DIYbanter - View Single Post - CFLs vs incandescent "max wattage" cautions in overhead fixtures....

CJT

Nate Nagel wrote:

wrote:

On Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:23:56 -0600, AZ Nomad
wrote:

On Mon, 19 Jan 2009 15:59:38 -0500,
wrote:

The ceiling fixtures in our house all have labels indicating the
maximum wattage (incandescent) bulb to place in the fixture.
I assume this is a heat-based limit...

of course it is. Do you think the actual light causes the fixture
to catch
fire?

Although heat may and probably is the issue, over wattage through
current draw certainly could become a problem.

A bulb that draws 25W to produce the light of a 75W incadescent bulb
isn't going to overtax a fixture designed for 75W.

Correct you are, but what happens to a fixture that is rated for a 100
watt incandescent bulb when you use it for something other than
lighting? Are you saying that as long as you don't develop 100 watts
of heat then the fixture will be just fine?

Yes, so long as you aren't actually drawing more than 100W.

nate

I think perhaps his point is how the power factor can affect the current
vs watt relationship.

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