[Hallicrafters] OT"Light and Timer

[W4AWM at aol.com]

Hi Ollie,

The reason for the caution is that some of the electronic timers use a triac 
as the switching device. It will not handle the inductive load that is 
presented by the ballast in the fluorescent lamps.

Triacs are the switching media in most so called "lamp" timers while timers 
for appliances use a relay. The X-10, Plug N Power and others have triacs for 
switching unless they are marked as appliance units.  This is true of the wall 
switchges as well as the switched outlets.  The appliance timers and switches 
are usually plug in units.
My experience is that 99% of the appliance timers will operate a flourescent 
lamp.

Triacs themselves are a source of HF noise when operating and this extends 
down into the AM broadcast band in some cases. Fluorescent lamps cannot be 
dimmed by any of these modules.

73 and Happy Holidays,

John,  W4AWM