Re: Insteon and dimmable CF bulbs

I probably should add a bit more info on CFL failure rates. Google on "cfl
early failure".

Here's an excellent whitepaper on the topic, describing the testing that led
to changes in EnergyStar standards in 2003.

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/lightingTransformation/pdf/durabilityTestingFinalReport.pdf

There is an EnergyStar site which lists CFLs which meet their specs.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls

Also, I would give more credence to the length of the manufacturer's
warranty than to their estimated life. Bulb life is inversely related to the
length of on time per turn-on - frequent cycling shortens life.

nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston) wrote:

>I'm not a fan of CFL whether dimmable or not. There continue to be reports
>of high rates of premature failure and the high initial cost is even higher
>if you need to add filters to block CFL noise. (Noise may be less of an
>issue with Insteon.)

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Failure mode for cheap CFL
    ... failure for cheapo CFLs is? ... "Integral electronic ballasts suffer from shortened lifespans ... dependant resistor which is used in some electronic ballast ... shortening tube life if the CFL is subjected to frequent switching. ...
    (sci.engr.lighting)
  • Re: ot CFLs
    ... The things irritate my eyes and seem to interfere with the TV and ... There isn't anything inside a screw-in CFL to hum. ... If you want to open the lamp and dab some superglue on the core ... As for life, it varies widely. ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: OT: Avoid Flu Shots..
    ... incandescent with a 20 watt CFL saves twice that much even should the CFL ... I've never seen one even _approach_ the life of an incandescent. ... and recessed ceiling fixtures. ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: VeraSun to put 7 plants up for auction.
    ... early ones did not last anywhere near their rated life. ... they stated (15 watt CFL for a 60 watt incandescent). ... The 15 watt CFL ... The only ones I've noticed a significant warm up time on are the ones in my bathroom, PO of the house installed this fixture that takes those big round globe bulbs and all the CFLs I've found in that format take waaay longer to warm up than the typical spiral ones. ...
    (rec.autos.tech)
  • Re: Compulsory low-energy light-bulbs
    ... They turned a CFL on and off every two minutes, all but one bulb died around the 6th week. ... Extrapolated to a life of around 5 years. ... How can this extrapolate to a life of 5 years? ... The episode is Session 3, Episode 24 22,000 Foot Fall if anybody cares. ...
    (uk.legal)