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?

Alvin

On Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:43:35 -0500, wrote Re
Looking for facts about fires caused by compact florescent bulbs:

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.

Good idea. BTW, did you notice where they were made?

On Sep 19, 12:43 pm, wrote:

Does anyone know of any facts about fires caused by CF bulbs?

Alvin

I can only offer an anecdote. A few weeks ago I had a 100 watt equiv.
compact fluorescent bulb break and start arcing. I shut it off
quickly, but it became wickedly hot. It was easily in the fire hazard
temperature range. I'm glad I was right there. I searched the net
about similar incidents without success.

It may have been a fluke, but I look forward to the day when there are
cheap LED bulbs that I can use as a replacement. You'd think they'd
make a product containing mercury (like CFs) a little more resistant
to breaking.

On Sep 19, 5:43 pm, 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 expectancy, 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?

Alvin

Nothing per that experience but I have one CFL Marked SE201 15W 120v
60Hz. on desk in front of me.

The reason it was removed from use is because the ceramic (or ceramic
looking) base separated and the lighted part with some components
attached came loose.

This btw is not one of the 'curly' types/ It has four straight tubes
(well actually two tubes looped) each tube is about 7/16 in diam.
about 4 inches long that project straight up from the base. Overall
it's a shade over 6 inches long from tip of the screw in base to far
end of the fluorescing tubes. So it's physically about as long as one
of those incandescent bulbs that are often mounted horizontally above
a picture frame. The ceramic base through which the tubes emerge has
also crumbled slightly.

On other hand we have a plastic cased fluorescent hand inspection lamp
which seems to work well, its fully enclosed bulb flickers once or
twice and then comes on. Appears much safer in a garage or workshop
environment than an incandescent bulb with a hot filament inside a
glass bulb that could be broken.

While this was for its time of purchase a 'cheapie' at about $2 not
impressed with it. It does use less electrcity and it does not get hot
as does an incandescent. But this one definitely does not produce the
same amount of light as say a 60 to 75 watter, as claimed.

In . com, terry wrote:

SNIP
Nothing per that experience but I have one CFL Marked SE201 15W 120v
60Hz. on desk in front of me.

The reason it was removed from use is because the ceramic (or ceramic
looking) base separated and the lighted part with some components
attached came loose.

This btw is not one of the 'curly' types/ It has four straight tubes
(well actually two tubes looped) each tube is about 7/16 in diam.
about 4 inches long that project straight up from the base. Overall
it's a shade over 6 inches long from tip of the screw in base to far
end of the fluorescing tubes. So it's physically about as long as one
of those incandescent bulbs that are often mounted horizontally above
a picture frame. The ceramic base through which the tubes emerge has
also crumbled slightly.

I suspect it is what I call a "dollar store junker", especially if it
has an icy daylight color. I have had a couple come apart that way on me,
one of them doing so even right out of the package.

On other hand we have a plastic cased fluorescent hand inspection lamp
which seems to work well, its fully enclosed bulb flickers once or
twice and then comes on. Appears much safer in a garage or workshop
environment than an incandescent bulb with a hot filament inside a
glass bulb that could be broken.

While this was for its time of purchase a 'cheapie' at about $2 not
impressed with it. It does use less electrcity and it does not get hot
as does an incandescent. But this one definitely does not produce the
same amount of light as say a 60 to 75 watter, as claimed.

In my experience, dollar store junkers produce anywhere from moderately
less light than claimed to less than 1/3 claimed light output, with none
outshining a better 40 watt "standard incandescent" by much or at all;
most claiming 40-125 watts incandescent replacement in my experience
underperformed a better 40 watt incandescent.

- Don Klipstein )

wrote:

story of two CFL bulbs sparking snipped

Does anyone know of any facts about fires caused by CF bulbs?

I've been using CFLs for 6-7 years and haven't experienced any problems
such as you've described. I suspect that if they were any higher-risk
overall the manufacturers would have been sued by now.

Were the two bulbs that died the same brand?

As for life expectancy...CFLs are still fluourescent, and as such the
more frequently you turn them on/off the shorter the lifespan. They're
best suited for lights that get left on for hours at a time.

One rule of thumb that I've read is that if the light will be needed in
the next twenty minutes or so it's better (from a pure financial
perspective) to leave it running than to turn it off and then back on.
Supposedly the increased lifespan makes up for the increased power
consumption.

Chris

Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.

CPSC can be contacted at:

http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html


My quick count shows at least 3 folks in this thread claiming failed
CFLs and
possession of the failed parts indicating severe electronic / electrical
problems.

