Death of an Energy Efficient Spiral Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb

http://kempton.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/death-of-an-energy-efficient-scfl-bulb/ This Energy Efficient Spiral Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb started to flicker and I thought it was going to die pretty soon. So I took my camera out and decided to shoot a video of its death. What I didn't expect was the chemical burning smell that came afterwards. I am glad there wasn't any fire but the chemical smell was so strong that I opened the window for half an hour.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Death
• Energy
• Efficient
• Spiral
• Compact
• Fluorescent
• Light
• Bulb

[jecwhiz]

you were lucky here, some people weren't lucky and gets their house on fire!!!!

[KemptonLam]

@jecwhiz Thanks. I've seen reports of those unlucky cases on TV.

[BenHutchinson321]

@jecwhiz

I've heard DOZENS of reports of people on the TV news who say they had it burn out like this and were afraid the danger MIGHT exist that it could burn down a house However not a single incident exists in which a house fire damaged or destroyed a house which was started by a fluorescent bulb.

Don't worry, the bulbs are engineered better than you think.

[KemptonLam]

@BenHutchinson321 If you google CBC News with the title "Light bulb faulted in Whitehorse house fire", you will find a report on February 29, 2008

[nerdngong]

The majority of these bulbs just quit, but I've seen this happen in person twice. The first one flickered, I left the room. When I came back, it was out and the bulb was smoking. Carbon Monoxide detector was present in the room, and it was showing "62", so it releases carbon monoxide as well, and yes, there was a smell. The other that failed like this just went "poof" when we turned the lights on, followed by the smell.

[KemptonLam]

@nerdngong Thanks for sharing your different experiences.

[SleestaksRule]

@jecwhiz I was one of the unlucky ones. I posted my fire damage photos. Careful using CFL bulbs!

[dalvarez724]

hey everyone! watch the video "Mr. Fluorescent Lasts Longer!" it's the funniest thing ever!!

[FlyingAxblade]

i hate laptops...no need to post this. I just had 400 characters of me describing my CFL's activity and stupid laptop mouse (which otta be my cell phone port) cleared my intentions of filming another flickery cfl too late. i hope i didnit get poisoned!

[Mr3wheeledbike]

i never had one die on me ever still waiting i guise