Why can't one use a compact fluorescent bulb with a dimmer?

Question

So apparently, it's not dangerous on a dimmer, it just won't work?

I had visions of my house blowing up!

Answer 1

A lower setting would never allow the ballast to fire up the bulb, it is either on or off, nothing in between.

Answer 2

Well with original bulbs different the filament is resistive which means it resists the flow of electricity and the more electric current you force through it the brighter the filament shines. With a compact fluorescent bulb there is a thresh-hold if you will. You have to get the voltage up to a certain level and the gases inside the bulb ignite and shine. If you use a dimmer on one then they work when you have full power but if you dim it down it goes below the on/off thresh-hold and doesn't dim. Its either on or off. I have also heard you can damage the fluorescent this way as well and its suggested that you dont do it. Well that's all I know/think.

Answer 3

The incandescent bulb lights from heating a small fine tungsten filament to near white heat. When the dimmer cuts the voltage the heated filament doesn't glow as much and the light output is even less efficient (less lumens of light per watt) than at full voltage.

The compact fluorescent (CF) requires a minimum voltage to excite a conducting gas (is my best understanding and description) whose energized particles strike a phosphor. The phosphor fluoresces and provides much more light per watt. The CF's advantage is that. Lots more light for the money. The "price" you pay is CF's are a little more costly per bulb ($1.50 to 2.50) but last longer than incandescents usually. While the incandescents (including halogens) can be aesthetically more versatile (and do work on dimmers).

Answer 4

because a dimmer limits the voltage to a bulb, and a fluorescent bulbs need the full 120 volts to make the gas inside "light"