DIYbanter - View Single Post - Looking for facts about fires caused by compact florescent bulbs

Don Klipstein

In article ,
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 expectency, 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?

I hear more about actual fires from lamps other than CFLs than I do
about ones from CFLs.

I hear a lot about CFLs failing more spectacularly than one would like,
with a main blame being filter capacitors rupturing. The major
manufacturers have made improvents in that area, and I hear less about
this than I did a few years ago.

As for reports of actual fires caused by CDFs or ones actually catching
fire - I don't hear of amny of those, and I suspect those are mostly due
to non-UL-listed ones available mainly at dollar stores, and from the few
with safety recalls (which includes one of what I would call a "dollar
store brand").

One more thing: Many CFLs are unsuitable for use in small enclosed
fixtures and in recessed ceiling fixtures. Most over 23 watts are
unsuitable there. The ones most suited are probably ballastless ones for
use in fixtures designed for them, and after that Philips non-dimmable SLS
up to 23 watts. However, if a CFL has UL listing, it is supposed to
be at least "reasonably safe" unless used in a manner directed against.
Note - ballastless bulbs are not subject to UL listing the way ones with
ballasts are.

- Don Klipstein )