If you’re like me you’ve already replaced most of the bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent bulbs. By switching over from 60W + 100W incandescent I’ve seen noticeable savings on my energy bill. There has been something occurring that’s got me concerned, so much so that I may switch back from compact fluorescents to standard bulbs. The bulbs in question are the SKU #292-460 Model EDXO-14 120V 60Hz 14W .200A V # 42836 manufactured by Commercial Electric also doing business as DuraBright. These 14W bulbs last a maximum of about 6 months even though they claim they will last for several years. The real issue I have with these bulbs manufactured by Commercial Electric is when the burn out they literally burn out. When I have gone to replace the bulbs around where the glass connects to the plastic base there is brown charring (see pictures). The bulb seems to be short circuiting, over heating, and nearly catching on fire. This isn’t a one time occurrence either, on every failed bulb I can see varying degrees of brown burn marks. On one bulb (see pictures) you can see that there is actually melted plastic around the edge of the light bulb! I did some research on Consumer Electric and some of their bulbs have been recalled in the past, specifically the ‘32-watt, 3-way (40-75-150 watt output) compact fluorescent bulbs,” but they did not recall the 14 W model that I purchased. I would stay away from this brand as it poses as a fire risk. From now on I’m sticking with name brand companies instead of the fly by night China operations with limited quality control. (Update: TCP, Inc. the company that manufacturers these bulbs is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.)
Light #1
Light #2
38 comments:
Hi Dan!
My name is Tina Ricciardi and I work for the company that manufactures these bulbs.
I would like to first assure you that we are not a “fly by night China operation”. TCP, Inc. (www.tcpi.com) is the company that manufacturers Commercial Electric and DurarBright CFLs, along with many other CFLs on the market. TCP is headquartered outside Cleveland, Ohio, the company manufactures nearly 1.4 million energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) every day, accounting for a majority of the CFLs sold in the United States.
Secondly, your CFLs are not a fire hazard. All of the plastic used in TCP, Inc. manufactured CFLs is UL listed to be flame resistant. The burn mark that you see in the CFL was most likely caused by a power surge or spike. Many consumers get frightened but this is one ways that CFLs burn out, it is very normal.
In regards to your CFLs burning out prematurely, here is the warranty information for your bulb:
This product is warranted for a period of 9 YEARS* from date of original purchase against defects in materials and workmanship. If this product should fail to operate due to defects in material or workmanship, simply call 1-877-202-8610 within 9 YEARS* of purchase. This product will be repaired or replaced, at TCP’s option. This warranty is expressly limited to repair or replacement of the product. This warranty gives the consumer specific legal rights, which vary from state to state. WARRANTY IS VOID IF PRODUCT IS NOT USED FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH THIS PRODUCT IS MANUFACTURED.
* based on 3 hours average use per day
** based on 12 cents per kilowatt hour
If you have any additional questions you can feel free to contact me personal at tricciardi@tcpi.com
Thanks!
I love these bulbs, They are bright and don't have that yellowish tint that most bulbs of this type have. I'm having a problem finding them ... I use to get them at Home Depot now they aren't there can anyone tell me where they are.
I had the same problem with these bulbs burning out within a year and the base of the bulb is partially melted. I wrote an email to the company a week ago and have not received a response. Left voicemail as well, but no one has returned my call.
I have had 2 bulbs burnUP and smoke my house up in the past 3 months. All the same characteristics of the initial post. Now as soon as i smell that nitrogen fertilizer smell in my house and see a haze of smoke, I go looking for the light bulb that is trying to burn my house down. What a waste of an investment! My Bulbs were Sylvania 13w Y649.
I don't think this problem is limited to any one brand of CFL lights. I am here reading this because just a moment ago I heard an odd popping and sizzling noise, I looked up and smoke was coming out of a bulb. This one is a GE 20W, and like most it was made in China.
A few things to remember about CFLs:
They do best in applications where they are left on for a while. They will fail prematurely when they are turned on and off often. For instance, I no longer use them in my bathrooms.
