"=" wrote:
"Rick" wrote in message
...

"Joe Mastroianni" wrote in message
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On Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:51:27 -0500, Dan Espen wrote:

Nothing to worry about except the fire then...

I personally doubt it will cause a fire - but I must say that I'm not
sure (which is why I asked).


Nothing specific about about the lamp itself, but

http://thenewsherald.com/articles/20...e262649155.txt

Interesting -- sounds like the fixture might have been an old halogen
torchiere which indeed is a fire hazard for lots of reasons including the
high possibility of curtains/drapes blowing onto the hot surface of the
bulb. A few years ago, (1992-97) articles reported that halogen torchiers
were favorites of college dorm students as they could cook on them using the
dimmer to control the heat. Some of those torchieres used 500 watt bulbs
and then, later on, 350 watt bulbs.

But, what triggered the demise of halogen torchieres was the fire that
destroyed the home of Lionel Hampton. When the cause of that fire was traced
to a torchiere, people got excited, the CPSC got involved, UL tests were
changed to require a wire or glass guard around the bulb. Then, as energy
laws were passed in various places, torchieres had to become more efficient
and did so by a redesign using CFL bulbs. Some manufacturers also
redesigned torchieres into floor lamps. Here's the story:

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Torchi...sh.-a019090478 and

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1...amps-torchiere

Tomsic

I converted a 500 watt sky lamp to CFL many years ago. It was very good.
Nice color temp, but of course not as bright as 500 watt. Even used same
dimmer.
Bulb bought at The Home Depot many years ago, as a dim able CFL. It was $
15-20 back then, and apparently a quality lamp.

Greg