I started using energy saving bulbs, now my socket is shorted and other is crackling like its about to pop?

Question

What can be causing this problem, the bulb or the socket? Please help. Someone who knows.

Answer 1

OK just to clear the air here,
Energy saving bulbs are designed to give same amount of light with less wattage, IE
40 W Incandescent = 15 W Compact Flourescant
60W In. = 20 W CFL
100 W In. = 24 W CFL

And all major manufacturers offer Dimmable models.

As for your fixtures shorting and popping sounds, hmmm thats another issue. I can not think of a way in which a CFL would typically cause a short in your socket so I suspect that it is possible that the bulb was overtightened on installation causing the socket to (possibly) turn and the short occured soon thereafter.
The popping sound can be coming from the CFL.
CFL's like other flourescant bulbs use a "ballast" to initiate the heating of the flourescent gases. Sometimes a ballast can be bad and make noise. (Think overhead lights in typical commercial space when bulbs start flickering, only smaller scale.)
Have a competent person with electrical skills look at the shorted socket and contact manufacturer of the bulb making noise. Many times they will replace a defective bulb free of charge (less S&H)

Answer 2

With the energy saving bulbs you have to make sure you're using the same maximum wattage bulb as before. In other words, if you used 60 watt bulbs before(and that was the max called for), make sure the energy saving bulb is rated at no more than sixty. Also, you can't use the energy saving bulbs in a fixture that has a dimmer.

Answer 3

get an electrician straight away you got serious problems