Why do compact fluorescent lights flicker

Flickering bulbs can cause the starter to burn out or even make the ballast overheat and and fail prematurely. First look at the bulbs, if there is darkness around the ends of the tubes, the bulbs may be defective or close to burning out. At the end of each tube there are two electrodes, by testing across these two pins you can determine if the electrodes are still intact if there is conductivity across the pins the electrode should function.

However, even if the electrodes are totally intact the bulb may not light; this can happen if all the gas has leaked from the fluorescent tube or if there is a short in the electrodes. Ultimately the best way to test a bulb is to put it into a working light fixture. Fluorescent bulbs convert more of their input power into visible light than incandescent lamps. An average watt tungsten filament incandescent lamp converts only about 2 percent of its power input into visible light while fluorescent lamps convert about 22 percent of their power input into visible light.

A fluorescent bulb will typically last 10 to 20 times longer than traditional bulbs, and give off about two-thirds to three-quarters less heat than incandescent bulbs. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center. Due to the mercury in fluorescent bulbs, they require special disposal methods.

When these bulbs are sent to a traditional landfill, the bulbs often will break and will then emit mercury gas that is harmful to workers and to the environment.

The health threat to workers is especially large at transfer stations where large quantities of light bulbs may be crushed in a single location. Due to the dangers associated with mercury "ten states and multiple local jurisdictions prohibit the disposal of mercury containing products, including CFLs and other mercury containing lamps, in solid waste. When disposing compact fluorescent bulbs, look up the local regulations.

Different states and municipalities have different rules about disposal. The EPA also has regulations about lamp disposal. While it is legal in some areas to dispose of CFLs in the standard trash, some states require CFLs to go through special CFL recycling programs or for individuals to dispose of CFLs at hazardous waste collection centers.

CFLs will save money and lower electricity usage. They also are replaced less frequently which can save trips to the store. As you can see, they have a number of challenges that incandescent bulbs do not have. Try a CFL. Try it in one room to ensure that you won't have any negative health effects. If the bulb breaks, make sure to clean it up properly. Also, check your local regulations to make sure that you won't break any laws while disposing of the bulb.

Look for recycling programs online, through local stores, or through the light bulb manufacturers. Make an informed choice. If CFLs concern you or if you have health problems do to them, switch to a LED or incandescent bulb, then, write your government representatives about your concerns as incandescent bulbs are becoming illegal in numerous countries in coming years.

Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters. If you have problems with dizziness when you combine a monitor with the bulbs you should turn up your monitor brightness and don't use a dimmer on the bulb.

You can use a web cam pointed at the monitor and actually see the refresh rate under the fluorescent bulb. I was having huge problems earlier this year and was so dizzy that I was absolutely green. I shut the lights off over my desk, used the cam to find the darkest I could have my monitor without flicker, and got incandescents for beside my desk.

I am much happier now! So are my migraines. Also, I often get migraines from CFLs. I wonder if there are other health side effects that we haven't related to it yet. Optimistic exports are expected to be able to drive the production of lighting business, but it can not be ignored that the European Union and the United States since implement new lighting standards and norms since last year, export enterprises must close variation for the latest standards for production.

The implementation of the new standards is both a challenge and an opportunity, on the trend of the world, traditional light sources will be phased out, energy-saving lamps and LED are more environmentally friendly and accord with sustainable development, the new product have more plastic both in the design and application will be become the market leader.

From onwards, the European Union banned all traditional light bulb wattage; Second, the U. What a mess! I would say that washing again would help if there is any mercury left on your clothes.

It can't hurt. The mercury in the bulbs isn't huge, but avoiding as much of it as possible is a good idea. There are some new glasses that may help. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. See Subscription Options. Go Paperless with Digital.

Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up. Support science journalism. In this type of switch, the light isn't on the same circuit as the switch itself, and when you turn off the switch, no power flows to the CFL. Not only will it stay off, even if you have an illuminated switch, it uses less electricity than a CFL. Avoid turning the CFL on and off frequently, and when you turn it on, leave it on for several minutes before turning it off again. Repeatedly turning the lamp on and off weakens the capacitor.

Discard a CFL if it flickers in a circuit controlled by a conventional, unlit rocker switch.