Maybe I'm a dim bulb, but I'm confused

[BryanP]

I bought a floor lamp that takes three bulbs. On the box it has this:



If it will take three 60 watt incandescent bulbs, why would it be limited to only 15 watt CFLs?  Isn't a watt a watt? 

[K Frame]

They're going on watt equivalencies. A 15 watt fluorescent is equivalent to a 60 watt bulb in light produced.

Yes, you can safely upscale if the bulbs will fit.

[Perd Hapley]

  Isn't a watt a watt? 

What?


Yes, you are correct that suggesting a 15W max is a silly mistake on their part.

[BryanP]

They're going on watt equivalencies. A 15 watt fluorescent is equivalent to a 60 watt bulb in light produced.

Yes, you can safely upscale if the bulbs will fit.

That's what I figured.  In this case I have no need to and may downgrade to 40W or equivalent.  I was just wondering if there was something strange going on I didn't know about.

[Hawkmoon]

Did this lamp (and the accompanying instructions) by any chance originate in China?

[lee n. field]

Did this lamp (and the accompanying instructions) by any chance originate in China?

almost certainly

[BryanP]

Did this lamp (and the accompanying instructions) by any chance originate in China?

Nah, it came from Target. 

[TommyGunn]

Nah, it came from Target. 

Naw, it came from China by way of Target.

[Firethorn]

Only thing I could think of is that CFLs tend to be a little more heat sensitive.  If the lamp lacks sufficient cooling you might not want to stuff 26watt(or whatever) CFLs in there, assuming they even fit.

[RoadKingLarry]

Too bad you have to use those evil, environment destroying options and can't use something green like LEDs.

[BryanP]

Naw, it came from China by way of Target.

That was the implied joke.

[KD5NRH]

They just forgot to put that it can handle 12 of the CFLs.

[wmenorr67]

I also believe the new fangled CFL's put out more light per watt.

[GigaBuist]

I also believe the new fangled CFL's put out more light per watt.

Yep.  CFLs put out 4x the lumens of an incandescent watt for watt.  LEDs are 10:1.  So, in theory a fixture rated for a 100 watt incandescent is fine with a "1000 watt equivalent" LED.  Total consumed energy is the same so the heat output is the same.