Fluorescent lightbulbs a fire hazzard?

Question

We had a fluorescent lightbulb in our young daughter's room. GE brand, 15 watt. It was placed in the ceiling light fixture about a year ago with just a standard square glass covering over it, (not completely enclosed). The light started flashing on and off by itself so my husband turned off the light at the switch. Several minutes went by and then we could smell that "electrical/plastic" fire smell. We frantically located the source and found that the bulb apparently had been on fire as scorch marks are coming out of the inside of the casing that holds the lightbulb threads in place. (Scorch marks from within the lightbulb itself) We have never heard of problems with these types of bulbs and have actually heard of only positive things such as with energy savings. Is this a common problem with the bulbs or a potential problem with the light fixture? I'm afraid to use her light without getting it checked into first.

Answer 1

I bought a compact fluorescent bulb a few years ago and loved it. In fact it is still in use in my basement. I think the think cost like $8.

Then about a month later I saw a three pack of a "cheaper" brand on sale for the same price. Since I liked the $8 one so much, I bought the three pack.

ALL THREE BULBS leaked a fluid out of the little ballast? casing on the bottom of the bulb. One did it in the first week, the other two a few weeks later. One even MELTED! I was shocked. I was also lucky I didn't catch something on fire. Even though the $8 is still working fine I never bought another one.

Just be careful of the quality of items. You really do get what you pay for.

To answer your question, what you describe is rare, but it obviously happens. Try an incandescent, you should be fine. If it doesn't work, flip the switch back off and call an electrician to take a peek at it.

Answer 2

It sounds like the ballast resister went bad. This happens when a fluorescent light is older or defective. It can get really hot which caused the scorching you saw. The fixture should be fine, try a regular bulb the worst that will happen is it will trip a breaker if something is wrong with the wiring or the fixture.

Answer 3

In almost 40 yrs in construction/maintenance, I never ever heard of this happening, so I would have to sat this is an isolated incident. Id get a electrician to check the wiring to the light for possible damage and then replace the light itself to be safe. The flourescent light does save energy and is safer on the eyes. Ive heard some minor bad things about the ballast that starts the light itself, but never the tubes themselves.

Answer 4

Compact fluorescent bulbs are great! It sounds like the internal ballast is burning out. This will cause "scorching" and, possibly but not likely, a small flame. When fluorescent bulbs start oscillating (flickering) they are telling you that they have come to the end their useful life. These bulbs are excellent energy savers and I would encourage you to continue using them. I have never heard of them becoming a hazard when used properly. Dispose of this one and replace it, they don't last forever.

Answer 5

I advise you google "compact fluorescent bulbs" which will clarify what they are made up of. there's a small quantity of poisonous fabric, so that is ideal even as they spoil to open the living house windows for clean air, and sweep up any powder and glass gently so as no longer to spread it around the position you may inhale it. I broke a 4-foot fluorescent tube in 1970 and that i'm nonetheless ok.

Answer 6

We have had about 30 fluorescent bulbs in operation for several years and have never had a problem nor had I heard of it before.

Answer 7

This a rare problem. They put out less heat than a incandescent bulb and are much safer. Replace it with another and take back the old old

Answer 8

i would think not because so many times i play catch in the basement (finished) and i have broken many light bulbs and never have i known for a light bulb to cause a fire

Answer 9

Have repaired and replaced these fixtures for 23+ years. Never seen one that burned.