If you want to have a pessitve effect on what you perceive as a safety
problem,
contact the CPSC. Don't just **** and moan about the issue here.

Wanna bet 99% of the CFLs are made in China and 100% of
failed bulbs are Chinese made?


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?

Alvin

On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content. I can't imagine what I'd have to do
to mail the bulb somewhere without getting fined by the EPA or some
other agency for who-knows-what.

mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual
failed bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and
submit failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content.

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also
drink yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury and
we do need to consider where it will be a major issue if we dispose of
many in landfills. Having one smash in the house is not an issue. Think
about the number of mercury thermometers we used to use and break
without us all going loopy. CFLs are not a health issue to the user;
they could possibly be to those involved in the manufacture and could
also be to future users of the planet if we do not dispose of sensibly.
They are not a hazard to the user!

"clot" wrote in message
...
mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual
failed bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and
submit failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content.

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also drink
yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury and we do
need to consider where it will be a major issue if we dispose of many in
landfills. Having one smash in the house is not an issue. Think about the
number of mercury thermometers we used to use and break without us all
going loopy. CFLs are not a health issue to the user; they could possibly
be to those involved in the manufacture and could also be to future users
of the planet if we do not dispose of sensibly. They are not a hazard to
the user!

Please don't say these things to children, OK?

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in
:

"clot" wrote in message
...
mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual
failed bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and
submit failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content.

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also
drink yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury
and we do need to consider where it will be a major issue if we
dispose of many in landfills. Having one smash in the house is not an
issue. Think about the number of mercury thermometers we used to use
and break without us all going loopy. CFLs are not a health issue to
the user; they could possibly be to those involved in the manufacture
and could also be to future users of the planet if we do not dispose
of sensibly. They are not a hazard to the user!

Please don't say these things to children, OK?




Yes,actually,the amount of mercury in a thermometer IS a health hazard if
released inside one's home.Particularly to children.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

on 9/19/2007 8:36 PM clot said the following:
mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual
failed bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and
submit failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content.

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also
drink yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury
and we do need to consider where it will be a major issue if we
dispose of many in landfills. Having one smash in the house is not an
issue. Think about the number of mercury thermometers we used to use
and break without us all going loopy. CFLs are not a health issue to
the user; they could possibly be to those involved in the manufacture
and could also be to future users of the planet if we do not dispose
of sensibly. They are not a hazard to the user!
ould there be millions of fluorescent tubes going to the landfill every
year? If not millions, many hundreds of thousands?
How many fluorescent tubes are there in major buildings?.What should be
done with them? Should we have hazardous waste companies that deal with
fluorescent lamps? How much would you pay extra for new lamps to offset
this extra cost?
If you go to a large hotel chain like the Hilton, you will find that all
the sconce lamps in the hallways have been replaced with CFLs. They said
it saves them millions of $ a year.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

willshak wrote:
on 9/19/2007 8:36 PM clot said the following:
mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual
failed bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and
submit failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content.

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also
drink yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury
and we do need to consider where it will be a major issue if we
dispose of many in landfills. Having one smash in the house is not an
issue. Think about the number of mercury thermometers we used to use
and break without us all going loopy. CFLs are not a health issue to
the user; they could possibly be to those involved in the manufacture
and could also be to future users of the planet if we do not dispose
of sensibly. They are not a hazard to the user!
ould there be millions of fluorescent tubes going to the landfill
every year? If not millions, many hundreds of thousands?
How many fluorescent tubes are there in major buildings?.What should
be done with them? Should we have hazardous waste companies that deal
with fluorescent lamps? How much would you pay extra for new lamps to
offset this extra cost?
If you go to a large hotel chain like the Hilton, you will find that
all the sconce lamps in the hallways have been replaced with CFLs.
They said it saves them millions of $ a year.

Some waste companies in the UK now collect fluorescent lights separately
from other wastes and apparently recover the mercury.

http://www.biffa.co.uk/content.php?n...uorotubes.html

Actually for the last few years ( in the US) all fluorescent tubes and
other discharge bulbs ( unless they are the newer low mercury type, with
GREEN markings), are supposed to be recycled. At my job we use many thousand
a year, and yes, we do recycle all the non low mercury ones, we put them in
special containers and then they are picked up for mercury recovery..the
hazardous waste company we use for this is Safety clean. I don't pay the
bill but I understand it's actually quite expensive though, unfortunately.


