[SustainableTompkins] more on CFLs

[GayNicholson at aol.com]

I had received a second report of an "exploding" CFL, and asked NYSERDA if  
they knew of an explanation.  Below is some information from a lighting  
specialist.  I had never heard of this "end of life" protection for Energy  Star 
bulbs.
 
 
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Greetings - 

With the ENERGY STAR  Lighting training scheduled for the Capital/Saratoga, 
Finger Lakes and  Mid-Hudson regions, I bring to your attention Gay Nicholson's 
e-mails regarding  exploding CFLs.   We have asked ICF International, who 
addresses the issues  of CFL quality and specifications about this problem and 
their response is  : 

ENERGY STAR CFLs and  fixtures require end-of-life (EOL) protection that 
shuts off the current to the  lamp after the lamp has failed.  Most CFL explosions 
are the result of  cheap CFLs not having EOL protection – what happens is the 
once the lamp cathode  fails the ballast continues to send current to the 
cathode.  That current  has to go somewhere and sometimes it causes an arc to the 
glass tube wall  causing the glass to crack/break.   With EOL protection the 
ballast will  shut off the current to the lamp after the lamp cathode fails.  
It is  interesting to note that manufacturers had problems with this in the 
early 90’s  but most quickly overcame the problem by designing simple EOL 
circuits.    

Again, I want to point out that none of the  negative emails you received 
specifically mentioned that the problem products  were ENERGY STAR qualified.  As 
CFLs become more popular and manufacturers  try to drive down the price, 
quality issues may arise. That is why it is so  important that we help consumers 
understand the difference between poor quality  energy-efficient products and 
ENERGY STAR qualified products that must meet  strict energy and quality 
standards. 

If you receive  information on any ENERGY STAR products having this problem, 
please forward us  the specific brand and model number and we will make sure 
that the information  gets to the proper authorities.  ENERGY STAR 
manufacturers are subject to  certain procedures if products in the marketplace are not 
performing to the  specification requirements. 

Sincerely, 
Jeffrey Schwartz, LC, IESNA 
ICF International 
Lighting Technical Specialist 
2021 Western Avenue 
Albany,  NY 12203 
518-452-5986 phone  
518-452-2149 fax 
518-424-5736 cell 
_jschwartz at icfi.com_ (mailto:jschwartz at icfi.com)  NEW  email address 
_www.icfi.com_ (http://www.icfi.com/)     NEW web site 

----------------------------------------------------
Gay  Nicholson, Ph.D. 

607-533-7312 (home office)
607-279-6618  (cell)

1 Maple Avenue
Lansing, NY  14882
gaynicholson at aol.com

Sustainable Tompkins 
Program  Coordinator 
w_ww.sustainabletompkins.org_ (http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/) 

Southern Tier Energy$mart Communities
Regional  Coordinator
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
615 Willow  Ave., Ithaca, NY  14850
agn1 at cornell.edu