From: "TKM" 
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: can light bulbs be a fire hazard? 
Date: Sat, 16 Jul 2005 14:05:26 GMT


"George"  wrote in message 
news:5ZIze.148910$nG6.23148@attbi_s22...
> Hello. I was wondering what the maximum wattage you can use in a lamp or 
> light fixture and it still be safe. My question is would a 40 or 60 watt 
> bulb be a fire hazard if a lamp got knocked on the carpet or something for 
> a extended period of time?
>
> I understand that your not suspose to exceed the rating for whatever your 
> using the bulb.
>
> I have also experimented with the cf bulbs and they seem a little harder 
> on the eyes and slowly degrade in brightness. not really sure if they are 
> worth it to pinch a few pennies. You also have to factor in that they cost 
> more up front.
>
> thanks

Sure, there can be a fire hazard; but electric lighting is very safe 
particularly when operated as intended because of numerous safety standards 
by UL, CSA and others for light fixtures.

Incandescent light bulbs, however, are not covered by those standards since 
they are a "part" rather than a light fixture.  Oddly enough, compact 
fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are covered by safety standards -- or at least the 
screw-in types are -- because they have a built-in ballast and are 
considered a complete fixture.

But, just about the worst thing you can do from a fire hazard standpoint is 
to put a high-wattage bulb in a fixture not designed for it.  Most fixtures 
(including table lamps) are marked to show the maximum bulb wattage to use. 
Changing to a CFL is a good idea because there is more light for the wattage 
used and its the watts that generate the heat.

Remember too, that it's O.K. to turn on another light.  You can get 
multiple-bulb fixtures or a small task light to boost up the lighting level 
on a book or other small area.  A good rule is to have general illumination 
at a relatively low level throughout a room and then boost that level with 
an accent or task light where needed.  That saves energy too.

CFLs don't save penniers.  They save dollars.  A 100 watt bulb can be 
replaced by a 26 watt CFL with no loss of light averaged over time.  If you 
pay 10 cents per kilowatt hour for your electricity (that's low for many 
areas; I pay 13 cents), then your savings each year are $7.40 per socket 
assuming you operate the CFL 1000 hours each year.  Year-after-year, that 
adds up.

I've put CFLs in my sockets that are used for a couple of hours or more 
every day.  They don't make sense for a closet socket where the light is 
only on for a few minutes.

TKM