Compact fluorescent in clothes closet

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rcarroll

Senior Member
Only if it has a completely enclosed lamp. The idea is to not be able to change out the CFL to an incand. lamp. Besides, with #2, the fixture itself has to be a flourescent type.
 

SEO

Senior Member
Location
Michigan
I agree with iwire. If the compact fluorescent went bad who's to say that a standard incandescent lamp wouldn't be installed.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
If the compact fluorescent went bad who's to say that a standard incandescent lamp wouldn't be installed.

Very true.

I would add that the NEC section specifies a fluorescent luminaire it makes no mention of a fluorescent lamp.

Look to the UL listing tag to see what kind of 'luminaire' it is. :)
 

Jim W in Tampa

Senior Member
Location
Tampa Florida
Very true.

I would add that the NEC section specifies a fluorescent luminaire it makes no mention of a fluorescent lamp.

Look to the UL listing tag to see what kind of 'luminaire' it is. :)

Is it not a fluorecent luminaire if it has a flor. lamp in it ? Is that shell limited to use ? We might be at another one of then WHAT IF situations. If it has the right lamp now then why tag it based on what could happen ?
 

Cavie

Senior Member
Location
SW Florida
I agree with iwire. If the compact fluorescent went bad who's to say that a standard incandescent lamp wouldn't be installed.

I had issues with this problem with shower lights. They make an open shower trim listed for wet locations with a special coated bulb installed.
I said what's to stop the HO from installing a standard incandescent lamp. My AHJ said they were listed and leagle.
 

iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
I had issues with this problem with shower lights. They make an open shower trim listed for wet locations with a special coated bulb installed.
I said what's to stop the HO from installing a standard incandescent lamp. My AHJ said they were listed and legal.

Inspect for whats there now, not what may happen in the future. :)

Inspecting for what might happen in the future would be like a cop handing out speeding tickets to people who own sports cars because they might speed in the future.
 

LarryFine

Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
Location
Henrico County, VA
Occupation
Electrical Contractor
Inspecting for what might happen in the future would be like a cop handing out speeding tickets to people who own sports cars because they might speed in the future.
You say that like cops aren't supposed to do that. ;)
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
Is it not a fluorecent luminaire if it has a flor. lamp in it ? Is that shell limited to use ? We might be at another one of then WHAT IF situations. If it has the right lamp now then why tag it based on what could happen ?

The can would be listed as an incandescent luminaire. Placing a compact flourescent bulb into a listed incandescent luminaire does not change the listing of the luminaire.

Chris
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
I had issues with this problem with shower lights. They make an open shower trim listed for wet locations with a special coated bulb installed.
I said what's to stop the HO from installing a standard incandescent lamp. My AHJ said they were listed and leagle.

I agree with the AHJ.

This is no different then if a homeowner chooses to install the wrong wattage incandescent bulb in a luminaire when the original bulb burns out.

Chris
 

cowboyjwc

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Simi Valley, CA
Is it not a fluorecent luminaire if it has a flor. lamp in it ? Is that shell limited to use ? We might be at another one of then WHAT IF situations. If it has the right lamp now then why tag it based on what could happen ?


The reason the NEC changed the word "fixture" to "luminaire" is that a lumiaire is the fixture including the bulb. An incandesent fixture with a fluorecent bulb in it, is still and incandesent fixture. So I would not allow it in a closet unless it met all of the requirements.

Put lipstick on a pig............
 
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Very true.

I would add that the NEC section specifies a fluorescent luminaire it makes no mention of a fluorescent lamp.

Look to the UL listing tag to see what kind of 'luminaire' it is. :)



Sometimes it is difficult to separate in our minds what is written and what we read.
As Bob has mentioned, it specifically states luminaire, not lamp type.

A CFL may be permitted in the incandescent type fixture if there is a lense.
But....be careful about installing CFL in a totally enclosed fixture. There may be heat issues and fire issues. Check out the listing of both the luminaire and the lamp to make sure it is a suitable installation.
 
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