Re: Switch Module for Complact Fluorescent Bulbs

[Marc_F_Hult <MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 13:47:28 -0400, Marc_F_Hult
<MFHult@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
<qjhtv2tg8706ak2jnmjetrnf6ljvgrgv5f@xxxxxxx>:

>On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 11:39:46 -0400, Stan Rinkunas
><stop.rink01sfr.spam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
><j4btv29ush69lhr5uivh79i4fcbngc00qp@xxxxxxx>:
>
>>Does anyone know of modules for fully in-outlet-box mounting that has
>>a true switch or relay with open contacts - not a solid state switch.
>>
>>I want to use the new commonly available CF bulbs and have my control
>>modules mounted in the outlet boxes.  I am open to consider any HA
>>system that has these modules.  I prefer not to have to buy "special"
>>CF bulbs.
>>
>>Thanks.
>
>There are INSTEON has wall-switches with relays. I use two (one master,
one
>slave = remote) in my basement to control a mixture of about a dozen CFls
>and T12 and T8 fluorescents. Works perfectly.
>
>In my experience, CFLs also work flawlessly with the four types of INSTEON
>dimmers I've used when operated in an ON-OFF fashion. However if the CFLs
>are not designed and sold to be dimmed, there will/may be obnoxious
>flashing and buzzing as the lamp is _dimmed_ below ~15-20%. This could
harm
>the CFL, dimmer or both (I dunno yet).
>
>X-10 dimmer switches are a different matter in part because many (eg
WS467)
>X-10 dimmers don't have a direction connection to neutral and derive the
>power they need to operate through the lamp filament. These
>characteristically do not work with only typical fluorescent lamps in the
>circuit. Adding a small incandescent in parallel can solve the problem.
>There are, of course, also fluorescent-friendly X-10 switches. They
>should/will be identified as such by the manufacturer and retailer.
>
>... Marc
>Marc_F_Hult
>www.ECOntrol.org


I just re-read what you wrote and my response.

All X-10 and INSTEON ON-OFF (= "appliance") modules of the sort mounted on
duplex outlets (Is that what you meant?)  should work jist fine with all
CFLs.

No "special" CFLs required (or available) to work with appliance modules.
But see my comments above for using fluorescents (compact or otherwise)
with _dimmers and X-10 wall switches/dimmers that don't use a neutral
connection.

... Marc
Marc_F_Hult
www.ECOntrol.org