This on occasion has been known to cause other problems such as increased line harmonics and interference with infrared control devices, but the pros outweigh the cons. Compact fluorescents refer to a fluorescent lamp that has its size reduced either by being coiled or folded to produce the effect of a long tube in a small space.
The ballast is built into the lamp base. Such types can be used as a direct replacement for standard Edison Screw or Bayonet lamps. However, dimming performance is poor.
Even "Dimmable" versions of the integrated CFL do not provide smooth dimming through a wide range. Non-integrated Compact Fluorescents have a separate ballast, similar to a standard fluorescent tube. Dimmable ballasts are available for non-integrated compact fluorescents, and do provide reasonable dimming performance. Compact fluorescents must be burned in at full for hours before dimming see additional info below.
Failure to do so will lead to blackening and premature failure of the lamp. It is important to realise when dimming fluorescents that it is impossible to create a smooth transition between "off" and a level. Because light is generated by a discharge through gas, similar to an arc lamp or neon tube, there will always be a "jump" in light level when the tube initially strikes.
The brightness to which the level "jumps" is determined by the ballast - see the section below on dimmable percentages. Always remember when dimming fluorescents, performance will not be the same as a traditional, dimmable, incandescent lamp.
Fluorescent fixtures are dimmed using a special dimmable ballast. This is because standard ballasts typically do not have the ability to maintain electrode heat to the degree required for proper gas excitation when input voltage is varied.
While magnetic dimmable ballasts do exist, almost all dimmable ballasts these days are electronic. Electronic ballasts vary the frequency at which they run the lamps without changing the electrode voltage and are therefore able to get a much wider range of dimming. Ballasts are commonly referred to by the number of wires that feed them.
There are three different ballast types that are available in the US V 60Hz market. Ballasts come in 2-wire, 3-wire, and 4-wire models. These are very common ballasts and the easiest to install. They are installed and controlled on one dimmer just as you would an incandescent source except that a bottom-end threshold is set.
This setting keeps the lamps from running below their recommended voltage, preventing premature failure of both lamps and ballasts. To dim a reverse phase ballast you will need to use a reverse phase dimmer module such as ETC's ELV10 dimmer in a compatible dimmer rack.
These ballasts are also common and are usually quite inexpensive. However, they use two dimmers for control and power as they require a dimmed hot, a switched hot, and a neutral ground is understood. Because dimming CFL bulbs are designed to work with dimmer switches, they will not harm the bulb or the dimmer switch.
Herb Kirchhoff has more than three decades of hands-on experience as an avid garden hobbyist and home handyman. Since retiring from the news business in , Kirchhoff takes care of a acre rural Michigan lakefront property and applies his experience to his vegetable and flower gardens and home repair and renovation projects. So be sure to tell all your friends: non-dimmable CFLs shouldn't be plugged into dimmer switches.
Not everybody takes the time to read the warning labels on everything they buy, but this is something we should all be aware of. On a final note, for clarity, dimmable CFLs are fine. You'll want to pair them with the right type of dimmer to get the best performance, but you don't have to worry about them catching on fire.
Skip to main content. By Peter Troast January 21, But don't worryyou can install most new switches in an older house so long as you carefully follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If you have any questions about whether a specific switch is compatible with your wiring or a specific bulb or light fixture, contact the manufacturer's technical service department. Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories.
0コメント