Compact fluorescent bulb burns PNNL staff

PNNL ^ | 18, 2013 | Staff

[Rabin]

A PNNL staff member removed a burned-out compact piggy tail light bulb in his home and replaced it with a new one. When he turned on the switch, only a portion of the new bulb lit up. Assuming it was defective, he turned off the switch to remove it. Grasping the bulb, he felt a pain as if he had been cut by glass, and found a small, burn. Removing the bulb, he noticed the plastic base (see pix) was blackened at the point where it connected to the mercury tube.

[NCC-1701]

“...LED lamps are rated for 25,000 hours...”

That’s just under three years of continuous use. But how many of us leaves a light on for three years straight?

[yarddog]

Yes, mercury fascinated us as kids. It behaved so strangely. You could coat a penny with it and make people think it was a dime, at least until it turned dark.

Just putting it on a desk and playing with it was interesting.

I would never do any of that now but I do suspect it may not be quite as dangerous as everyone says. Still it pays to play it safe.

[Paradox]

Thanks for the tip. Like I said, the LED's are now in the price range where I will be checking them out.

Interesting what you noted, I have noticed that the wattage ratings of various lighting methods don't necessarily correspond to a particular level or "quality" of lighting.

[FredZarguna]

CFL luminosities are always overrated if you ask me; of course I have a prejudice against 'em.

The LED is, of course, more directed, so the illumination tends to fall directly on your workspace, which is why I like them so much in my office and in the workshop and garage.