X10 Community Forum

🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => Topic started by: Brian H on October 05, 2009, 06:40:57 PM

Title: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: Brian H on October 05, 2009, 06:40:57 PM

I found this link on the Coccoontech web site.

http://sound.westhost.com/articles/incandescent.htm

I did some tests of my own with a GE 20 Watt CFL Bulb. A Kill-A-Watt meter.
Alone it draws around 300 Ma on the meter.
With an older LM465 Lamp Module it draws 420 Ma at 100%. When dimmed it goes to over 1 amp.
On a socket rocket it draws between 330 to 360 Ma.

The readings include 30 Ma the LM465 draws. I could not get a reading for a socket rocket alone.
I also tried a multimeter and it msut have not liked the waveform as it read about 150 Ma with the LM465 and it went down slightly as it was dimmed, but blew the 500 Ma safety fuse in the meter.

The site also has data on other things like LED lights and dimmers.

http://sound.westhost.com/index2.html

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: dave w on October 05, 2009, 07:47:22 PM

Quote from: Brian H on October 05, 2009, 06:40:57 PM

With an older LM465 Lamp Module it draws 420 Ma at 100%. When dimmed it goes to over 1 amp.

Wow, where is the extra current going I wonder. Did the CFL get hot?

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: Brian H on October 06, 2009, 06:21:57 AM

I didn't run it very long in that condition.  I guess it would not be good for the CFL to run it that way for very long.

The article seems to show the modified AC causes the CFL to be hit with brief but high currents.

I finally found the paper thin  instructions for the Kill-A-Watt. It indicates the Amps reading is True RMS. That could be why it takes about five seconds to even display a reading. Maybe calculating.

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: Brian H on October 06, 2009, 06:30:26 PM

Did one more test today.
A Smarthome 2000SHL X10 only Lamp Module and a Smarthome 2856D2B Icon [Insteon and X10] Lamp Module.
Same CFL as previous tests and the Kill-A-Watt Meter.
Both when off draw 0.060 Amps [60 Ma.]
Bulb when fully warm 0.280 Amps [280 Ma]
2856D2B at full on 0.360 Amps [360 Ma]
2000SHL at full on 0.580 Amps [580 Ma]
So it looks like the actual hardware design and CFL Ballast Design may make a big difference on how the combination acts.

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: luisc202 on October 09, 2009, 03:02:10 PM

Quote from: Brian H on October 06, 2009, 06:30:26 PM

Did one more test today.
A Smarthome 2000SHL X10 only Lamp Module and a Smarthome 2856D2B Icon [Insteon and X10] Lamp Module.
Same CFL as previous tests and the Kill-A-Watt Meter.
Both when off draw 0.060 Amps [60 Ma.]
Bulb when fully warm 0.280 Amps [280 Ma]
2856D2B at full on 0.360 Amps [360 Ma]
2000SHL at full on 0.580 Amps [580 Ma]
So it looks like the actual hardware design and CFL Ballast Design may make a big difference on how the combination acts.

Brian,

so oyu can use a socket rocket with a CFL?   From what I read I thought you cold not do that..   

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: dave w on October 09, 2009, 06:20:19 PM

Quote from: luisc202 on October 09, 2009, 03:02:10 PM

so oyu can use a socket rocket with a CFL?   From what I read I thought you cold not do that..   

Barging in to this conversation; yes, Sockets Rockets and CFLs play nice togeather (at least they do in our home).

Title: Re: Using Dimmers with a CFL bulb information
Post by: Brian H on October 09, 2009, 07:01:47 PM

Yes for most they do. I did see a slight increase in the CFL current when on a Socket Rocket. Most likely not enough to shorten the CFLs life or enough to notice a difference.