--

Mike S.

"willshak" wrote in message
...
How many fluorescent tubes are there in major buildings?.What should be
done with them? Should we have hazardous waste companies that deal with
fluorescent lamps? How much would you pay extra for new lamps to offset
this extra cost?
If you go to a large hotel chain like the Hilton, you will find that all
the sconce lamps in the hallways have been replaced with CFLs. They said
it saves them millions of $ a year.

"clot" wrote in message
...

This apparent issue about mercury! Salt is bad for you. You can also drink
yourself to death with drinking water. CFLs do contain mercury and we do need
to consider where it will be a major issue if we dispose of many in landfills.
Having one smash in the house is not an issue. Think about the number of
mercury thermometers we used to use and break without us all going loopy. CFLs
are not a health issue to the user; they could possibly be to those involved
in the manufacture and could also be to future users of the planet if we do
not dispose of sensibly. They are not a hazard to the user!

But it's not legal to throw them in your Seattle garbage.

Bob

"mike" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

Right. Better to bitch about it here, where it'll be read by what - 20
people? That's enough of a percentage of the population to allow you to feel
like a real cool guy.



3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content. I can't imagine what I'd have to do
to mail the bulb somewhere without getting fined by the EPA or some
other agency for who-knows-what.

Right. The EPA is underfunded, but they still have someone at every post
office, opening and inspecting packages.

On Sep 19, 6:00 pm, "JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:
"mike" wrote in message

ups.com...

On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.

1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

Right. Better to bitch about it here, where it'll be read by what - 20
people? That's enough of a percentage of the population to allow you to feel
like a real cool guy.


Someone asked. I told my story. Go troll elsewhere.

In . com, mike wrote:
On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.

1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content. I can't imagine what I'd have to do
to mail the bulb somewhere without getting fined by the EPA or some
other agency for who-knows-what.

Bulbs.com ships CFLs UPS Ground, or did so for me in the past, in
packages without any indication of hazardous cargo. I have declared them
at my post office when mailing to a friend across the country for testing
- no problems, no special labels.

In most jurisdictions in the USA, residences can throw out burnt-out
CFLs in regular trash, though it is preferred to take suggestions from
www.lamprecycle.org

- Don Klipstein )

on 9/19/2007 9:15 PM Don Klipstein said the following:
In . com, mike wrote:

On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:

Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.

1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content. I can't imagine what I'd have to do
to mail the bulb somewhere without getting fined by the EPA or some
other agency for who-knows-what.


Bulbs.com ships CFLs UPS Ground, or did so for me in the past, in
packages without any indication of hazardous cargo. I have declared them
at my post office when mailing to a friend across the country for testing
- no problems, no special labels.

In most jurisdictions in the USA, residences can throw out burnt-out
CFLs in regular trash, though it is preferred to take suggestions from
www.lamprecycle.org

- Don Klipstein )


I put my shop's 4' fluorescent tube bulbs in a trash can lined with a
trash bag. I then break them with a hammer or other hard object so they
fit in the can. :-)

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

mike wrote in
ups.com:

On Sep 19, 3:43 pm, jJim McLaughlin
wrote:
Those in the US who have anecdotes, or more importantly, actual failed
bulbs,
should contact the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and submit
failed
bulbs for inspection.


1. It's been several weeks. The bulb is long gone.

2. Even if I had it, I can't see going through the hassle of
submitting a bulb.

3. I wasn't too fond of dealing with the broken bulb at all,
considering the mercury content. I can't imagine what I'd have to do
to mail the bulb somewhere without getting fined by the EPA or some
other agency for who-knows-what.



once the CF bulb breaks,the mercury is released. It vaporizes at room temp.
So,handling the remains is not going to contaminate you any further.
the threat then is from the phosphors on the broken glass pieces getting in
a cut.

If you want to ship the CF bulb,put it in a Ziploc bag,then box it for
shipping.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

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've used CFLs throughout the house ( with the exception of the kitchen
where we use striplights) for more than 20 years with little problem.
I've had one where the glass cracked but didn't fall out of the fitting.
Mostly, they have done what was said on the box. Usual life has been 6
to 8 years, though I've also had some early failures as I have in
earlier years with filament bulbs.

I'm happy with my energy bills and I hope I've reduced my footprint on
the planet. This nonsense about mercury is just that!

"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

on 9/19/2007 9:01 PM JoeSpareBedroom said the following:
"clot" wrote in message
...


This nonsense about mercury is just that!


You're an idiot.

