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-   -   Using LED bulbs in home lighting - from an electrician's point of view (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=781017)

  • Jan 10, 2014, 11:47 AM
    LHarann
    Using LED bulbs in home lighting - from an electrician's point of view
    I have the opportunity to buy a sconce to put on my wall to add some light.

    I have a choice of a CFL light sconce or a regular Type A 60 watt bulb light sconce.

    My question: Can I use LED lights with ANY light fixture, regardless of whether it says LED? Is there any danger? I thought it just had to do with wattage and not going over the recommended wattage.

    Thanks.
  • Jan 10, 2014, 11:56 AM
    joypulv
    All 3 bulb types are available in the same shape and size and base, to fit the same socket. A typical CFL and LED are 7 watts, comparable to 60. I'd get LEDs. You can get about 10 @ a little over $3 each from some online sellers.
  • Jan 10, 2014, 11:56 AM
    ebaines
    As far as the fixture is concerned the only thing to worry about os that whatever bulb you use (a) has the same form factor and (b) pulls less watts of electricity than the max rating of the fixture. Please note that "CFL" means "compact fluorescent lamp," and is not the same thing as LED (light emitting diode). You can buy either CFLs or LEDs and put them into a "regular" fixtures designed for an incandescent bulb, and in general both CFLs and LEDs pull significantly less power than an old-fashioned incandescent bulb, so there should no worry there. The only other thing to keep in mind is that if the fixture is dimmable - either with a control switch on it or via a wall dimmer - be sure that the CFL or LED that you buy is advertsised as being dimmable.

    Edit - I agree with Joy. Over the past two years there have been great advances in LED technology, and given the choice between LEDs and CFLs I would choose LEDs.
  • Jan 10, 2014, 12:22 PM
    Catsmine
    I will third the motion to go with LEDs. In areas where power outages occur regularly, the lifespan of the CFl bulbs seems shorter than advertised, being comparable to incandescent bulbs rather than the 10 - 25 times longer. LEDs do not seem to have this degradation. I won't speculate on why, that's way above my paygrade, but that's been my experience.

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