Twisty Light Bulb Warning

[HealthAndHappiness]

What probably has even a greater likelihood of being seen (and heard) is a sustained blue arc inside the base unit from electrical component breakdown/failure along with its familiar buzzing or crackling sound. But, I would not doubt the blue flame possibility if there is some kind of out-gassing to sustain it.

I want to say that I have seen such a thing at least once myself - just do not remember exactly where and when...

There was a video I watched of someone who took it apart to reveal the circuit board. I was surprised how many components there were. I could see how it would be easy for those to fail. I didn't know that they were such a fire hazard. I always thought that the hot burning halogens would be the ones. Perhaps they are too? I don't know. I got rid of the lamp though.

 

[tourist]

Bob, as you know i'm a huge fan of your work but the amount of mercury in these bulb is probably the same as when you eat tuna.
And if you want to be one with nature since the modern world with all its side-effects is too much, you can always abandon the modern world and live in the woods or the dessert.
Don't be like California basically which says that everything gives you cancer. The way you get cancer in California is like this.
When you're at the Arizona border-line and you cross the line and step your right foot into California ... you get cancer. That's how that works.
As always, huge fan of your work and be well.

If you're on the border and step into Arizona you get better.

 

[tourist]

This kind/type of scenario is how it happens. And, the fault is almost always a manufacturing flaw.

It is an extreme example of planned obsolescence.

 

[tourist]

If you ain't got sick yet, I reckon it won't kill you. Keep on going with your life.

If someone ain't sick then maybe they're in denial.

 

[GaryA]

There was a video I watched of someone who took it apart to reveal the circuit board. I was surprised how many components there were. I could see how it would be easy for those to fail. I didn't know that they were such a fire hazard. I always thought that the hot burning halogens would be the ones. Perhaps they are too? I don't know. I got rid of the lamp though.

I would advise anyone to get rid of their twisty light bulbs and not use them as much as they can get away with it - not only are they a fire hazard, they are a health hazard also.

Have you ever seen the official instructions for what you are supposed to do if one breaks? Ridiculous.

 

[GaryA]

This kind/type of scenario is how it happens. And, the fault is almost always a manufacturing flaw.

At some time during the past few years, I found a 2-inch long piece of solder [wire] laying inside a 'Mr. Coffee' coffee warmer (which I had been using for quite some time already) - right before I noticed that they disappeared off of store shelves everywhere.

Hmmm - wonder if that carelessly happened to many of them at the factory? ("Made in China", best I remember)

 

[CarriePie]

At some time during the past few years, I found a 2-inch long piece of solder [wire] laying inside a 'Mr. Coffee' coffee warmer (which I had been using for quite some time already) - right before I noticed that they disappeared off of store shelves everywhere.

Hmmm - wonder if that carelessly happened to many of them at the factory? ("Made in China", best I remember)

I have a vintage stove top glass percolator (I love how those look when they are percolating!)...anyway this ^ made me think I need to start using it instead of just admiring how it looks lol.

 

[GaryA]

I have a vintage stove top glass percolator (I love how those look when they are percolating!)...anyway this ^ made me think I need to start using it instead of just admiring how it looks lol.

There are sometimes very good reasons besides [just] "being old-fashioned" for using older equipment made during a time when people cared more about quality-in-workmanship. Modern greed in manufacturing - with the "throw-away" mentality - can very well be the worst option of the available choices - risk against risk - just depends on what you want [more]...

 

[CarriePie]

There are sometimes very good reasons besides [just] "being old-fashioned" for using older equipment made during a time when people cared more about quality-in-workmanship. Modern greed in manufacturing - with the "throw-away" mentality - can very well be the worst option of the available choices - risk against risk - just depends on what you want [more]...

I believe workmanship used to be better. Stuff also looked a lot better (to me, at least). I have vintage stuff all over the place for decor lol. The stuff now days even looks like it should be thrown away. Anyway, I was brought up to repair stuff if possible or repurpose it. It's not easy (and sometimes not possible) with modern stuff as it was with stuff from the days of better workmanship.

 

[GaryA]

This is a tech question, but not about the forum.
My ceiling light just burned out. It's a CFL twisted fluorescent bulb in my living room. When the bulb burned out. It was literally a blue flame that looked like it was coming from the base of the tube , so I turned off at the switch. The glass was not visibly broken, but I'm concerned that mercury escaped from beneath the visible area as the white plastic area surrounding was burnt brown.
Any ideas as to whether the gas escaped? It stands to reason that mercury gas escaped or that a circuit at the location ignited.
I don't trust them and will be disposing of my other fluorescent bulbs.

After watching videos on fires from these, I suggest replacements for those who still have them.

Have you ever seen the official instructions for what you are supposed to do if one breaks? Ridiculous.

It may be worth your while to look this up.

I think you are wise not to trust the CFL bulbs.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

I would advise anyone to get rid of their twisty light bulbs and not use them as much as they can get away with it - not only are they a fire hazard, they are a health hazard also.

Have you ever seen the official instructions for what you are supposed to do if one breaks? Ridiculous.

A long time ago someone broke a bunch of the long tubes dropping them into the trash can outside the door of my school. I got into an argument with one of the teachers, an OSHA officer of all people. He insisted on turning on the central air that draws from that location while I was working on cleaning the area, treating it as a hazmat zone. He was like a lot of people and would rather get the place below 70° and not worry about spreading it throughout the school. I won, but not without a fight.
That was a long time ago, but I remember that I simplified the procedure but was very thorough.

This time, I just wiped down the area with disposable rags and a damp cloth.

 

[GaryA]

The words "outside the door of my school" and "the central air that draws from that location" do not seem to make sense together.

Did you really mean to say "outside the door of my classroom" (in a hallway) ?

Somehow I am not believing that the central air intake was outside the building...

 

[blue_ladybug]

How is getting rid of twisty light bulbs, any help to getting tech support on CC????

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

How is getting rid of twisty light bulbs, any help to getting tech support on CC????

It's a tech related warning and question.

Most of all, I want everyone to know that they pose a fire and hazmat danger. I also had a question, but think it's been answered as much as is reasonable.

 

[Lynx]

There are sometimes very good reasons besides [just] "being old-fashioned" for using older equipment made during a time when people cared more about quality-in-workmanship. Modern greed in manufacturing - with the "throw-away" mentality - can very well be the worst option of the available choices - risk against risk - just depends on what you want [more]...

On the other hand, all my life I have heard people lamenting how much better stuff was made back in the old days.

How far back are we talking about? I'm 46 years old.

Are we talking about early '70s? Late '60s? Before the invention of plastic? Before mechanized mass production methods?

 

[Eli1]

On the other hand, all my life I have heard people lamenting how much better stuff was made back in the old days.

How far back are we talking about? I'm 46 years old.

Are we talking about early '70s? Late '60s? Before the invention of plastic? Before mechanized mass production methods?

Back in the day we used to eat dirt.