from Lyn in Milwaukee, WI:
#436
I had a CFL 'pop' & then start to smoke. I immediately turned off the light. The bulbs were at least 5-6 years old so ready to be replaced. But what concerned me was how it burned out. had I not been there to see it, I'm thinking there could have been a fire. I am now afraid to leave any CFL unattended. Can you set my mind at ease?
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are designed to be safe.
Thanks for your question! Hopefully this answer will set your mind at ease. Turning off the power to the light bulb was the right thing to do. But don't worry, an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL should never catch on fire.
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs incorporate end-of-life requirements and higher safety standards. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs currently meet safety standards, which require the materials to be self-extinguishing. So, although the base or glass tubing may darken, it should never catch on fire.
CFL manufacturers recommend that you install and remove CFLs by grasping the plastic portions of the base only. If the CFL is screwed into a light socket by twisting the tube rather than the plastic base, it can cause the vacuum seal or glass tubing in the CFL to break. Once certain parts are exposed to oxygen, they are more liable to become defective and/or overheat.
In some cases, when a fluorescent tube reaches the end of useful life, the arc contained in the tube may elevate the temperature of the housing plastic near one end of the tube. This elevated temperature, although it is short lived, may produce some limited smoke and odor. In some cases a flashing arc internal to the fluorescent tube or ballast may occur and in some extreme cases, a deformation, significant distortion, or small breach of the plastic material may happen. Again, the materials and evaluation tests are designed to prevent subsequent safety hazard. If you have a product that does begin to smoke or smolder, immediately shut off the power to the CFL and, once it has cooled, remove it from the light socket.
Published Monday, August 31, 2009