Every fluorescent bulb and every neon tube has mercury in them. They
have been like that for decades. Let's close Times Square and Las Vegas.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

"willshak" wrote in message
...
on 9/19/2007 9:01 PM JoeSpareBedroom said the following:
"clot" wrote in message
...


This nonsense about mercury is just that!


You're an idiot.

Every fluorescent bulb and every neon tube has mercury in them. They have
been like that for decades. Let's close Times Square and Las Vegas.
Bill


I guess if we were to multiply by ten the number of bulbs being tossed in
landfills, the mercury levels around those landfills won't rise.

Right?

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in
:

"willshak" wrote in message
...
on 9/19/2007 9:01 PM JoeSpareBedroom said the following:
"clot" wrote in message
...


This nonsense about mercury is just that!


You're an idiot.

Every fluorescent bulb and every neon tube has mercury in them. They
have been like that for decades. Let's close Times Square and Las
Vegas. Bill


I guess if we were to multiply by ten the number of bulbs being tossed
in landfills, the mercury levels around those landfills won't rise.

Right?




Compared to your average coal-fired electric generating plant,it's trivial.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

I hate guesses, so I googled-

http://www.informinc.org/fact_P3fluorescentlamps.php

It's a green group, but I doubt they could get away with
mis-information for long ;-)

I have a hundred cfl's in use from the original LOA 22w
circlines to the latest 4w mini cfl's. I've had maybe eight
failures and two "catastrophic", a bright flash and that was
all. I marker the year installed, the backdoor 12w U tube
is still running on a 1987 tube, but the 4w mini died in a
year. I'm not including three 13w spirals and two 22w circs
I flat out dropped (broken) over time.

I agree with Don, there are a lot of poorly built
counterfeit cfl's from China at the "junk" dollar stores.
(not the Dolgen and Family Dollar like chains) Even the UL,
ETL, etc marks are counterfeit.

I do return bad products, even the "no returns" junk stores
at least gave store credit for something else.
Manufacturers are very sensitive about bad/poor products.
Usually they already became aware of the problem and have
generous coupon programs to buy redesigned or other products
they make.

They really do want happy customers. Dad had a "lifetime
guarantee" pocket lighter he bought during WWII, the
manufacturer replaced it 3 times when it "wore out" during
his lifetime. It pays, he also faithfully bought their other
products.

Unfortunately, the high tech products / services companies
haven't seen the light yet... But if we are willing to
accept some of their crap, shame on us!

-larry / dallas

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

I'm saying that the concern about mercury has been grossly over-hyped.
Read earlier post!

"clot" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

I'm saying that the concern about mercury has been grossly over-hyped.
Read earlier post!

The problem with what you're saying is that by the time a landfill is
leaching too much mercury into local groundwater, it will be too late to do
much about it, except perhaps to inform nearby residents that from now on,
they can forget using tap water for cooking, drinking, or brushing their
teeth. Remember, too, that this is America, where 54% of the population
thinks environmentalists are communist homosexuals, so nothing gets done
about pollution problems until it literally hits home.

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

I'm saying that the concern about mercury has been grossly
over-hyped. Read earlier post!

The problem with what you're saying is that by the time a landfill is
leaching too much mercury into local groundwater, it will be too late
to do much about it, except perhaps to inform nearby residents that
from now on, they can forget using tap water for cooking, drinking,
or brushing their teeth. Remember, too, that this is America, where
54% of the population thinks environmentalists are communist
homosexuals, so nothing gets done about pollution problems until it
literally hits home.

I appreciate what you are saying. I'm all for minimising materials going
into landfills - it's part of my professional life. I'm familiar with
the problems that old landfills have caused, am aware of the Superfund
program and also the costs! I have visited one such east of LA.

Modern landfills are designed to avoid groundwater problems and the
leachates are collected and treated prior to being discharged to
watercourses. However, I do believe we should reduce our dependence upon
them and find better solutions - one such is incineration of organic
fractions utilising the heat and power, but just watch the NIMBYs come
out to play if one is proposed in the neighbourhood!

In article ,
"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote:

"clot" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

I'm saying that the concern about mercury has been grossly over-hyped.
Read earlier post!

The problem with what you're saying is that by the time a landfill is
leaching too much mercury into local groundwater, it will be too late to do
much about it, except perhaps to inform nearby residents that from now on,
they can forget using tap water for cooking, drinking, or brushing their
teeth. Remember, too, that this is America, where 54% of the population
thinks environmentalists are communist homosexuals, so nothing gets done
about pollution problems until it literally hits home.

