Torchiere

A torchiere (tour-she-AIR or tour-SHARE), or torch lamp, is a lamp with a tall stand of wood or metal. Originally, torchieres were candelabra, usually with two or three lights. When it was first introduced in France towards the end of the 17th century the torchiere mounted one candle only, and when the number was doubled or tripled the improvement was regarded almost as a revolution in the lighting of large rooms.

Today, torchiere lamps use fluorescent or halogen light bulbs. Halogen torchieres usually have a TRIAC dimmer circuit built into the stem. The same circuit will not work in a fluorescent torchiere for the same reason that it won't work in other types of fluorescent applications. Namely, because the pulsing will cause the arc in the fluorescent tube to become erratic. This is overcome by adjusting the pulse-width modulation in the electronic ballast instead; and most fluorescent torchieres use this method.

Halogen torchieres have been banned in some places, such as dormitories, because of the large numbers of fires they have caused. Halogen bulbs operate at high temperatures and the tall height of the lamps bring them near flammable materials, such as curtains.

References

*1911