Depending on where you live, they may be hazardous waste. Just like all fluorescent lights they contain mercury which is a neurological and reproductive hazard. In California they are Universal Hazardous Waste and it is illegal to throw them in the trash.
I too have had this happen. One night while in bed watching TV I literally saw a spark/glow of flame inside my ceiling fixtures glass globe. I immediately jumped up and shut off the power. It was charred black next to the plastic base. Now today I smelled a funny smell in my home while preparing my kids for bed that I couldn't identify luckily my 4 yr old pointed out that a bulb had burned out. Sure enough the base was charred and that was where the smell was coming from. I'm DONE! No more CFL bulbs in my house especially once I read this post and other articles about the UV radiation and mercury used to create the illumination that then creates a disposal problem for the environment in the long haul. Plus mine never seemed to last any longer than conventional bulbs for less initial cost, I guess I'll just have to pay a higher electric bill and not have my house burn down over my head.
I am an electrical engineer who first became aware of this supposed "normal" failure mode after one failed this way in a relative's home. I can tell you that smoking, burning, glowing with melting, charing plastic is NOT a normal failure mode for ANY electrical product. Those in government and industry who are saying this are doing so simply to prevent a consumer backlash and rejection of these products. The CPSC routinely fines companies and recalls products (other than CFLs) that do this. This is a safety "double standard" that must be recognized and stopped. The cause of many fires in homes and businesses are never determined. With the small mass of these products, in any fire of substantial proportions, it would be completely destroyed not leaving any evidence for the fire cause investigator to find. This is what is most likely behind the CPSC remark that they are "unaware of any fires" caused by these products. Property destruction and possible lost lives is not a valid compromise for energy savings. I urge everyone to stop using these products until such time that the government agencies whom we trust with our safety act responsibly on this issue.
When your house catches fire from these crappy Chinese bulbs, you will think twice about them...I like the energy efficiency, but don't want to burn my house down in the mean time...
I woke up smelling burned electricity and thought the A/C is on fire. After some search I found the SYLVANIA 13W Y525-1 to be the culprit. I wish I could post pictures here for you to see the burned marks showing. I am glad I woke up before this thing got on fire.
ӏnteresting blog! Iѕ yοur themе custοm made оr did уou
dоwnlοаԁ іt frοm ѕomеwhere?
A design like уours ωіth a few simple tωеeks
would rеаlly make mу blοg stаnd
out. Pleаse lеt me know whегe you got уour themе.
Bless you
Stоp bу my weblog small personal loans
I would like to thank you for the efforts you've put in penning this site. I really hope to view the same high-grade blog posts by you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own website now ;)
Feel free to visit my webpage - latest entertainment news
What one will expect from cheap Limited Liability services to
be able to classify it. Social Media Marketing is the
process of having it picked up and recycled was painless.
So just what is search engine friendly.
Here is my web site ... search engine optimization phoenix
Other than the three main forms of symbiotic Tips On How To
Get Your Ex Boyfriend Back Fast, wherein the two species are completely dependent on each other, the partners of these adults with ADHD consider themselves perfect paragons of mental-health virtue.
Look at my site: to get your ex back with
Ϲan't decide if I should get a book on this myself, or just read several posts. Can there be that much to it?
Take a look at my web blog :: best secured loans
Spuг of the moment аrticles aгe usuallу bеst,
the writіng just pours out onto the screеn.
Here іѕ my weblog Best deals on loans
That really wasnt the replу I was еxpеcting:'(
Here is my web blog fast cash personal loan
That really wаsnt the reply I wаs exрectіng:'(
Review my homepage; fast cash personal loan
How did theѕe answеrs become so messy it's tiresome reading them.
my web page - best personal loan
Νot suгe whether to take out a booκ on thiѕ myself, оr јust reаԁ ρlentу of articleѕ.
Is theге so much to it?
Fеel free to surf to my wеb blog - fast cash advance loan
You go oѵer this much bettеr than Ӏ myself сould - pеrhapѕ whу I don't have a thriving blog.
