Green Products: Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) Bulb

A compact fluorescent lamp (bulb) is a miniature/miniaturized fluorescent lamp (usually tubular in form). Something to remember is that all fluorescent lamps whether its compact or not will require a ballast for the lamp to be able to function.

What are the types of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) Available?
What are the typical sizes of Fluorescent Lamps?
What are the benefits of a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and a Fluorescent Tube Lamp?
What are The disadvantages of Fluorescent Lamps?
Why is noise coming from my Fluorescent Lamp?

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Is it true what they say about mercury in CFL bulbs?
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Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

What are the types of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) Available?

There are two types of compact fluorescent lamps:

• Screw Based: directly replaces incandescent lamps in incandescent lamp sockets
• Plug in Base: designed to fit into sockets in luminaries designed specifically for compact fluorescent lamps

What are the typical sizes of Fluorescent Lamps?

Longest length of a fluorescent tube lamp is 8' long while the shortest can be 4". The most typically used lamp size is 4'.
Typical diameters are:

• 5/8" (T-5) - having a high output light source and becoming more popular for a typical lighting system
• 1" (T-8) - general all purpose use
• 1 1/2" (T-12) - an older style lamp that can be less energy efficient

What are the benefits of a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) and a Fluorescent Tube Lamp?

There are many benefits upon purchasing or using a compact fluorescent lamp. Here are some of the benefits when making your decision:

• energy efficiency
• good to excellent in color
• availability for dimmer switches and options (15 watt, 18 watt and 25 watt spirals usually come in dimmable form)
• most modern fixtures now are compatible with CFL
• has a longer life compared to that of an incandescent lamp (typical life range is from 6,000-10,000 hours or more)
• its less yellow in color thus creating a cooler temperature output
• there are tri-color lamps available for fluorescent lamps (tubes are available in 4ft and 8ft)

• gives off diffused shadowless light
• tube lamps are available in warm white and deluxe warm white to help improve color rendition, this helps make your lighting source more comfortable
• if your space originally had these types of lamps, make sure they are re-lamped with the same source otherwise, there might be a difference in your lighting source

What are The disadvantages of Fluorescent Lamps?

While there are benefits to this particular lamp there are also things one should know about when making a decision on a light source to purchase. Though fluorescent lamps are readily used in the commercial arena they are making their way for use in our homes. Yet some disadvantages that one must keep in mind are:

• they are sensitive to temperature (as many lamps are)
• this lamp does not give off a sufficient light source when the space is too cold or too hot, it works at its best in a room temperature space
• if the lamp does not start it is because its too cold and the lamp has reached below the minimum requirement for the ballast's starting temperature rating
• keep in mind that the information for the minimum temperature rating for a ballast is always available to you
• this particular lamp can be dimmed, but only with a use of an electronic dimming ballast: dimming range is typically 10-100% of light or better while some of the best ballasts might have a dimming range of 0.5-100%
• if a fluorescent lamp is dimmed it tends to be more purple in color output, in other words, when the lamp reaches lower output levels the lamp will change its color source
• though this lamp produces shadowless light sources it also might affect how we visually see detail
• the basic "daylight tube" is the most economical, but tends to project a blue-greenish light source that might affect your objects visually when looked at

Why is noise coming from my Fluorescent Lamp?

The humming sound is created because the magnetic ballast in the fluorescent lamp is weakening. It is time to replace the lamp. A ballast is an electrical device used in fluorescent fixtures to supply the necessary voltage and current to start and operate the lamp(s).

• over time the ballast will create a humming sound
• as the ballast weakens uncomfortable flickering will occur
• the lamp will begin giving off heat over time