• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Are there any dangers in putting a compact fluorescent light bulbs in an enclosed space?

J

JackBurton

Lifer
I find it highly unlikely, but an employee at Lowe's informed my parents that putting a compact fluorescent light bulbs in something like a ceiling fan that looks like this, may cause the bulb to explode because it is enclosed and needs to be used in a well ventilated area. That doesn't make sense to me, but what do I know about light bulbs. It seems that he may be confusing it with halogen bulbs. Now that I could understand. Anyone heard of anything like this?

 
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: isekii
don't CFL's run much cooler than Halogen bulks ?
Click to expand...

MUCH cooler. That is why I'm going, WTF?
Click to expand...

that's what I thought, If it ran hotter, i'd understand, but don't get why it would explode.

Maybe the bulb in the CFL are much more heat sensitive ?
 
Even if it exploded it just pops and the lights go out. 😉

Best thing to do is try it out. After running the lamp for an hour, remove the globe and feel the base of the CF lamp. This is where the driver is and if the outer plastic shell is too hot to hold for a sec or two then there's a good chance temps are too high and it will be prone to premature failure.

Sometimes these things fail in a way that a fault is created and when you short a small path or trace across the lines on the utility mains you will get a small pop as the breaker opens. Unless you have a Federal Pacific panel then LOOK OUT! Can you say Silver Salute firecracker? :laugh:
 
Yes. By placing a compact florescent bulb into an enclosed area, beta particles will accumulate over time. Eventually, the bulb will produce a thermonuclear explosion that will cause minor harm anyone standing within a 5ft radius.
 
I just put in 8 today, and they were rated for enclosed spaces right on the package. Read the package, all might be fine.

I feel better with these cooler bulbs in an enclosed space.
 
fluorescent no need air. as matter of fact air is bad for it if it get in.
the fluorescent is timed so it shuts of the arc at the right time because the process is self sustaining and will go out of control so extra air is very bad idea
 
Originally posted by: madeupfacts
fluorescent no need air. as matter of fact air is bad for it if it get in.
the fluorescent is timed so it shuts of the arc at the right time because the process is self sustaining and will go out of control so extra air is very bad idea
Click to expand...

Your name makes this credible.
 
Fluorescent lights do explode if you drop them... I have the scar to prove it. However, I've never heard of one of them exploding by iteself.
 
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Even if it exploded it just pops and the lights go out. 😉

Best thing to do is try it out. After running the lamp for an hour, remove the globe and feel the base of the CF lamp. This is where the driver is and if the outer plastic shell is too hot to hold for a sec or two then there's a good chance temps are too high and it will be prone to premature failure.

Sometimes these things fail in a way that a fault is created and when you short a small path or trace across the lines on the utility mains you will get a small pop as the breaker opens. Unless you have a Federal Pacific panel then LOOK OUT! Can you say Silver Salute firecracker? :laugh:
Click to expand...
......

I have a Federal Pacific panel..... 🙁

lol

 
Originally posted by: madeupfacts
fluorescent no need air. as matter of fact air is bad for it if it get in.
the fluorescent is timed so it shuts of the arc at the right time because the process is self sustaining and will go out of control so extra air is very bad idea
Click to expand...

Actually this is the failure mode of the high pressure sodium lamp. As the arc gets harder to sustain the lamp will extinguish and re-strike once it cools down. This signals time to relamp. Unlreated to this thread, but I thought it was surprisingly similar. :Q

Originally posted by: Eli

I have a Federal Pacific panel..... 🙁

lol
Click to expand...


Not all of them are affected by the "fire hazard" status but if you have one that is better be careful. The only thing worse than snakes on a plane is having a 120V snake in your kitchen that feeds mister coffee going apeshit shooting copper slag all over the place as it spews 4000 watt balls of ionized copper plasma at you like a cobra with rabies! :laugh:
 
Have a look at the bulb's documentation. Some CFL's say they can't be in anything that's enclosed, others are ok with it.


Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Not all of them are affected by the "fire hazard" status but if you have one that is better be careful. The only thing worse than snakes on a plane is having a 120V snake in your kitchen that feeds mister coffee going apeshit shooting copper slag all over the place as it spews 4000 watt balls of ionized copper plasma at you like a cobra with rabies! :laugh:
Click to expand...
I'm not entirely sure what this is describing (a melting electrified wire?), but I like it.😀
 
You should be fine. IMO that's the best kind of fixture to put a CFL in, LESS chance of it (the fixture) overheating and the frosted globe evens out some of the not-so-asthetically-pleasing shape of the CFL.

Offhand, I have had by far the best luck with the CHEAP house brand (commercial electric?) CFLs that Home Depot sells. I have returned a number of more expensive ones because I didn't like the light output or the way they started. All the HD ones are still going strong after 3 years.

In some fixtures I have mixed and matched, usually with a very low wattage (15w - 25w) standard bulb next to the CFL, just to make a slightly warmer/more pleasing light.

 
i have 2 100w replacement cfl bulbs in my celing light with a cover, nothing has happened yet


ill get back to you if anything happens (unless im dead) 🙁
 
lol, alright guys. I just have 15w bulbs and didn't think it would be an issue. Just checking to make sure I didn't overlook something.

And swtethan, I'll get back with you...unless I'm dead too. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7

I'm not entirely sure what this is describing (a melting electrified wire?), but I like it.😀
Click to expand...

On long runs there is often enough resistance that CB's don't trip. Combine that with the relatively smaller gauge wire used on things like lamp cords and you have something close to electric cordite. :Q

The wire will heat up, the insulation will burn - even the heat resistant coatings used on heaters, irons, etc known as "HPN" - will soften under this much heat. So the frightened/terrified owner tries to yank the cord from the wall only to find (hint: when yanking a cord the success is inversely proportionate to how perpedicular you are from the socket!) that the insulation now peels back exposing lots of wire that touches and now you have a serious situation! It crackles, pops, spits green fireballs. It's really cool and frightening at the same time. Now if you really want to see something cool you should see what happens when sea water splashes over 240V floor receptacles! No touching of anything needed! :Q

EDIT:

The better brands of CFL's are Osram and Philips. Lights of America are the worst.
 
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
120V snake in your kitchen that feeds mister coffee going apeshit shooting copper slag all over the place as it spews 4000 watt balls of ionized copper plasma at you like a cobra with rabies! :laugh:
Click to expand...

It makes me so hot when you talk dirty.

Again! Again!

😀
 
Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Even if it exploded it just pops and the lights go out. 😉

Best thing to do is try it out. After running the lamp for an hour, remove the globe and feel the base of the CF lamp. This is where the driver is and if the outer plastic shell is too hot to hold for a sec or two then there's a good chance temps are too high and it will be prone to premature failure.

Sometimes these things fail in a way that a fault is created and when you short a small path or trace across the lines on the utility mains you will get a small pop as the breaker opens. Unless you have a Federal Pacific panel then LOOK OUT! Can you say Silver Salute firecracker? :laugh:
Click to expand...

what.
 
Originally posted by: Nohr
I don't know about exploding but it will shorten the bulbs life afaik.
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I have used compact fluorescents since 2000. They are all over the house. The only ones that failed were in a globe. I didn't know any better at the time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top