In article , RBM wrote:

"BetaB4" wrote in message
...
I want to put in an occupancy sensor wall switch to control a new ceiling
light that uses a CFL bulb. The switch I want to get is a Leviton
PR-150-1L.

When I read the product specs online, it says it can be used to turn on
"incandescent and Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting
loads". Here's the link to the product info:

http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibcGe...BE&appName=IBE

Is a CFL bulb a "Rapid Start Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting load"?
Nothing in the specs mentions CFL lighting fixtures, just "Rapid Start
Magnetic fluorescent ballast lighting loads" -- whatever that is.

Also, this light fixture is at the end of a wiring circuit. The existing
fixture is just a bulb holder with a pull chain to turn it on and off.
I'm going to eliminate that fixture, replace it with a CFL-bulb ceiling
light fixture (with no pull chain), and run a new wire from the light
fixture to the new occupancy sensor switch. I was thinking that to do
that, the new wire to the switch would be a "switch loop" since the power
is at the light. I think that means that the switch loop will have a black
wire at the switch and a white wire that is coded black -- in other words,
essentially just two "black" wires at the switch and no neutral white
wire. Is that correct? Will I be able to wire the occupancy sensor light
switch with just these two "black" wires coming to the switch?

The CFL does not have a magnetic ballast, so most likely that motion sensor
won't work.

Most CFLs with magnetic ballasts integral within the "bulbs" (rare
nowadays) and most CFL desk lamps with "wallwart ballasts" (also not very
common) have low power factor. It appears to me that the switching device
in question requires high power factor, meaning incompatibility with even
many to most magnetic-ballasted CFLs.
This also means incompatibility with most fluorescent fixtures for
"bulbs" rated 22 watts or less (with exception for at least some rated
specifically for 17 watts), especially not good with most to nearly all
fluorescent fixtures with starters - regardless of wattage, though most
of those are 22 watts or less and other than 27 watts,
but a few "low power factor ones" may be among the few with starters and
wattages of 26, 28, 30 and 40 watts, 1 bulb per ballast, maybe whatever 32
watt one with a starter that I have low expectation to find existing.

- Don Klipstein )