I bought a fancy lightbulb "for use only in 120V/60Hz circuits"...?

Question

But the whole USA is 120V/60Hz, right? So there should be no problem, right? But then why do they make a big deal of "for use only in 120V/60Hz circuits"...?

Answer 1

As far as I know, except for 220V outlets (such as you'd plug a dryer or stove into), the U.S. is indeed wired for 110/120V/60Hz power.  Perhaps the bulbs are potentially sold in other countries??

Answer 2

Is it a compact fluorescent (like the one showing up at the right when you start and answer) which would have limitations both as to voltage and hertz.  Perhaps the biggest reason for labeling it so strongly would be people who traveled to the US from countries with other ratings and thought it was cute/neat to buy.

Answer 3

no the USA is not all 120/240,we also use 208v,277v,witch are y taps on transformers,and 480v,and lets not forget 12v and etc,but we all do use 60Hz.there are a lot of idiots in the world who might have used one of these bulbs in a 277v light if it wasn't labeled for 120v only.but really what there doing is protecting them self's from lawsuits

Answer 4

If you notice, every electrical thing you have is marked somewhere on it what voltage it uses.

I had a motor home that used 12 volt light bulbs that looked exactly like 120 volt lights. When it was 'plugged in', and not working on the battery you could change the bulbs. All three of them!