From NewsMax.com:

‘Rough Service’ Loophole Skirts Ban on Incandescent Bulbs

by Greg Richter

Just as 100- and 75-watt incandescent light bulbs were banned from sale this year, their 60- and 40-watt counterparts will face the same fate on New Year’s Day.

But one manufacturer whose family has been making lights for generations has found a loophole: the “rough service” bulb.

Rough-service bulbs are essentially the same as any other incandescent bulb, but are built to be more sturdy for heavy-duty applications. Automobiles and subways are among users of rough-service bulbs, which are less susceptible to vibration because they typically have an extra wire to support the filament.

They can, however, be used in homes just like the regular bulbs that are being phased out.

Of course, in Fornicalia — the quintessential Left Coast — incandescent bulbs were banned on January 1st of 2012, to include the 100-watt bulb.  A maximum of 72 watts were allowed, including CFLs and LEDs.

On January 1st of 2014, other incandescent bulbs — including the staid and serviceable 75-, 60- and 40-watt bulbs — will now be illegal to build and sell in the United States of America.

With regard to the “rough service” bulb, however, Wikipedia writes:

Light bulbs outside of this range are exempt from the restrictions. Also exempt are several classes of specialty lights, including appliance lamps, rough service bulbs, 3-way, colored lamps, stage lighting, plant lights, candelabra lights under 60 watts, outdoor post lights less than 100 watts, nightlights and shatter resistant bulbs.^[51]

Continuing, from NewsMax:

(Owner of the Light Bulk Store in New Jersey, Larry) Birmbaum’s Newcandescent.com website offers bulbs up to 300 watts, touting them as “the legal light bulb.”

The rough-service bulbs last about three times longer than regular bulbs. That’s not as long as LEDs, which have been gaining popularity as their price has dropped, but LEDs still cost three to four times as much.

Both incandescents and LEDs offer more safety than CFL bulbs, which made many people wary after the Environmental Protection Agency issued guidelines for safe cleanup of mercury if they break.

CFLs have also been linked to cancer, migraine headaches, and other health problems.

These are issues that I have already identified here and here and here and here.  I already possess clear documentation that CFLs do not inherently last longer than regular incandescent bulbs.

And certainly it should not shock you that I possess a rather large and extensive personal stock of ILLEGAL incandescent bulbs.  Remember: when incandescent bulbs are outlawed, only OUTLAWS will possess incandescent bulbs — especially 100 watt units.

Check out NewCandescent.com and be your own outlaw.

BZ