gone through a 1/4" opening.

[Jim Noel]

I use heavy plastic diffusers made for my old Photoflood reflectors. They are heavy enough to prevent the passage of any fragments. I have used Photofloods for at least 50 years and have never had such an explosion. I suspect that oil from fingers might be a culprit.I always handle them with cotton gloves.