CFL ballast design, and using dead lamps for repair

[Spehro Pefhany]

The offshore manufacturers are probably not easy to get substantial
judgements against- but the stores, especially those who do their own
importing, have deep pockets and can't easily escape.

They do have a good defense though- if it has safety agency approval,
it's presumed to be safe. Maybe report it to the safety agencies- but
I don't see anthing there that would really raise the alarm-
incadescents break and short internally and implode from time to time,
and none of the burn- through incidents shows support of combustion.
Any fixture designed for a normal incandescent ought not to burn the
office or house down. The one that 'exploded' is the closest one- the
mfr may have substituted a cheaper non-fiberglass sleeving on that
diode.

P.S.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11001.html

Sold at: Discount stores in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Connecticut from January 2008 to December 2008 for between $1 and
$1.50.

Manufactured in: China

 

[Phil Allison]

"Spehro Pefhany"

I only buy name brand (eg. Philips) products though, and probably
they're made a bit better than the ones that come 8 to a card. Never
seen any perforation of the housings on failure.

** The plastic bases of most CFLs simply push fit together - so only a
small explosion inside will blow the top part off.

Small bits of glass were strewn from one end of the kitchen to the other (
when I arrived with my camera ) and some bits had landed on the benches -
so it seemed the spiral tube must have exploded in mid air. The filaments
were both intact so the only explanation I have is that the glass spiral
impacted hard against the inside of the lamp fitting before falling in
pieces.


.... Phil

 

[George Herold]

The offshore manufacturers are probably not easy to get substantial
judgements against- but the stores, especially those who do their own
importing, have deep pockets and can't easily escape.

Grin sure sue everyone,

They do have a good defense though- if it has safety agency approval,
it's presumed to be safe. Maybe report it to the safety agencies- but
I don't see anthing there that would really raise the alarm-
incadescents break and short internally and implode from time to time,
and none of the burn- through incidents shows support of combustion.
Any fixture designed for a normal incandescent ought not to burn the
office or house down. The one that 'exploded' is the closest one- the
mfr may have substituted a cheaper non-fiberglass sleeving on that
diode.

OK maybe it will be the insurance company lawyers sueing for fire
damage.

I haven't had many problems with cfl's, except for globe units in the
(steamy?) bathroom.

George H.

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

** The plastic bases of most CFLs simply push fit together - so only a
small explosion inside will blow the top part off.

If they come apart easily by pulling and expose the mains potential, I
would not think that would pass muster with the safety agencies. It's
been a while since I've tried to take one part, but I recall whole
rows of snaps that are not easy to disengage.

Does Australia enforce national safety standards on the sale of
mains-powered goods?

Small bits of glass were strewn from one end of the kitchen to the other (
when I arrived with my camera ) and some bits had landed on the benches -
so it seemed the spiral tube must have exploded in mid air. The filaments
were both intact so the only explanation I have is that the glass spiral
impacted hard against the inside of the lamp fitting before falling in
pieces.


... Phil

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany

 

[Phil Allison]

"Spehro Pefhany"

"Phil Allison"

If they come apart easily by pulling and expose the mains potential,

** See the word "explosion " ??

A tool ( ie screwdriver) is needed to open most CFLs and that is adequate
to pass safety rules anywhere.


.... Phil

 

[Spehro Pefhany]

"Spehro Pefhany"


** See the word "explosion " ??

An explosion like "pop rocks" or an explosion like Bikini atoll? Maybe
your mains has more oomph, but I've not seen anything that would blow
apart a proper housing from a residential power line.

A tool ( ie screwdriver) is needed to open most CFLs and that is adequate
to pass safety rules anywhere.


... Phil

Best regards,
Spehro Pefhany