LED & CFL lamp tests

[gone-ot]

Did some lamp tests using my KILL-A-WATT™ EZ (model P4460.01) tool:


BRAND/LED TYPE__________VAC:___AMPS:__WATTS__VA:___PF:
40W Utilitech(7W).......122.1..0.05A....6.8...7.1..0.96
60W CREE(9W)............122.0..0.08A....9.8..10.1..0.97
60W Philips(10.5W)......121.7..0.09A...11.1..12.0..0.92
60W Utilitech(9.8W).....122.3..0.09A...11.4..11.6..0.98

BRAND/CFL TYPE__________VAC:___AMPS:__WATTS__VA:___PF:
40W N:Vision(14W).......122.4..0.19A...14.8..24.7..0.60
40W Bright Effects(18W).122.1..0.24A...18.4..29.9..0.61
60W Utilitech(23).......121.6..0.28A...21.1..35.4..0.60
60W N:Vision(23W).......122.6..0.29A...21.9..36.5..0.60

As you can see, some use less power than they claim, while others use more. And, power companies really HATE seeing such low Power Factors (PF) in the 0.60's!

[Cobb]

What are you trying to say? Are CF better or not? Looks like led uses less power, but the PF is closer to 1.

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

power companies really HATE seeing such low Power Factors (PF) in the 0.60's!

[radiantthought]

Originally Posted by Cobb

What are you trying to say? Are CF better or not? Looks like led uses less power, but the PF is closer to 1.

The watt is a measure of power. So, the CFLs use more apparent power (Volts x Amps) to their real power usage (Their actual wattage rating). This means they draw in more power than they use, and that means the power company is having to transmit more power, even though not all of it is being used.

[sendler]

I read this and I'm still confused.
.
http://ceolas.net/Docs/Sylvania_on_CFL_Power_Factor.pdf
.
Where did the lost power go? Ringing back and forth at the wrong frequency in the wires?

[Cobb]

So, CFL bulbs are better for the consumer, worse for the power company?

[Cobb]

Interesting.... A lot of N. Teslas work used coils, windings and transformers.

You know I use to have a sodium freddy mercury krueger (SP?) vapor light outside. It had a 75 watt bulb and was suppose to put out the light of a 300 watt bulb. To my disappointment when I had to service it the sticker said 1.5 amps at 120 volts.

Funny thing, as it turned off and on all night the past month and the month a while back it did the same thing my power bill was 15 bucks higher. Now its got a 65 watt cfl in its place.

[deejaaa]

Originally Posted by sendler

Where did the lost power go?

heat.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by sendler

I read this and I'm still confused.
.
http://ceolas.net/Docs/Sylvania_on_CFL_Power_Factor.pdf
.
Where did the lost power go? Ringing back and forth at the wrong frequency in the wires?

Don't worry, I believe only after some one has devoted a lot time, with hands on applications does any one have a chance at understanding power factor.
If you only read about it, it will only further confuse you.
This is electrical engineer level stuff.

Other wise, yeah that's a pretty good way to look at it.

I would not say that CFLs just run a low power factor, normally caused by voltage to current phase shift. They run off pure phase distortion. Just a low power factor can be corrected with capacitors, capacitors alone cant fix a CFLs phase distortion caused low power factor.

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Cobb

So, CFL bulbs are better for the consumer, worse for the power company?

Depends on your residential utility power meter.

Every one claims that the spinning disc style electro mechanical will only read Watts, actual power consumed.
I have done experiments that show other wise. Maybe my power meter is broken...

Then the new digital power meters I have seen have "55% P.F." and "80% P.F." counters. The "55% P.F." counter is new, was not there several months ago.

[oil pan 4]

A 13 watt CFL uses a lot more power than what it claims. - EcoRenovator

Eco mod my welder - EcoRenovator