What would happen, if I used a small 220V fluorescent bulb in a 120V lamp with 120V power?

Question

I find Fluorescent bulbs for a very low price, here in China. I'm thinking of buying some to take home.

Answer 1

Nothing will happen because the bulb is under voltage. The built in ballast is designed to work on 220v and the voltage applied is only half that is required to initiate the conductance of the fluorescent bulb.

The 220v rated fluorescent bulbs (those with built in ballast) will not work on 120vac supply.

Answer 2

If they work like other electronic devices, the output will simply not be what you are expecting. In your case the output will be weaker than if it was on a 220v circuit. The light it emitts will be less.

Take a blender for example, it is rated for 220v. You plug it in a 220v socket then it should run normally. Plug it in 120v and it will not be as powerful.

Just dont plug a 120v bulb in 220v. Now that would be dangerous.

Answer 3

Flourescent bulbs with 220 v rating and used in the 120 V supply, I think this won't work because flourescent need correct voltage supply to work and this is sensitive if the supply with dropped to some extent. Then how much more if the supply itself is very less. For the incandescent bulb it will only that the amount of power delivered will drop to 1/4 of its rated power.

P= V^2/R , where the supply voltage is V and bulb resistance is R.

Answer 4

Fluorescent bulbs aren't rated as to their voltage. The ballast is voltage rated.
What you are going to have to do it find out what kind of ballast you have and buy bulbs to match that ballast.

Answer 5

you know what i say? give it a shot. buy those chinese light bulbs. put on some rubber gloves when you get home and screw those babies in. live dangerously for once in your life!