54%? Don't you mean 94%?

"JoeSpareBedroom" wrote in
:

"clot" wrote in message
...
JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"clot" wrote in message
...

This nonsense about mercury is just that!

You're an idiot.

I'm saying that the concern about mercury has been grossly
over-hyped. Read earlier post!

The problem with what you're saying is that by the time a landfill is
leaching too much mercury into local groundwater,

How does mercury leach -into groundwater? (and what form does it take?)
Doesn't it combine with other elements in the soil?
ISTR that fish pick up mercury from eating bottom stuff,not from water
intake.

it will be too late
to do much about it, except perhaps to inform nearby residents that
from now on, they can forget using tap water for cooking, drinking, or
brushing their teeth. Remember, too, that this is America, where 54%
of the population thinks environmentalists are communist homosexuals,
so nothing gets done about pollution problems until it literally hits
home.






--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

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 )

"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...

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").


Where do you "hear" these things? Might be interesting to share the
source(s) in the newsgroup.

In article , JoeSpareBedroom wrote:
"Don Klipstein" wrote in message
...

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").

Where do you "hear" these things? Might be interesting to share the
source(s) in the newsgroup.

Mostly private e-mails drawn to me by my website, what gets posted in
sci.engr.lighting and here and misc.consumers and
misc.consumers.frugal-living, a couple websites easy enough to find by
googling CFL scorched flame,
experience of entire apartment complexes that I have lived in...

- Don Klipstein )

On Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:05:17 +0000 (UTC), (Don
Klipstein) wrote:

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").

Are the "Dollar Store" brands any different than the others? They are
all most likely made in China, and very likely all the same maker.
Then the are given a brand name. In my opinion, they are all the
same, except for the price. It's just like (flashlight type)
batteries. I can buy Duracell or other name brands for $5 (four AAs),
or buy a generic package for $2. They all last the same amount of
time. They are all likely made at the same place too.
Even if the "name brands" last an hour longer, consider that I can buy
2 and a half times the amount if I chooose the generic brand.

In article ,
wrote:
On Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:05:17 +0000 (UTC), (Don
Klipstein) wrote:

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").

Are the "Dollar Store" brands any different than the others? They are
all most likely made in China, and very likely all the same maker.
Then the are given a brand name. In my opinion, they are all the
same, except for the price.

I see major differences in:

* Amount of light produced
* Truthfulness in claim of light output
* Color of light
* Color rendering properties of the light
* Accuracy in statement of power consumption
* Rate of early failures
* Rate of failures with smoke, loud sounds, burning glow in base
* Rate of strange flickering, strange heating of the base
* Construction quality - croooked assembly, some come apart easily
* Presence/absence of UL and FCC certification

- Don Klipstein )

Don Klipstein wrote:
Are the "Dollar Store" brands any different than the others? They
are all most likely made in China, and very likely all the same
maker. Then the are given a brand name. In my opinion, they are all
the same, except for the price.

I see major differences in:

* Amount of light produced
* Truthfulness in claim of light output
* Color of light
* Color rendering properties of the light
* Accuracy in statement of power consumption
* Rate of early failures
* Rate of failures with smoke, loud sounds, burning glow in base
* Rate of strange flickering, strange heating of the base
* Construction quality - croooked assembly, some come apart easily
* Presence/absence of UL and FCC certification


Other than that, they're pretty much the same, right?

On Sep 19, 2:43 pm, 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?

Alvin

I hate em, to the core of my being I hate em, except in the outside
fixtures where they last long. They make a bad humming sound, put
interference on the power line, and generally give off ugly light,
contain mercury, etc. Now with your fire post I hate em even more, I
never really thought of that.

In article om, RickH wrote:
On Sep 19, 2:43 pm, wrote:

I hate em, to the core of my being I hate em, except in the outside
fixtures where they last long. They make a bad humming sound, put
interference on the power line, and generally give off ugly light,
contain mercury, etc. Now with your fire post I hate em even more, I
never really thought of that.

I like the light of most spirals up to 23 watts, and few of them hum -
none in my experience so far when they have "Energy Star" approval. OK,
many do hum fainly enough to hear faintly from 1 foot away, and then only
in some fixtures.

I get little interference, usually none. Ones with electronic ballasts
are subject to FCC approval. (Dollar store junkers usually lack
indication of this.)

- Don )

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 don't think there have been any.

There are 1.5 million Google hits on "fire+CFL," but most seem to be fans
ranting about some coach in the Canadian Football League.