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Strange activity from a compact fluorescent bulb...

75.26.23.148

...can anyone explain why a compact fluorescent would flicker/flash intermittently, maybe once every 15 seconds, even when the light switch is turned OFF? This is a "high output" type that screws into a standard incandescent socket, and has four loops for high brightness.

Steve

Follow Ups:

RE: Strange activity from a compact fluorescent bulb... - tubesforever 12:20:16 06/14/09 (0)
florescent lighting requires magnetic or electronic power supplies in order to fire the tube.

You are probably witnessing periodic discharge of a capacitor in the P/S.

Steve you have nothing to worry about. This is not a safety problem.
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ME TOO! - Valveboy 05:57:06 06/12/09 (1)
I thought I was the only one. I have several around the house and it happens with two different bulbs! They are on different circuits. They only thing I can figure is that they are on three-way switches (two switches, one on each side of the room) and the switches are the type that are illuminated so you can see the switch in the dark. One flickers every two or three seconds, the other goes much faster. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the illuminated switches or my voltage. But I do have another CFL on a three way with illuminated switches that does NOT flicker. Can't figure it out, it's been going on for years.
_
- Does anyone know whether it's a myth that they can be - Muzikmike 13:17:39 06/12/09 (0)
  a fire hazard?
  
  There is no such thing as too many records.
  There is just too little room for them!
Being scanned by Klingons? - mpathus 23:44:58 06/11/09 (0)
...sorry couldn't help it.

Is there a high voltage source nearby, microwave emitter? I would imagine compact flourescents could be exited by a nearby Tesla coil, if you were conducting experiments.

Weird - reminds me of once when I was hearing radio through a halogen light bulb on my bench late at night.

Please tell us when you figure it out.
From what I've read, CF bulbs have been fraught with problems, ..... - Neil49 15:44:27 06/11/09 (2)
with a relatively high failure rate. Although the price has dropped dramatically, quality control apparently has, as well.

I'm holding out for the coming LED revolution.
- I gave up on them years ago based on failure rate... - David S. 11:16:26 06/12/09 (1)
  Installed half a dozen in my home five or so years back. The bulbs ranged from DOA, to tens of hours, to a few weeks. I dutifully replaced all bulbs at least once (trying to save the environment!) before falling back on incandescents. I did manage to coax a bit of extra use from one or two bulbs that failed the quickest by cutting into their bases & fixing solder joints on the components inside.
  
  Oddly, I visited my mother this week & she commented that her CF bulbs that I had installed over a decade ago had only recently failed.
  
  I'll still wait for a solution that gives me closer to the instant on and warm light of incandescents.
  - RE: I gave up on them years ago based on failure rate... - Brian Walsh 13:06:47 06/12/09 (0)
    Hi David,
    Only recently did I "cave" and buy some CFs. Reliability wasn't a concern since I waited so long, partly due to expectations there would be problems early on. While they certainly save energy and last longer, I dislike the color which borders on ghastly. Maybe GE or some other company makes CFs with improved color, in which case that's what I'll buy. Meanwhile I'll stick with incandescent if necessary.
    
    Brian Walsh
RE: Strange activity from a compact fluorescent bulb... - Cellist 11:26:57 06/11/09 (2)
I'm ready to give up on them; mine turn my TV on and off when they activate!

Fritz
- ??? - JimK 11:35:54 06/11/09 (1)
  That seems really odd to me. I've changed out almost every bulb in the interior of my house (no exterior changes due to the cold winters), and I have not experienced a single problem with any of them. Question: Have you spoken with your neighbors (or whomever shares the electrical feed with you) about this, and if so, are they experiencing the same thing? I guess the only reason I ask is so that you can begin sorting this out between external issues (electrical company) versus internal (television, wiring, etc).
  
  Weird....
  
  Jim
  - Probably an IR flash picked up by the TV sensor. (nt) - Chris O 12:05:49 06/11/09 (0)
    ___
    Long Live Dr.Gizmo
RE: Strange activity from a compact fluorescent bulb... - DevillEars 23:42:46 06/10/09 (1)
The inbuilt 'starter' is faulty - toss it and replace it.
The inbuilt 'starter' on a compact fluorescent bulb is housed in the large base and fulfils the same function as the plug-in 'starter' on a normal long-tube fluorescent light fitting - to kick-start the tube into fluorescing. So, while it is possible to replace a faulty 'starter' on a long-tube fitting, on a compact bulb, because its inbuilt, you have to toss the whole bulb...
DevillEars

Edits: 06/10/09
- RE: Strange activity from a compact fluorescent bulb... - Richard P 09:15:04 06/11/09 (0)
  The 'starter' is actually a small surface mount switch-mode power supply of the simplest variety. They suck, and are prone to break down rather easily. If you buy the n-vision bulbs from Home Despot, they carry a 5-7 year warranty, but save those register receipts (and photocopy them since they are printed on a thermal printer and will fade into oblivion over a few years time). The only way to get reimbursed for the duds is to scan the receipt and send them the jpeg!!
  
  -Richard

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