Compact Fluorescent Lamp - switch on current ? - sci.electronics.repair

Message from discussion Compact Fluorescent Lamp - switch on current ?

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More options Jul 25, 4:37 am

Newsgroups: sci.electronics.repair

From: Archon <Chipbee40_Spa...@yahoo.com>

Date: Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:37:39 GMT

Local: Fri, Jul 25 2008 4:37 am

Subject: Re: Compact Fluorescent Lamp - switch on current ?

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Peter Dettmann wrote:
> On Thu, 24 Jul 2008 16:23:51 +0100, "N_Cook" <dive...@tcp.co.uk>
> wrote:

>> 15W filament lamp controlled by a tiny reed relay, on for a total of a
>> couple of hours a day. Been in use for 20 years or so. Decided to replace
>> the working 15 filament one with a 11W CFL but on first switch on, the
>> contacts ,presumably only 0.5A rating or so, held on at switch off.

>> A slight tap releases them but of course no good with continued CFL use
>> unless uprating the relay. Previously stuck contacts occured 10 years or so
>> back when the first 15W bulb blew, plasma arc current at failing switch-on
>> presumably.

>> What is the switch on current of CFLs compared to conventional just out of
>> interest ?

> Only proerly designed "power reed" contacts are suitable, a the normal
> reeds are not any good for currents at amp levels. Having said
> that, most CFL's have a limiting resistor input, so the input will not
> be more than a few amps.

> Peter

Stick to the 15W filament, your chinese made CFL will only last 8 months
before it overheats, blows your relay and dies, costing you 10 times the
filament lamp. Surge current on a 22w CFL is 1.5A

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