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

Don Klipstein

In article m, David
Nebenzahl wrote:
On 1/19/2009 6:21 PM Nate Nagel spake thus:

wrote:

On Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:57:12 -0600, CJT wrote:

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:

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.

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

My point is that a light fixture rated for a 100 watt incandescent
only has to be robust enough to support the current of that same bulb.
1 amp.

yes, we've covered that already.

Can you find an example of a CFL that draws more than 100 watts? What
point are you trying to make, anyway?

Even if they existed, it wouldn't matter: the electrical parts of any
lamp socket are perfectly capable of handling far more than 100 watts (1
amp at 120 volts, nominal). A typical socket rating is 660 watts (at
least for ceramic sockets, maybe somewhat less for phenolic resin).

I seem to think that many are rated only 250-300 watts.

The problem is not excessive current (or power, if you prefer): it's heat.

- Don Klipstein )