Energy savers globes?

Question

when a lamp says max 60 watt can i put and energy saver globe that is 15watts that is equivalent to 75 watt output ? or even 20w energy saver globes are equivalent to 100w or even 18W=(90W)

Answer 1

energy saving lamps are induction devices, old type bulbs are resistive devices.  the iee wiring regulations state that flourescent lighting like energy savers should be multiplyed by 1.8 to give the true value

therfore a 14 watt bulb x 1.8 = 25.2 watts

i am fairly sure that your light fittings will take any of the energy saving bulbs although you cannot use them on fittings with dimmer switches. hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think when they say maximum wattage of the bulb you can put in is something to do with heat distribution of conventional bulbs and fittings. The larger wattage the bulb is, the more heat the bulb gives out and the hotter the surrounding area gets. Other considerations such as wiring and switch itself, they are probably designed to only take a certain wattage bulb. When they say 18W fluorescent bulb is equivalent to 90W bulb, what they are really saying is the light level given out by this bulb is equivalent to a 90W conventional bulb, I would say it is quite safe to put one in as long as the wattage is not over the maximum stated.

Answer 3

yes because your nrg efficent bulbs run at 15-20 watts, not 60watts.

Answer 4

This is really two issues:  will the fixture ratings be exceeded, and will the lamp ratings be exceeded?

The fixture can only dissipate a certain amount of heat without getting too hot.  If you put an 18-watt CF into a globe rated at 60 W, it will be running at less than 30% of its heat ratings (a CF is about 25% efficient so 18 W in means about 13.5 W of heat).

The other issue is the lamp.  If you have an enclosed globe lamp, it won't have as much air circulation as an open fixture.  The CF is designed to be in fairly open fixtures and will get much warmer in an enclosed globe.  If its temperature rating is exceeded, its life may be shortened.

HTH.

Answer 5

sure can.  Wattage limits have to do with heat.  Incandescent bulbs get very hot.  CFLs don't get nearly as hot.  

Watch the color and lumens output of the bulb you purchase - most give off a blue hue that are hard to get used to.  The whiter the happier you'll be.  More lumens will mean brighter light.