Flashing energy saver lightbulb

Counting_Pennies_2

Can anyone help?

When I turn my light off (energy saving lightbulb) on the landing I notice it flashes all night. Just little flickers, nothing major, but I was wondering if this is safe, or have I a dud and if so do I need to bin it?

Thanks

Jem8472

I have heard of this before and I am not sure what causes but I do think it means that the bulb is on the way out, I am not sure if it is safe or not maybed someone else might know that

Mr_Proctalgia

It is quite safe - it is caused by capacitance in the wires running between the two switchs, a charge builds up between two wires and the bulb thinks its on, but, there is in reality nothing there so it goes off again. The problem is made worse by the fact that modern digital instruments will measure a voltage but the older needle type meters will not. It is a known problem so don't worry.

BTW - Ordinary bulbs to not do this.