Home - Article - Home Appliances - Compact Fluorescent Bulb
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb FAQs
How long do compact fluorescent light bulbs last?
Energy saving light bulbs last at least 5,000 hours - that's five times longer than your old bulbs!
If you used a lamp in the evening from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. - every day of the year - the lamp would produce beautiful, warm light for more than four and one-half years!
Will a compact fluorescent light bulb work in my regular socket?
Yes. . . compact fluorescent light bulbs fit perfectly in your standard incandescent sockets.
Aren't fluorescent lights always harsh, more glaring?
No. . compact fluorescent light bulbs have been designed to produce warm, pleasing light. You'll find it similar to our soft white bulbs.
Don't compact fluorescent light bulbs flicker when you turn them on?
No. . . Special technology eliminates this problem.
Why are the wattage numbers on compact fluorescent light bulbs different from regular bulbs?
Energy saving light bulb numbers are lower because the bulbs use less electricity. The technology makes the ultimate use of every watt. Although a compact fluorescent light bulb burns about as brightly as an incandescent, it uses much less power, saving you money, and thus has a lower wattage rating.
What wattages are available in compact fluorescent light bulbs?
Energy saving light bulbs are available to replace 25-, 40-, 60-, 75-, 100-, and 150-watt incandescents.
For example, a 15-watt compact fluorescent can replace a 75-watts incandescent bulb.
Fluorescent light output that is equal to the incandescent it replaces. Fluorescent lamp lumens decline during its longer life.
What effect will using compact fluorescent light bulbs have on our environment?
If high efficiency lighting products were used by everyone, we could reduce the amount of electricity needed for lighting by 50%. *Also, recycling efforts would be helped since there would be five times less old bulbs to throw out.
Environmental Protection Needed.
Where can I use compact fluorescent light bulbs?
Compact fluorescent bulbs are great for table lamps, downlighting, wall sconces, corridor lighting and enclosed outdoor fixtures.
Can the compact fluorescent light bulb be dimmed?
A brightness control is not permissable and also not possible.
Reason :
1)The electronic pre-switch system of the lamp contains a rectifier with a post-switch smoothing condensor (Elko). The Elko is always charged to the highest value of the alternating current, the mains current flowing quickly towards and as far as the maximum mains voltage. This configuration prohibits the operation of dimmers available in the trade as phase on and off dimmers damage the Elko due to their steep voltage gradient.
2)Most dimmers need a minimal load many times so that - even with a fully turned-on dimmer - its switching element does not find sufficient stopping power and therefore it switches on and off constantly. This damages compact fluorescent light bulb until it is destroyed and also endangers the dimmer.
Can compact fluorescent light bulb be operated with direct voltage?
Usually, 5W to 11W E27 and 5W to 7W E14 can be operated on a direct voltage between 176V to 340V besides the usual alternating power usage. This means, for instance, compact fluorescent light bulb may be operated with battery supplied 220/230V facilities in internal areas. At the lower limit of 176V the lamps will light perfectly in a environment with a temperature of 5°C to 50°C. They are not sensitive to over-voltages of the direct current grid up to 340V. compact fluorescent light bulb attains its relevant nominal data with direct voltage operation of 310V. The following typical deviations occur with other direct voltage values.
Table 1 : Electric and technical lighting data in direct voltage operation
Provision voltage Perfornance uptake Light power
310V DC 100% 100%
220V DC 70% 70%
180V DC 55% 55%
(*) = in percent
Sometime, 7W to 11W are also in principal suitable for emergency lighting facilities.
Does a frequent turning on of compact fluorescent light bulb lead to a shortened life?
A shortened life with frequent turning on of energy saving lamps only applies to the operation on conventional pre-switch systems.
LONGLIFE compact fluorescent light bulb have in their base E27 an integrated EVG. Due to the optimally adjusted electronics with a precisely defined warm start, the LONGLIFE compact fluorescent light bulb can be started especially gently. In this way they can be turned on just as frequently as light bulbs, provided that, before they are turned on again, there is an interval of 2 Minutes adhered to for the cold conductor to cool down.
LONGLIFE compact fluorescent light bulb attained even more than 500,000 switch ons when tested. These lamps can be used everywhere in the household without suffering a reduction in the life.
Is a substitution of lamps for compact fluorescent light bulb on the staircase possible and sensible?
A substitution for compact fluorescent light bulbs is only sensible if the the switch intervals are not too short.
1)It takes, after all, ca. 2 minutes at room temperatue until a DULUX has attained its full lighting output = brightness and therefore a turning off should not take place before the passing of this time period.
