| Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs: The Twistie | |
Compact fluorescent light bulbs or "twisties" are verycommonplac e now.
People are enjoying the savings from these products and have learned to modify their expectations of the light colour produced by these bulbs. |
| Blackening and Discolouration | |
You may have noticed or been concerned to see a browning of the light at the base where it screws into the lamp.
Is that dangerous and a fire hazard? Is the bulb defective?
The Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) has received numerous inquiries about this blackening from concerned consumers and has answers for us. |
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Death of a Lightbulb -
(with apologies for weak allusion to Arthur Miller's classic novel) | |
 | | Death of a Lightbulb |
When a incandescent light bulb (traditional bulb) dies, it usually pops with a quick flash of light when you first turn it on.
When twisties come to the end of their useable lifespan, how they expire can vary depending on the manufacturer of the twistie, and on the type and location of the lighting fixture being used. When twisties fail, they may emit smoke, an odour, or a popping sound. The plastic base may become discoloured, charred or deformed.
Certification agencies have advised that this failure DOES NOT present a shock or fire hazard for approved products. |
| Recognized Certification Marks | |
To make sure you are using approved products, you need to look on the  device for certification symbols like the CSA symbol or the ULc certification marks. The small c on the marks indicate "OK for use in Canada"
Inexpensive, knock-off products run the risk of being a fire hazard and they often bear counterfeit certification logos. The best way to avoid these inferior products is to buy from reputable retailers, check for the certification marks and don't be penny-wise-and-pound foolish.
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| When to Replace a Twistie | |
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As a safety precaution, ESA encourages consumers not to wait until the light blows, but to replace CFLs at the first sign of failure or aging.
The early warning signs to look for include: flickering, a bright orange or red glow, popping sounds, an odour, or browning of the ballast enclosure (base). |
| Choosing the Correct Bulb | |
 | | Rule of thumb for CFL usage |
Twisties are not universal. Different CFLs are required for different applications and use.
The rule of thumb is as follows: unless otherwise specified, CFLs should not be used in totally enclosed recessed fixtures, with dimmer switches, in touch lamps with photocells or with electronic timers, where exposed to weather, or where exposed to water.
New products on the market have made choosing the right bulb for the job more challenging. The length of the bulb aisle at our local retailers is solid proof of this. |
this spring: 