Editing Compact fluorescent lamp (section)

===Dimming===
[[File:Dimmable CFL.jpg|thumb|upright|Dimmable integrated helical CFL that dims 2–100%, comparable to standard light bulb dimming properties]]
Only some CFLs are labeled for [[Dimmer|dimming]] control. Using a dimmer with a standard CFL is ineffective and can shorten bulb life and void the warranty.<ref>[http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm GE Lighting FAQ for CFL] retrieved 12 March 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626145829/http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm |date=June 26, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_warranty|title=CFL Warranty: Energy Star|website=www.energystar.gov|access-date=2019-12-18|archive-date=2020-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316215517/https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls_warranty|url-status=dead}}</ref> Dimmable CFLs are available. The dimmer switch used in conjunction with a dimmable CFL must be matched to its power consumption range;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lutron.com/en-US/Education-Training/Pages/LCE/DimmingCFLsandLEDs.aspx|title=Dimming CFLs and LEDs|website=www.lutron.com}}</ref> many dimmers installed for use with incandescent bulbs do not function acceptably below 40&nbsp;W, whereas CFL applications commonly draw power in the range 7–20&nbsp;W. Dimmable CFLs have been marketed before suitable dimmers are available. The dimming range of CFLs is usually between 20% and 90%,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dimmablecfls.com/ |title=Dimmable CFLs |publisher=Dimmable CFLs |access-date=2012-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621165133/http://www.dimmablecfls.com/ |archive-date=2012-06-21 |url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Unreliable source?|failed=y|date=October 2011}} but many modern CFLs have a dimmable range of 2% to 100%, more akin to that of incandescent lights. There are two types of dimmable CFL on the market: Standard dimmable CFLs, and "switch-dimmable" CFLs. The latter use a standard light switch, and the on-board electronics chooses the light output level based on the number of times the switch is turned on and off quickly. Dimmable CFLs are not a 100% replacement for incandescent fixtures that are dimmed for "mood scenes" such as [[Sconce (light fixture)|wall sconce]]s in a dining area. Below the 20% limit, the lamp may remain at 20% or flicker or the starter circuitry may stop and restart.<ref name=Yau2001>{{Cite book |last1=Yau |first1=E. K. F. |last2=Wing-Hung Ki |last3=Mok |first3=P. K. T. |last4=Sin |first4=J. K. O. |chapter=Phase-controlled dimmable CFL with PPFC and switching frequency modulation |title=2001 IEEE 32nd Annual Power Electronics Specialists Conference (IEEE Cat. No.01CH37230) |volume=2 |page=951 |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-7803-7067-8 |doi=10.1109/PESC.2001.954241 |s2cid=109878618}}</ref> Above 80%, the bulb may operate at 100%. However, recent products have solved these problems so that they perform more like incandescent lamps. Dimmable CFLs are more expensive than standard CFLs due to the additional circuitry.

[[Cold-cathode fluorescent lamp|Cold-cathode CFL]]s can be dimmed to low levels, making them popular replacements for incandescent bulbs on dimmer circuits.

When a CFL is dimmed, its color temperature (warmth) stays the same. This is counter to incandescent light sources, where color gets redder as the light source gets dimmer. The [[Kruithof curve]] from 1934 described an empirical relationship between intensity and color temperature of visually pleasing light sources.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}}