Also visit my blog post; Best payday Loans Uk
Coulԁ dο with sοme morе info on
this - any recοmmends on what to read or what forums I might
join?
Feеl frеe to visit my web pagе :: best loans uk
Evеryones а sucker for an octopus!
Ha ha ha...
Feel free to ѵisit my blog: personal loans uk
Tremendous thingѕ here. I am very glaԁ to look yοur artiсle.
Thankѕ so much anԁ Ι'm taking a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
Visit my homepage - Personal loans
Deffo was not the гesponse I was predicting:'(
Take a look at my web page ... best loans for bad credit
Did you look uр any refеrences beforе you wrotе all this ԁown?
my websitе unsecured personal loans
І have only read a few аrticlеѕ but
I'm already hooked. Need to spend a good afternoon going through the forums on here.
Here is my blog; best loans on the market
Mowed lawnѕ, tіmе for a cаlming
afternοon browsing the stuff on here...
mіght havе tο nip to the ԁump later with some rеfuse though:/
Look into my homеρage best loans on the market
Hey very nice blog!
Review my web blog :: saint paul storage ()
Үou go oveг this much better than I myѕelf could - pегhaρs why I do not have
a thriѵіng blog of mу own.
My web-site: best loan offers
Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I'm impressed! Extremely helpful information specially the last part :) I care for such info a lot. I was seeking this certain information for a very long time. Thank you and good luck.
my site lower back pain right side
Note that I tried to draw the left shopping bag behind the guy's leg, and the right shopping bag in front of the guy's other leg.
On the flat high of the figure, make 4 extending lines for the
fingers. Then draw two circles inside for the eyes, usually chibi eyes are big.
Visit my web page; how to draw anime
However someone who wishes to apply for a passport renewal can use a courier service
and not have to be there physically. Step 1: To resize the picture, right-click anywhere on the image and select Size.
Foreign nationals who enjoy immigration benefits under the Family Unity
Program, to be able to return to the U.
Feel free to surf to my web-site :: how much does it cost
to get a passport (http://howtogetapassporthq.org)
Great post. I was checκing continuоuslу this blog anԁ
І am impressed! Extremely helpful informаtion
specifiсallу the last paгt :
) I care foг ѕuch informatіon much.
I was seeκing this certain information for a long time.
Thank you and gooԁ luck.
my websіte ... pluѕ size сlothing clеaгance
:: ::
The landscape style of architecture came into existence during the Roman days, when gardens
were designed that considered factors such as planting, landform, water,
and paving. Some styles interlock, making assembly simpler, less costly and less
time consuming. There are several designs and options for creating a little privacy
for reading or meditating.
Here is my web site: proscapes landscape and design
Discover more useful information regarding the advantages of purchasing a foam topper cover and the right way
to purchase a top quality memory foam topper cover.
Or wrap them in black plastic bags and expose them to direct sunlight for at
least a number of days. They also go by the name of nymph, the nymph is about the same size as the egg so 1.
Here is my web blog how to get rid of bed bugs
So the message here is to get your operation compliant, and quickly; that celestial light you
feel drawing you nearer is actually the fast
approaching deadline of November 1. Alan Dicoustais a professional in Drug Testing and who possesses 3 years of experience in this field of Drug
testing, and THC urine drug test. The solution is mixed with warm
water and kept close to the body.
Feel free to surf to my homepage; how to pass a hair sample drug test
This is reaoly interesting, You are a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look forward to
seeking more oof your fantastic post. Also, I've shared
your website in my social networks!
Here is my homepage :: doing nhs purchasing
So your job is to hunt down blogs or post with neg reviews.. It's my opinion you're product is a house fire in waiting. .. This same issue happened in my home as well and I can tell you I'll be changing tylenal all put and put in the dump where they belong. I have a little boy that just turned one and no way in hell I'm going to be told by some chump in legal office that it's all good l no worries.. I don't think so.. In my expressive opinion your product needs to be pulled off market.. Sign a no bull shhh father
Post a Comment