A Quite Interesting fact about energy-saving light bulbs

[expat]

Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFLs) have a God-awful power factor. The short of this is that a 12W CFL will actually draw about 24W from the mains; however your meter will only measure 12W.

But the generating companies will have to generate the 24W. Don't worry, they will put up the price of every Wh to compensate.

[FSM with Cheddar]

Evidence please?

If this is the case, then we need to know how to modify all of our other appliances so that the meter records less power being drawn than is actually the case.

[EternalOptimist]

Evidence please?

If this is the case, then we need to know how to modify all of our other appliances so that the meter records less power being drawn than is actually the case.

you dont need evidence. It is almost impossible to find an appliance that has a high power factor, the energy producers/distributers take all this into account.

It's a scare story

[expat]

you dont need evidence. It is almost impossible to find an appliance that has a high power factor, the energy producers/distributers take all this into account.

Yeah, there's only one: and incandescent light bulb.

(OK, or any resistance heater)

[EternalOptimist]

Yeah, there's only one: and incandescent light bulb.

(OK, or any resistance heater)

correct

if the PF of the new bulbs makes any difference to anything, I will show me bum out of the window.

where's that lizard when you need him ?

it's a scare story.

[expat]

correct

if the PF of the new bulbs makes any difference to anything, I will show me bum out of the window.

where's that lizard when you need him ?

it's a scare story.

It is a scare story. But it is Quite Interesting.

And I hope to God that it doesn't make a difference to anything, given the consequences that we now know .........

[Paddy]

Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFLs) have a God-awful power factor. The short of this is that a 12W CFL will actually draw about 24W from the mains; however your meter will only measure 12W.

But the generating companies will have to generate the 24W. Don't worry, they will put up the price of every Wh to compensate.

Not quite, but sort of. It's to do with the peak draw of watts as it pulses at 50Htz.

The worst fact is these lamps are toxic and can't be thrown in the bin or smashed.

[tim123]

Compact Flourescent Lamps (CFLs) have a God-awful power factor. The short of this is that a 12W CFL will actually draw about 24W from the mains; however your meter will only measure 12W.

.

Have you re-invented the laws of physics?

tim