Re: GBlist: Re: CFL fixtures

[David Bergman <bergman@cyberg.com>]

Julie Rehmeyer wrote:
>I need some more basic information.  What exactly is a fixture for
>compact flourescents, and how does it differ?  Given that the compact
>flourescent lightbulbs are available that fit into any fixture, I
>don't quite understand the issue.
>
>Thanks in advance for CFL 101.
>
>Julie

Julie,

This thread has been dealing with both basic types of CFL's: ones that fit 
into standard incandescent sockets and ones that fit "dedicated" CFL-only 
sockets.

The former are considered replacement bulbs -- you can substitute them for 
regular screw base incandescents. They are more wasteful in terms of having 
to discard the ballast with the bulb (most types), and since the user could 
put back an incandescent bulb when the CFL burns out, there's no assurance 
of the fixture actually saving energy.

Fixtures for the latter cannot take incandescent bulbs and are, therefore, 
sometimes considered "true" fluorescent fixtures. The ballasts are separate 
from the bulbs, so when the bulb burns out, you don't have to throw out the 
ballast as well. (The bulbs are supposed to last 10,000 hours, while 
ballasts last 40,000 or more hours.)

Hope that helps.

David Bergman
David Bergman Architect/Fire & Water Lighting + Furniture
bergman@cyberg.com    http://www.cyberg.com
t 212 475 3106    f 212 677 7291

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