On Sep 19, 5:43 pm, wrote:
I am looking for facts about fires caused by compact florescent bulbs.
The more I use them, the more dangerous they seem. It's bad enough
they never live up to their normal life expectancy, but they also seem
dangerous as far as causing fires. A couple years ago I flipped on
the bathroom lights (two fixtures) with CF bulbs. I sat down on the
toilet when suddenly I heard a loud pop. One of the CF bulbs went
black and at that same moment smoke and sparks began blowing out of
the base of the CF. I got up and flipped off the switch before any
further damage occurred. Yesterday I went into my garage, where I
have 4 CF bulbs. When I flipped on the switch I heard a buzz that
sounded similar to an arc welder but not as loud. One of the lights
flickered and finally lit up. I was a bit puzzled and shut off the
lights and turned them on again. This time the same bulb made that
same sound and apparently died. It would no longer light up. When I
walked near that CF I could smell a burnt odor.

I have been lucky that I was able to be nearby when these occurred,
and it seems the problems happen when the lights are turned on.
However, I am finding these bulbs to be dangerous as far as a fire
risk. Because of this, I am going to be eliminating all of them and
going back to standard light bulbs. I'd rather spend a few dollars
extra per month on my electric bill than risk a fire.

Does anyone know of any facts about fires caused by CF bulbs?

Alvin

Nothing per that experience but I have one CFL Marked SE201 15W 120v
60Hz. on desk in front of me.

The reason it was removed from use is because the ceramic (or ceramic
looking) base separated and the lighted part with some components
attached came loose.

This btw is not one of the 'curly' types/ It has four straight tubes
(well actually two tubes looped) each tube is about 7/16 in diam.
about 4 inches long that project straight up from the base. Overall
it's a shade over 6 inches long from tip of the screw in base to far
end of the fluorescing tubes. So it's physically about as long as one
of those incandescent bulbs that are often mounted horizontally above
a picture frame. The ceramic base through which the tubes emerge has
also crumbled slightly.

On other hand we have a plastic cased fluorescent hand inspection lamp
which seems to work well, its fully enclosed bulb flickers once or
twice and then comes on. Appears much safer in a garage or workshop
environment than an incandescent bulb with a hot filament inside a
glass bulb that could be broken.

While this was for its time of purchase a 'cheapie' at about $2 not
impressed with it. It does use less electrcity and it does not get hot
as does an incandescent. But this one definitely does not produce the
same amount of light as say a 60 to 75 watter, as claimed.