New Lampshades and possibly a daft question!

MrsAtobe

We're slowly getting the house sorted, and I've been buying new lightshades. But I'm a bit confused (not that it's difficult;)). They are rated for a 60W incandescent lightbulb, but only an 11W energy saving bulb. What???

I assumed that if a shade is rated for a 60W incandescent bulb, that you could quite happily put a 20W low energy bulb in it? Surely the rating is based on the heat put out by the bulb, and as the low energy bulbs put out a lot less heat than an incandescent, you could put in a higher Wattage than the equivalent incandescent rating, iyswim.

Could someone please explain this to me, or is it just the manufacturers being lazy, or bowing to gummint pressure? Obviously, I wouldn't put a 100W incandescent bulb under a shade that's only rated for 60W, but I really would like to know how to convert the incandescent ratings to energy saving ones.

Sorry if this is confusing and thanks in advance.

Leif

That is also my understanding. A 20W energy saving (ES) bulb (equivalent to ~100W incandescent bulb) would be fine in a shade for a 60W incandescent bulb, as far as heat output goes.

But, a 20W ES bulb is usually quite large so perhaps they are talking about size. An 11 W ES bulb is quite compact.

MaggieBaking

The energy saving bulbs will say 10W - equivelent to 60W. Or something like that - I don't know the conversion rates!

nokia1100

You are all completely right as far as the physics goes. It's a size issue really. If you want a 20W for more realistic brightness and it fits, 20W power input will not exceed the heat of a 60W 'conventional' lamp.

ormus

you could use almost any energy saving bulb. none of em will emit more heat than a normal 60w bulb.

nokia1100

I've yet to try an 85W energy saver. They cost a bit more, and are bigger though.

Owain_Moneysaver

nokia1100 wrote: »

I've yet to try an 85W energy saver. They cost a bit more, and are bigger though.

Here's 162W of CFL equivalent to 900W filament.

Please do not try this at home / ask an adult to help you with scissors.

nokia1100

Thanks Owain. Good old BigClive! (Haven't been on his site in a while).

rach-vitendi

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Here's 162W of CFL equivalent to 900W filament.

Please do not try this at home / ask an adult to help you with scissors.

I'm actually tempted to make one of these myself.. Look incredible!