Re: [GBlist] compact fluorescent base etc

[David Bergman <bergman@cyberg.com>]

Not exactly,  There are two general types of CFL's. The ones you're talking 
about are categorized as incandescent replacement bulbs. All fluorescent 
bulbs require a ballast (sort of like a transformer) and the ballast on 
that type of CFL is part of the bulb. It's that solid part at the base of 
the bulb. Dedicated CFL's on the other hand, can not be interchanged with 
incandescent bulbs. The ballast on those is separate, either next to or 
remote from the socket, and they have a different type of socket. The 
advantages are (1) that you don't have to throw away the ballast when you 
replace the bulb (the ballast lasts much longer than the bulb) and (2) a 
user cannot replace it with an incandescent bulb.

That's why an Energy Star light fixture cannot use the first type of CFL.

I've written articles about the need for a third type of CFL: one as 
compact as the integral ballast type, but not interchangeable with 
incandescents. We'd see a lot more residential type CFL lamps if that were 
available.

Alan Courtright wrote:
>I thought the whole point of CFLs was that they screw into ordinary light
>bulb bases?  Even hardware stores have those.
>
>On Fri, 22 Nov 2002, Sacie Lambertson wrote:
>
> > I've called local electrical houses and searched the Internet and can't
> > find a base for  compact fluorescent lamps (bulbs).  I am making and
> > having made several items that use CFLs.  I therefore need the entire base
> > for these--this would include the socket and what holds the socket, all of
> > which could be fastened securely onto a frame---I've  heard various
> > terminology for what I need, fixtures, hardware, base etc but no one seems
> > to know where one gets these.  Where are the people who make these parts
> > for lamps etc.?  Sacie Lambertson
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________________
> > This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
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> > ______________________________________________________________________
> >
>
>                          -|//*Alan Courtright*\\|=
>                                 Poulsbo, WA
>                              acourtri@krl.org
>
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________________
>This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
>Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
>Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
>______________________________________________________________________


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


______________________________________________________________________
This greenbuilding dialogue is sponsored by REPP/CREST, creator of
Solstice http://www.crest.org, and BuildingGreen, Inc., publisher of
Environmental Building News and GreenSpec http://www.BuildingGreen.com
______________________________________________________________________