For maximum wattage allowed on a fixture, do you use a CFL's incandescent equivalent or its effective wattage?

Question

Several of my CFL bulbs shorted out after a month of use and the seller said I voided the warranty because I placed a 200-watt equivalent bulb in a 60-watt maximum fixture, but the bulb used only 42 'effective' watts.

Tinkertailor: The fixture is on a ceiling fan, it is partially enclosed.

Answerman: No, its not on a dimmable fixture.

I don't really care about getting back a few bucks but am concerned about safety as the seller claimed I could set my home on fire if I kept using the CFL bulbs that way. I've used a lot of CFL bulbs the same way before and this is the first time I've had any problems.

Answer 1

Your seller cannot void your right for claim based on "equivalent power". The fixtures are rated for actual power. Equivalent power is a marketing number only.

They probably figure you are not going to take them to court for a few dollars worth of bulbs and they may be correct since it may not be in your interest. However, consider taking your complaint higher through their organization or direct to the manufacturer.

Definitely take this further with your seller, he is scaremongering to save you trying to get your money back off him. Report him.

Answer 2

The claim is nonsense and is designed to discourage you from making a further fuss . The fixture's rating is based on heat dissipated and therefore the appropriate figure to use is the actual wattage, not the "equivalent" wattage.

But is the fixture on a dimmer? Most CFLs will burn out if you use them in a circuit with a dimmer control. There are a few that are dimmable, but they are extra costly.

Answer 3

You are comparing apples to oranges, the rating on the fixture applies only to the fixture, if a 60W fixture had failed with a 42W bulb in it you would have a claim. But the components in the CFL ballast are much more heat sensitive than the socket and wiring in the fixture itself, or the glass and metal of a conventional incandesent. Is the fixture partially or completely enclosed?

Answer 4

Use the true power drawn by the CFL, in this case 42 Watts. The fact that it purports to make as much light as a 200W incandesant bulb is not relevant.

If anything, the CFL produces less heat than even a standard 42W bulb, so it should stress the fixture even less than that.

Answer 5

You use the effective wattage or the actual wattage the lamp will draw. The equvalent rating is simply a marketing method to provide a comparison in light intensity verses energy consumption.

Answer 6

U were right and I have had several failures in the CFL.