Illumination - Fact or Fiction?

More green babbel still asking the question 'Are we being responsible in our use of natural resources?'. This is a simplified dicussion about technical specifications of compact flourescent lighting devices.
For the non-technical, we must depend upon a source that we trust. the government has produced guidelines about how we should live our lives and how to be responsible to our respective resources and communities. In this case the explanation is confusing at best.

the sci guy - Eric Berger writes:

"I guess this is no big deal, and I certainly applaud the message of trying to do right by the planet. And don't get me wrong, it is a good idea to switch to compact fluorescent lightbulbs and take other steps to reduce our consumption of energy. Make that a great idea."

Complete Article - November 17, 2008

Thanks Eric for your views on the initiatives by concerned individuals. But, The specifications on the products themselves are conflicting. (We have seen this kind of deception before. ... they told us smoking was good for you and the municipal water was safe ...)

Further to this, let's be practical. Compact fluorescent lightbulbs also offer some misdirection by being mislabeled. Without exception, if you will read the specifications on the base of each bulb, you will see the wattage, voltage and current (amperage) listed.
For example, a 13 watt unit is listed at 120 volts and 205 milli-amps (0.205 Amperes). By simple electrical calculation W = E * I (wattage = voltage times current). If you do the math 120 x .205 = 24.6w . That is almost 25 not 13.
This can be verified by using an electrician's induction type meter (amp clamp) for measuring the exact current on one lead of a 'pigtail' style socket on an extension cord.

When I questioned one manufacturers representatives, he stated

"... this is a luminousity equivalency rating for full size and compact flourescent tubes
and not the real output rating (of the unit) ...".

This is not the answer required by the conservation conscious individual.
Simple power savings is 25 watts rather than the power consumption of a 60 watt incandescent lightbulb.

The recent safety concerns that were raised about UV radiation because individuals were using these for hoddy wok lights, close reading lights, etc. The rule of thumb is to keep them away from your skin about 12 inches (30 cm) and the ultraviolet rays will ont adversely affect you. I would suggest further away and use a reflector to concentrate the lgiht if you need that kind of light intensity.

A huge caution - the mercury contained in flourescent produts is more toxic than the phosphor coating in the incandescent bulbs. A specific recycling proceedure needs to be put in place for the bulbs that no longer functon. If you break one of these when it is hot - ventilate. DON'T BREATHE the MERCURY VAPOUR! I'm not convinced that this 'green' product has been carefully thought through.

So please, manufacturers and legislators lets use this imposition of 'green consciousness' to support truth. Extend to us as consumers and common people the indication of intelligence and reality that we deserve rather than fiction that is continually perpetrated upon us. We will be able to experience more 'basics' in the standards to which we become educated rather than constant confusion.

I commend each individual that has taken personal initiative to be proactive in becoming green aware - one person at a time. I salute educators that tirelessly promote responsible behavior with the young and old alike. I identify with those that lead by example.


I believe that it is simply a matter of the classic light bulb joke.
Q: 'How many psychaiatrists does it take change a light bulb?
A: It really only takes one but - the lightbulb has got to WANT to change.

note: The author has over 25 years of direct experience in carefully specifying support equipment for modern 'off grid' installations for both residential and scientific communities where reliability and balanced load accuracy is paramount.