For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

Anyone like to tell me why.

I was thinking of taking the bulb out of the outside light which is also run
off a timeswitch and replacing it with a LE ESLB.
--
the_constructor

the_constructor wrote:

For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

Anyone like to tell me why.

I was thinking of taking the bulb out of the outside light which is also run
off a timeswitch and replacing it with a LE ESLB.
--
the_constructor

I can only assume they're prohibiting modern wholly electronic time
switches where the switch is a semiconductor device, just like a
dimmer, which have problems with loads which aren't purely resistive.
However, if your time switch is the older type with a relay or
cam-driver mechanical switch which is effectively no different to a
wall switch, I can't see why it shouldn't work. Indeed, I have two ES
bulbs on such a timer myself for a Christmas display.

Chris

In article ,
"the_constructor" writes:
For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

Anyone like to tell me why.

Some time switches and photo cells power themselves through
the filament even when the bulb is off. This means they don't need
a neutral connection and can be used in place of a light switch.
This doesn't work with compact fluorescent though. Your timeswitch
presumably has a neutral connection and doesn't power itself through
the lamp, so it should be OK.

I was thinking of taking the bulb out of the outside light which is also run
off a timeswitch and replacing it with a LE ESLB.

Depends what type of timeswitch.

--
Andrew Gabriel

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:06:49 -0000 someone who may be
"the_constructor" wrote this:-

For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells" [snip]

I was thinking of taking the bulb out of the outside light which is also run
off a timeswitch and replacing it with a LE ESLB.

What sort of timeswitch?

I can think of a few outslide energy saving lights that are
controlled by a timeswitch and photocell, which have worked for over
a decade.


--
David Hansen, Edinburgh
I will *always* explain revoked encryption keys, unless RIP prevents me
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/00023--e.htm#54

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 16:06:49 -0000, the_constructor wrote:

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not
suitable for use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

For want of better description the lectronics of a dimmer will "fight"
with the elctronics of the CFL. CFLs don't like short cycles which could
be generated by "time switches", which covers things like push for light
communal hallway switches, or photo cells. If your time switches turn on
for several hours at a stretch I shouldn't worry about it.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail

In uk.d-i-y the_constructor wrote:
For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

They are not for electronic timeswitches, as they may malfunction.
Cheap mechanical ones will work fine.

"Ian Stirling" wrote in message
...
In uk.d-i-y the_constructor wrote:
For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged
into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable
for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

They are not for electronic timeswitches, as they may malfunction.
Cheap mechanical ones will work fine.

Oh goody. Mine are the cheapo's.

Thanks everyone
--
the_constructor

"Andrew Gabriel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"the_constructor" writes:
For some years now, we have had a standard lamp and a small table lamp in
the lounge both with low wattage energy saving light bulbs in, plugged
into
a time switch then plugged into the wall socket.

Just been looking through a catalogue and it says I quote; "Not suitable
for
use with dimmers, time switches and photo cells"

Anyone like to tell me why.

Some time switches and photo cells power themselves through
the filament even when the bulb is off. This means they don't need
a neutral connection and can be used in place of a light switch.
This doesn't work with compact fluorescent though. Your timeswitch
presumably has a neutral connection and doesn't power itself through
the lamp, so it should be OK.

I was thinking of taking the bulb out of the outside light which is also
run
off a timeswitch and replacing it with a LE ESLB.

Depends what type of timeswitch.

Reading through the replies (and they are varied) this is the correct one
(IMO).

What you may find, with electronic timers and LE bulbs, is that even when
off, the lamp will give a quick flash now and then. This happens as charge
builds up in the electronics of the lamp, until it reaches striking voltage,
then flashes to release the charge.

-- JJ

On Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:25:00 GMT, "Jason"
wrote:


Depends what type of timeswitch.

Reading through the replies (and they are varied) this is the correct one
(IMO).

What you may find, with electronic timers and LE bulbs, is that even when
off, the lamp will give a quick flash now and then. This happens as charge
builds up in the electronics of the lamp, until it reaches striking voltage,
then flashes to release the charge.


That might happen. I don't know about it being "The correct one".

If the timeswitch requires a mains supply which it can only get
through the lamp (typical 2 wire setup, lamp and timeswitch in series)
and the LE lamp when off does not pass enough current to sustain the
time switch then the net result will be a total failure to operate not
some minor nuisance flickering.

DG

Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

wrote in message
ups.com...

ES
bulbs ... Christmas display.

Jason wrote:


Reading through the replies (and they are varied) this is the correct
one (IMO).

What you may find, with electronic timers and LE bulbs, is that even
when off, the lamp will give a quick flash now and then. This happens
as charge builds up in the electronics of the lamp, until it reaches
striking voltage, then flashes to release the charge.

Huh? I think you'll find the correct answer is there isn't enough current
drawn through the ELS lamp to operate the electronics of the more
sophisticated timers. Cheapo timers which use the neutral and switch a relay
will be ok.

--
Malc

"AFB Mr Tracey."
"Underbirths are og"

Les Barker - Irrational Neutscene