Storing Fluorescent Lamps
#1
06-01-11, 05:24 PM
Storing Fluorescent Lamps
Today a co-worker saw me storing a case of fluorescent lamps standing upright (secured). He told me I should store them laying down because the gas will settle to the bottom of the lamp and they won't light properly. I'm not buying it. I've been maintaining commercial buildings for over twenty years and have never heard that and have never had any problems.
Is there any validity to what he say's?
Is there any validity to what he say's?
#2
06-01-11, 05:38 PM
Super Moderator
Whenever I buy them in a store, they're always upright. I've never seen them laying down. So, that's how I store them in my home and they always work, no matter how long they've been standing upright! 
#5
06-02-11, 04:57 PM
Hey, HD stores theirs horizontally, so you guys need to cut slack. Sort of like if you don't bcap the neutral in a new construction box, what happens to all the current if it is energized? Does it back up and fall out the bare wire??? I mean, electrons have to have a home, too.
#6
06-02-11, 05:00 PM
Originally Posted by Gunguy45
Your coworker is either kinda dumb or just messing with you.
#8
06-04-11, 05:36 AM
I suspect it would not hurt, but I'm not convinced it matters, worst case turn it around just before you install it. Whenever you start a new bulb for the first time the gases always take a couple mins to "properly ogranized" and settle down to their operating state. That might be a good question for a manufacture's web site.
