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[Andy B]

100 times a second.....i.e. each zero crossing point (once every half cycle) 

  Truth always Hertz!

....I`d better sine off with a wave!

groan ...........     

[cem_devecioglu]

Fair doos, came on as soon as I flicked the switch. None of this 2 second delay, and then a single candles worth, slowly increasing in illumination.
Ok, they still take a couple of mins to reach full power and none of them will match the light from a "proper" bulb, but at least the Tesco own brand cheapies give a useable light instantly. 

  My lights are fully bright in about a 25th. of a second!

......but they do turn themselves on and off 50 times a second!

  50 hz standard bulbs..

[KillerWatt]

100 times a second.....i.e. each zero crossing point (once every half cycle) 

I think you'll find the invertor is switching slightly quicker than that.


@ Turk,
You ain't getting anywhere near the claimed lifespan from the Tesco ones mate.

[waspy]

Fair doos, came on as soon as I flicked the switch. None of this 2 second delay, and then a single candles worth, slowly increasing in illumination.
Ok, they still take a couple of mins to reach full power and none of them will match the light from a "proper" bulb, but at least the Tesco own brand cheapies give a useable light instantly. 

I prefer them like that, they don't burn out my retina's with instant light 8-)

[Marks DTM Calib]

100 times a second.....i.e. each zero crossing point (once every half cycle) 

I think you'll find the invertor is switching slightly quicker than that.


@ Turk,
You ain't getting anywhere near the claimed lifespan from the Tesco ones mate.

Lol, read the thread (terribly sorry old boy, I am a little tired)....we are of course refering to standard incandescant bulbs

[KillerWatt]

Lol, read the thread (terribly sorry old boy, I am a little tired)....we are of course refering to standard incandescant bulbs

Didn't notice the thread had detracted slightly.

Anyway, I wonder when (or if) the powers that be will ever decide to let on that CFL's (especially the cheap ones) have pi$$ poor power factor correction (so poor in fact, it isn't uncommon to see them draw more current than it's equivalent incandescant when in use).

Now while the user is still charged for electricity by the "unit" (watt/hour), that extra current still has to be generated at the power station, which means it can't be as "green" as they tell us.

[I_want_an_Omega]

I guesss its a SINE of the times ,,,,,,,

[Kevin Wood]

Didn't notice the thread had detracted slightly.

Anyway, I wonder when (or if) the powers that be will ever decide to let on that CFL's (especially the cheap ones) have pi$$ poor power factor correction (so poor in fact, it isn't uncommon to see them draw more current than it's equivalent incandescant when in use).

Now while the user is still charged for electricity by the "unit" (watt/hour), that extra current still has to be generated at the power station, which means it can't be as "green" as they tell us.

Sssh! They'll be forcing us to go back to DC mains next.

Kevin

[Brick Tamland]

Am I right in assuming that "proper" bulbs arn't banned outright, just the import (not manufacturing and selling).  :-?

There's a big factory here that makes them and are still in plentifull supply from all supermarkets. 

[Pitchfork]

Is there a flicker of humour running through this thread?

[KillerWatt]

Am I right in assuming that "proper" bulbs arn't banned outright, just the import (not manufacturing and selling).  :-?

The ban only applies to lamps that are designated for "household use".
There is nothing to stop you going to your electrical wholesaler and purchasing "rough service" lamps however, which are exactly the same (except they last longer).

[rikki_essex]

The planet saving bulbs in my bath room started to take quite a while to come on and i could even turn the light on get in the shower get out and dry and then the light would come on. So i thought id better change them so took the cover off and theres two of them so went to asda and none of the ones i want so off to b&q found them a £5.95 each what a rip off

[doog]

this thread is megger funny   

Doug

[Kevin Wood]

this thread is megger funny   

Doug

Some Wayne Kerr set it off at a tangent, that's why. 

Kevin

[Varche]

Not as funny as the fact that we are all using 50 Hz instead of the more efficient 60 Hz as originally devised. From memory I think we have the Germans(Siemens maybe) to thank for the change which was quite arbitrary to fit better metrically. Actually it isn't quite global but not far off.

I will be interested to see if these "efficient but b****y expensive" bulbs do last as long as they say.

They have disappeared off the shelves here except for the "pound" shops which have loads of 100Watt bulbs etc for sale still.

Varche