I have a (somewhat) compact fluorescent bulb that I intend to install in a fixture that states it is to be used for a “60 watt bulb only”. The bulb of doom uses 32 watts. I am almost certain that what the fixture is rated for is either 60 watts of electricity coming through the wires or is able to withstand 60 watts of heat coming from a normal bulb. The fixture itself looks to provide plenty of ventilation. The socket sticks out parallel to the ceiling so the bulb will not be in a can or anything. There is a glass plate/diffuser below the fixture that does not touch the bulb. The circuit is on an ordinary switch.
I should be cool right? It’s just that the package has in large friendly letters “Replaces 150 watt bulb” I am almost certain this refers to the brightness (2600 lumens). I just don’t want to be explaining this to the fire department.
You’re fine. CF bulbs use less electricity and run cooler than their incandescent counterparts. Since they are a bit more efficient at light production, you can actually run a higher wattage CF bulb in a given fixture than its rating states. Don’t worry about a thing.
The message “60 watt bulb only” or “no more than 60 watt bulb” is almost always there because of heat, not a limit on the incoming electrical power. The heat generated by a higher wattage incandescent bulb would make the fixture too hot and a possible fire danger. Especially because many light fixtures have tight clearances and enclosures with little ventilation.
So a compact fluorescent bulb should have no problem at all. They use less power and waste less of it in heat, so are better in both ways.
