Dimming Fluorescent Switch
 |
 LuxStar8 4 T5 Fluorescent Light Grow Bulbs $254.50 Time Remaining: 29d 21h 44m Buy It Now for only: $254.50 |
 LuxStar8 4 T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Hydroponic Bulb 750481 Grow Phase $239.99 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $239.99 |
 120 WATT LED GROW LIGHT INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL GROWING G8 LED $189.99 Time Remaining: 11d 15h 18m Buy It Now for only: $189.99 |
 LuxStar 4 Foot Hydroponic T5 Fluorescent Light with Six 6500K Grow Bulbs $189.95 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $189.95 |
 240 WATT LED GROW LIGHT Bloom Booster INDOOR HYDROPONIC or SOIL GROWING $284.95 Time Remaining: 19d 2h 6m Buy It Now for only: $284.95 |
 Hydroponic 4 Foot T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture w Bloom Bulbs $209.95 Time Remaining: 26d 3h 55m Buy It Now for only: $209.95 |
 LuxStar6 4 T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Hydroponic Bulb 750461 Grow Phase $199.99 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 LuxStar6 4 T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Hydroponic Bulb 750462 Bloom Phase $199.99 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 864 WATT LED GROW LIGHT INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL GROWING G8 LED $949.95 Time Remaining: 2d 1m Buy It Now for only: $949.95 |
 240 Watt LED Grow Light Indoor Hydroponic or Soil growing G8 LED $303.95 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 50m Buy It Now for only: $303.95 |
 Hydroponic 4 Foot 6 bulb T5 Fluorescent Light Fixture w Grow Bulbs $209.95 Time Remaining: 26d 3h 58m Buy It Now for only: $209.95 |
 Hydroponic 4 Foot T5 Fluorescent 8 Light Fixture w Grow Bulbs $252.95 Time Remaining: 26d 4h 11m Buy It Now for only: $252.95 |
 LuxStar8 4 T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Hydroponic Bulb 750482 Bloom Phase $239.99 Time Remaining: 14d 2h 53m Buy It Now for only: $239.99 |
 450 WATT LED GROW LIGHT INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL GROWING G8 LED $569.95 Time Remaining: 16d 9h 36m Buy It Now for only: $569.95 |
 600 WATT LED GROW LIGHT INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL GROWING G8 LED $712.45 Time Remaining: 18d 4h 47m Buy It Now for only: $712.45 |
 Hydroponic 4 Foot T5 Fluorescent 8 Light Fixture w Bloom Bulbs $252.95 Time Remaining: 26d 4h 5m Buy It Now for only: $252.95 |
 LuxStar 4 Foot Grow Light T5 Fluorescent Lights Comes w Eight 6500K Grow Bulbs $229.95 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 13m Buy It Now for only: $229.95 |
 90 WATT LED UFO GROW LIGHT All Red Flowering Boost INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL $142.49 Time Remaining: 17d 5h 3m Buy It Now for only: $142.49 |
 90 WATT LED GROW LIGHT INDOOR HYDROPONIC OR SOIL GROWING G8 LED $142.49 Time Remaining: 17d 4h 33m Buy It Now for only: $142.49 |
 LuxStar 4 Foot Plant Grow T5 Fluorescent Lights Comes w Eight 3000K Bloom Bulbs $229.95 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 12m Buy It Now for only: $229.95 |
 Hydroponic LuxStar 4 Foot T5 Fluorescent Light Fixtures w 6 3000K Bloom Bulbs $189.95 Time Remaining: 23d 8h 54m Buy It Now for only: $189.95 |
Fluorescent lights and remote controlled switches
I have a remote switch for my lighted ceiling fan and another for an overhead light in the den. Both said not to use fluorescent bulbs so I haven't. But I wonder why. A friend says this is because fluorescents will not work if the dimmer switch is at less than peak power. This sounds logical, but is there some safety consideration for not using fluorescents?
More to the point, if the prohibition against fluorescents is related to the dimmer switch, can I safely use them in the overhead light in the den, which has no dimmer function, i. e., it's a simple on/off?
Thanks for your assistance. Pat M
Standard dimmer switches work by reducing the voltage flowing to the fixture. Standard CFLs do require full voltage to function properly, so your friend is correct on that one. There are some CFLs available that are compatible with standard dimmers, check the package and expect to pay a bit more.
The fan is an issue as well. Ceiling fans create vibrations that are not good for the CFL. This will shorten the life of the bulb. Some fans are worse than others. Again, you can get CFLs that are built to take the extra vibrations, expect to pay more and I am not sure you will find one that is rated for fan vibration and use in a dimmer.
The electronic controls are an issue for two reasons. Some electronic switches change the frequency of the power going to the fixture due to the nature of the switching circuitry. This is not an issue at all for incandescent bulbs, but a big issue for CFLs. They require the frequency to stay in the 50-60 hertz range to operate properly. This problem can cause the bulbs to run dim, fail early, or just not work. If the switch or fixture states that it is not compatible with CFLs, this is probably why. I don't know of any compatible bulbs for these.
None of these are really safety concerns, using a CFL should not cause a fire or bulb explosion or any other catastrophe. Bulbs may not work or may fail prematurely. Nothing more.
