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Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
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CFL Light Bulbs


cfl bulb Summary: The Benefits and warnings about CFL Compact Fluorescent Lamps. I personally enjoy the lighting output of CFL Light bulbs and the benefits of reducing our electric bill. We have been using CFL light bulbs in just about every standard light fixture inside our home.

Home Lighting: Avoid CFL Light Bulbs Dangers
Although I have seen controversial reports about mercury content I still continue to use CFL bulbs however I agree that there are a few things to be warned about.

I have a few light fixtures in my office that have CFL bulbs installed to help reduce the watt consumption. One day I was surprised when one of the CFL Bulbs began to shoot out a yellowish discharge into the room along with a terrible odor. I immediately turned off the light fixture and opened the office windows and closed the door to keep the odor from spreading into the rest of the house. After exhausting the room with the help of the ceiling fan I removed the bulb and took it outside where I placed it in a plastic bag.

Following is another story that came to my attention that I feel you should know about.

A Safety Warning about a Possible CFL Light Bulb Danger
Below is a picture of a CFL light bulb from my bathroom. I turned it on the other day and then smelled smoke after a few minutes. Four inch flames were spewing out of the side of the ballast like a blow torch! I immediately turned off the lights. But I'm sure it would have caused a fire if I was not right there. Imagine if the kids had left the lights on as usual when they were not in the room.
cfl bulb danger  
I took the bulb to the Fire Department today to report the incident. The Fireman was not at all surprised and said that it was not an uncommon occurrence. Apparently, sometimes when the bulb burns out there is a chance that the ballast can start a fire. He told me that the Fire Marshall had issued reports about the dangers of these bulbs. Upon doing some Internet research, it seems that bulbs made by “Globe” in China seem to have the lion’s share of problems. Lots of fires have been blamed on misuse of CFL bulbs, like using them in recessed lighting, pot lights, dimmers or in track lighting. Mine was not in any of those. It was a normal light socket. I bought these at Wall-Mart. I will be removing all the Globe bulbs from my house. I have not decided yet if we are going back to incandescent bulbs at this point. Just thought you should know.
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Questions about CFL Lamps
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Electrical Tip

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wiring!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester, [amazon.com], I use for the detection of Standard Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

Questions and Answers about Wiring Light Fixtures