My fancy pants machine goes into "sleep mode" if I don't touch it for 10 minutes - then just a touch and it's back on. If I leave it for an hour, I have to turn it back on. My other machines - leave them on until I'm done for the day - or at least a few hours. I have a 35 year old Bernina that had a light burn out. By that time, the little rubber item that you use to get hold of the bulb had rotted.