| When I was a kid, my dad had a CFL lamp (triple U-Tube type of CFL) from GE. My guess based on how it started up,
was that it was semi-resonant start. It might've been programmed start, but I doubt it.
Anyways, every time he turned on that light in the basement (he used it for his small office area) the light would
fire up, but it would flicker SIGNIFICANTLY. As the lamp warmed up, the flickering would subside and the lamp
would work like normal... except... as it operated, there was a very noticeable 120hz flicker. A lot like magnetic
ballasted CFL's, or preheat lamps. Also, this CFL had significant end blackening from one of the ends. Despite this,
it was obvious that the flickering had nothing to do with the end blackening, since there was absolutely no color
changing, hotspot movement, etc. Actually, that end blackening had been there the entire time I've seen that lamp, even
before it started doing the crazy flicker/120hz.
My dad threw it away in one of his trash cans in his office, and replaced it with an incandescent lamp. I noticed this,
and grabbed it out of the trash can. I installed it into one of my table lamps. Switched it on and watched it flicker
like crazy. I kept an eye on the blackened end for orange flashing... nope, nothing.
Then I turned the light off, and then back on again. The light didn't fire up this time, and a loud continuous
crackle and pop sound came from the base of the lamp, as well as blue flickering light, and smoke.
I got scared and said, "Oooooohhhh, that's why." I was referring to why my dad threw away the lamp.
I threw the lamp away after that.
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