2

I purchased a 100 watt LED and a 3 way lamp, but now that it is all assembled I have just read in the instructions:

Lamp is rated for max 150 watt incandescent, Type A E-26, 3-way bulb. DO NOT USE HALOGEN BULB WITH THIS LAMP. Halogen bulbs operate at a higher temperature and pose a fire hazard

They don't mention LED. Is it safe for me to use the LED bulb? I just don't want to start a fire and I didn't see anything posted about safety warnings in the instructions.

6
  • Is the LED bulb an actual 3-way bulb equivalent?
    – Michael Karas
    Oct 7, 2014 at 3:28
  • @MichaelKaras, With an LED, 3 way becomes mute. The switch becomes on/off and not off/low/med/high. As for LED, I'm assuming it's a 100 watt equivalent which would be safe to use. LED's of equivalent wattage as incandescent run much cooler.
    – diceless
    Oct 7, 2014 at 3:46
  • @diceless: I don't know what the original poster purchased but there are actually 3-way LED bulbs.
    – Hank
    Oct 7, 2014 at 4:12
  • @HenryJackson, I would love to find some. All my table lamps are 3 way and the 3 way CF's are too big to fit. Haven't seen any 3 way LED's in stores in my area so just using standard LED's in them.
    – diceless
    Oct 7, 2014 at 4:23
  • @diceless: The Home Depot near me has a few 3-way LED models in stock and more online. Also I see Amazon.com has a few as well. They're more expensive than "regular" bulbs but the prices seem to be coming down.
    – Hank
    Oct 7, 2014 at 5:41

3 Answers 3

4

I'm assuming this is a 100 watt equivalent bulb, that is actually only running 18-20 watts. Using a 100 watt equivalent will be safe as they run much cooler than even an incandescent.

1

LED's of any consumer wattage run cool enough to use in any incandescent-rated socket. The warning is specific to halogen incandescent bulbs, which run hotter than standard incandescents.

Go for it.

-1

In general yes. Use an LED bulb that is marked 'dimmable', and do not use it in an enclosed glass fixture -- many of the bulbs are made of plastic and can melt.

Also, look for a bulb that has more even light distribution; older bulbs often had the LED elements on a rectangular bar that created 'stripes' of higher and lower intensity light, all of which looks terrible in a lamp.

1
  • 1
    Getting a dimmable will have no effect. 3-way is not the same as dimmable (the former uses two filaments at mains voltage, the latter uses reduced voltages) Jul 12, 2018 at 17:38

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.