# CFL vs The Devil

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-vs-the-devil/650017>\
**Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\
**Created:** [February 11, 2013, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-vs-the-devil/650017 "2013-02-11T20:45:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-vs-the-devil/650017/21 "2013-02-18T04:46:15Z")

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> [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](#):
>
> … I suspect that the photo-sensor in the fixture is functioning as an ad-hoc dimmer switch and I’m led to believe that CFL bulbs hate dimmers.

This is almost certainly the case. Most photo-sensor switches made for incandescent bulbs have a turn on level too close to their turn off level, so that it’s fluttering rapidly on and off either morning, evening, or both. If they are too close together, it’s kinda half on and half off near the transition, and that’s death on fluorescent bulbs of any kind. Even if that condition lasts only a few minutes or seconds a day.

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**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2013, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cfl-vs-the-devil/650017/22 "2013-02-18T17:27:10Z")

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Any flourescent bulb hates the cold. Drive around and notice how many business signs are dim and flickering. LEDs have a long was to go before they can equal the quality of incandescents as far as light quality, dimmability, and light dispersion, but I think they’re the long term solution.

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