Why won't a regular light bulb, instead of an "appliance light bulb" work in my refrigerator?

Question

I have a fridge, and the 40W appliance bulb burnt out. I have some 40W vanity bulbs in my bathroom, and I put one of them in instead (It had the same base and everything) but it wouldn't light. I know the bulb works, is there some feature appliance bulbs have that regular ones don't?

Answer 1

the appliance bulb must be used, the cold of the refer , and the heat given from the bulb, and broken glass in the refer, are all reasons to use the correct bulb.

Answer 2

the difference is , shock, an appliance bulb has a coating and a thicker filament, standard bulbs don't, so it will burn out faster,  

Answer 3

The appliance bulb *should* be used for continuous service, but an ordinary 40W bulb also *should* light up for a test to see if something *else* might be wrong (such as the door switch) in the lighting circuit.

Did you test the "burned-out" appliance bulb elsewhere to see if it *truly* was bad?  Being as you should have a new appliance bulb 'on hand' (they're used in ovens also), go ahead and buy a new one and see if that really was the problem.  If not, check out the on/off switch that the door activates.  

Answer 4

If they are the same bulb, same wattage and size. It should work or the bulb is burnt out. Vanity bulbs usually have a clear glass envelope and won't last as long as appliance bulbs. Also, you need to be aware that humidity may be a problem in the refrigerator and may be shorting the vanity bulb out.