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Using three way switch with compact fluorescent bulbs

19 years ago

I am building a house and am determined to use compact fluorescent bulbs in my light fixtures that have closed shades on them (I don't like looking at the cfls) I want to know if using 3-way switches will shorten the life of these very expensive bulbs. I vaguely remember something about using only bulbs that are meant for 3-way switching but I can't find any cfls that either say do or don't use for 3-way switching. Does anyone out there know for sure?

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Comments (2)

mikie_gw
19 years ago
If you mean 3way cfl bulbs, whats the worry.. the lamp socket switches it same as a filament bulb. More or less One bulb on, or the other bulb on, or both on.

If you mean 3way wall switches. Either its on, or its off. It doesnt know what turns it on, it just knows its got power or not.

I think a regular bare bulb is pretty darn ugly. Same with twisty but its got something akin to a style.
dallasbill
19 years ago
What Mikie said.

All our CFLs are on 3-way switches, inc. the dimmable ones on 3-way w/ dim switches at one end.
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