Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lizard Bait

Member
Location
Naples FL
Two things.
1. Are CFL's allowed in open recessed light fixtures in closets?
2. Are CFL's ul listed to be used in recessed light fixtures?

No recessed fixture lists CFL's in the list of acceptable lamp types to be used. UL does not recognize the complete replacement of all lamps with CFL's and does not list recessed fixtures in any of the general flyers.

how does the field call it?
 
Lizard Bait said:
Two things.
1. Are CFL's allowed in open recessed light fixtures in closets?
Click to expand...

The NEC prohibits open incandescent fixtures in closets. If the fixture is listed as an incandescent fixture that does not change with the installation of a screw in CFL.

So in my opinion the answer is no.


2. Are CFL's ul listed to be used in recessed light fixtures?
Click to expand...

I feel that is irrelevant, the fixture listing is based on the lamp types on the fixtures label.

So IMO, technically the fixture has to list a CFL.
 
Lizard Bait said:
Two things.
1. Are CFL's allowed in open recessed light fixtures in closets?
2. Are CFL's ul listed to be used in recessed light fixtures?

No recessed fixture lists CFL's in the list of acceptable lamp types to be used. UL does not recognize the complete replacement of all lamps with CFL's and does not list recessed fixtures in any of the general flyers.

how does the field call it?
Click to expand...

Interesting.

So what happens in 4 years when incandescent bulbs are outlawed, and there's bazillions of fixtures installed in existing homes that aren't allowed to have CFLs installed? Everyone goes back to the dark ages.....:cool:
 
I've posted this before, but I bought a bunch of CFL's and on the box they say not to be used in recessed cans, but being smarter than the manufacturer I figured what could it hurt? Bulb lasted about 2 hours then went out.

I also agree with iwire and electricguy61.:smile:
 
cowboyjwc said:
I've posted this before, but I bought a bunch of CFL's and on the box they say not to be used in recessed cans, but being smarter than the manufacturer I figured what could it hurt? Bulb lasted about 2 hours then went out.
Click to expand...

Are CFLs rated to be burned "base up"?

I know some incandescents are supposed to be burned base down, and will burn out faster if burned base up.
 
JohnJ0906 said:
Are CFLs rated to be burned "base up"?

I know some incandescents are supposed to be burned base down, and will burn out faster if burned base up.
Click to expand...

It said right on the package "not for use in recessed fixtures". My assumtion is that the heat had something to do with it not lasting. I have some in fans, base up, and don't have any problems with them
 
There are many cfl out there. Many of them can be mounted in any position-- I believe the older generation were more prone to burn out based on the position of the bulb. The ones my supplier sells have no restrictions on them.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
There are many cfl out there. Many of them can be mounted in any position-- I believe the older generation were more prone to burn out based on the position of the bulb. The ones my supplier sells have no restrictions on them.
Click to expand...

Do they also sell new labels for the recessed cans? :grin:
 
iwire said:
Do they also sell new labels for the recessed cans? :grin:
Click to expand...


Maybe soon...:grin:.

The only problem I see with the CFL's in a can, and there are some that are made for cans, is that the fixture is listed as an incandescent luminaire. Someone could reject it because of that. Personally I cannot see the harm, however I do not install them in the cans. After I leave they can do what they want.
 
iwire said:
The NEC prohibits open incandescent fixtures in closets. If the fixture is listed as an incandescent fixture that does not change with the installation of a screw in CFL.

So in my opinion the answer is no.




I feel that is irrelevant, the fixture listing is based on the lamp types on the fixtures label.

So IMO, technically the fixture has to list a CFL.
Click to expand...

Another Code revision to catch up with current technology.

The fixture with the CFL would meet the intent, but not the letter of the 'law'.
 
weressl said:
Another Code revision to catch up with current technology.

The fixture with the CFL would meet the intent, but not the letter of the 'law'.
Click to expand...

I seriously doubt you will see this rule change unless Edison base incandescents are truly eliminated.

Don't forget, almost any fixture type is already available as a listed fluorescent fixture.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
Personally I cannot see the harm, however I do not install them in the cans.
Click to expand...

I have a lot of Edison base CFLs in my home, I like them, but I would not install them in recessed cans. We just had a couple of threads talking about these lamps burning. Fire bad.:smile:
 
JohnJ0906 said:
Are CFLs rated to be burned "base up"?

I know some incandescents are supposed to be burned base down, and will burn out faster if burned base up.
Click to expand...

I search for the ones rate to burn with the base up position and they are not the cheap ones that the POCO give out and they do not last the lenght they say as to many reasons and the first one is improper installation..not only are most not rated base up, they are not rated to burn in the horizontal position..now couple this with the horizontal with 2 bulbs in a glob fixture and they cost more..

now explain to a 70 year old customer why the florescent light the POCO sold them keeps burning out faster then the incandescent ones do..remember to bring your reading glasses or your bifocals so you can read and explain that to the customer..so you can explain to them the ones that work cost twice as much per bulb as the whole package costs..
 
Here's what I've learned....so far.

I installed recessed cans in my kitchen. I decided to try using 14w CFL floods, figuring to save some energy. They worked fine however, I seemed to notice that they were not outlasting my 45w incandescent floods. At over $7.00 a piece at the time, I couldn't see any savings in dollars and the environement certainly wasn't better off. The lamps I was using did not state they were not allowed to be used in cans and yes, I was lazy and didn't check the codes.

It was after I inquired about this on this site that it became clear that they were not rated for use in recessed cans.

Just the other day I was checking out Sylvania's website. I found a chart listing the usess for their CFL products and none of them were recommended for use in recessed cans. Some were rated for outdoor enclosed fixtures though.

Bob
 
bthielen said:
Here's what I've learned....so far.

I installed recessed cans in my kitchen. I decided to try using 14w CFL floods, figuring to save some energy. They worked fine however, I seemed to notice that they were not outlasting my 45w incandescent floods. At over $7.00 a piece at the time, I couldn't see any savings in dollars and the environement certainly wasn't better off. The lamps I was using did not state they were not allowed to be used in cans and yes, I was lazy and didn't check the codes.

It was after I inquired about this on this site that it became clear that they were not rated for use in recessed cans.

Just the other day I was checking out Sylvania's website. I found a chart listing the usess for their CFL products and none of them were recommended for use in recessed cans. Some were rated for outdoor enclosed fixtures though.

Bob
Click to expand...

Yes sir another truth be told..
 
Lizard Bait said:
Two things.
1. Are CFL's allowed in open recessed light fixtures in closets?
2. Are CFL's ul listed to be used in recessed light fixtures?
Click to expand...

Now are we only considering screw-in type CFLs and not DTT/TTT with G24q sockets? Numerous manufacturers make recessed downlights with these lamps that are UL listed. I assume these have no problems because the ballast is farther away from the actual lamp, so no heat problems.

I was shocked when I read this, because every single job I work on has CFL downlights. :D

Keri :D:D
 
considering only screw in CFL's.

All mfg make dtt recessed cans. Therefore the question was asked by another inspector if CFL's were approved for recessed cans such as a H7ICT or equal.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top