2)With a switching rhythm of 30 seconds to switch ON and 150 seconds to switch OFFwith the DULUX EL LONGLIFE, the number of switchings during the lifespan to a level of more than 500,000 has been attained
3)A noteworthy shortening of the life span only occurs if the switch off time is less than 2 minutes, which with staircase illumination happens especially frequently in the early hours of 7.00 hrs and 9.00 hrs in the morning and with automatic timeswitches as well.
4)In such a case, one should switch over to permanent operation during this time period so that no shortening of life span is experienced.
Does an compact fluorescent light bulb consume more electricity when switched on than when in permanent operation?
The power consumption when turning on a compact fluorescent light bulb is not higher than that during permanent operation.
When turning on, there is a higher current flow in- similar to light bulbs - but this is only for the duration of ca. 170ms and is not registered by the electricity meter.
A frequent turning on, therefore, has no negative influence on the power consumption.
Why does compact fluorescent light bulb 20W appear much darker than a light bulb of 100W ?
Energy saving light bulb 20W is 1200lm, and the light power of a 100W bulb is 1380 lm. From it you can see that the compact fluorescent light bulb 20W with in light power would be approximately equivalent to a "87W light bulb".
As bulbs of this performance level are not available on the market, it was decided to select for the pictogram on the outer packaging the nearest possible comparable output level in light power of conventional bulbs.
This enables the customer to assess this product.
It is to be observed that compact fluorescent light bulbs will require 2 minutes burn-in time after having been turned on until the full light power is attained.
Upon turning on, the light power amounts to approximately 40%.
It must also be taken into consideration that the compact fluorescent light bulb is a compact fluorescent lamp which has totally different deflection properties (i.e., distribution of light strength and light colour) if compared to a light bulb.
You may, of course, if you wish to receive more light, go to the next highest output level ( 23W) without any problems and you will still save a great amount of energy and money even with a higher lighting strength.
Is the mercury in the compact fluorescent light bulb ecologically reasonable?
The fluorescent lamp like all traditional fluorescent lamps contains low levels of mercury.
Do compact fluorescent light bulb contain radioactive constituents?
Compact fluorescent lamps with integrated electronic pre-switch systems do not contain radioactive constituents. (such as, for example, Krypton 85), also do not contain radioactive substances. This also applies to the appropriate electronic pre-switch system.
Is there a broadcast reception interference if compact fluorescent light bulb are used?
These lamps are discharge lamps with an electronic pre-switch system which operates with an operating frequency between 30 und 45 kHz depending on type of lamp. With it also higher frequency upper wave lengths are produced that are being dampened by transmitter non-interference filters so that the issued legally prescribed border values and cable associated interferences are in no way exceeded.
These prescriptions are laid down in DIN VDE 0875 Part 2 resp. CISPR 15.
The low residual transmission can, however, bring about interferences, if the reception aerial is in the proximity of the lamp (for example, with a distance of less than 1 to 3 metres for long wave). Similar interferences will occur, for example, with computers and other gadgets used in households and offices that have switching components.
Possibilities of restricting interferences:
larger distances between lamp and reception aerial
with ferrite aerials: keep turning for minimum interference
by using external aerials (the best solution, however, often not possible to implement)
If cable associated interferences prove to be incompatible with neighbouring gadgets, then this must be blamed on the insufficient filter expenditure for the de-coupling of mains interferences via the broadcasting receiver and is not due to compact fluorescent light bulb, as lamps as already mentioned, comply with the regulation for broadcasting interference and interference protection and, therefore, carry the CE labelling of the European Union.
The light is usually slightly different from that of incandescents?
It is often slightly less yellow and slightly more pink, more purple, or more blue. The spectral output of these lamps is usually concentrated in a few specific bands of the spectrum, and this can slightly distort color rendering. Any color difference from other nearby lamps may be undesirable and result in less than pleasing contrast with ordinary lamps and ceiling fixtures. Newer models have been addressing this issue.
I've heard that CFLs contain mercury. Should I be concerned about it and how should I dispose of my CFLs?
An extremely small amount of mercury, an average of 4 milligrams, is sealed within the glass tubing of a CFL. For a basis of comparison, there are about one to three grams of mercury in your average home thermometer. It would take between 250 to 1000 CFLs to equal that same amount of mercury! CFLs are safe to use in your home: No mercury is released when the bulbs are in use and they pose no danger to you or your family when handled properly.
Any product containing mercury should be handled with care, so always dispose of CLFs properly:
1)Some communities offer disposal or recycling programs that accept spent CFLs. Check with your local or municipal government entity responsible for waste collection or household hazardous waste. You can also visit www.lamprecycle.org to research your state's disposal laws and recycling programs. 2)If no local option exists in your area, you can lawfully dispose of CFLs in your household garbage. To reduce the risk of bulb breakage or contamination, and to protect yourself from cuts, wrap the bulb in a sealed plastic bag and discard with your trash.
3)Never incinerate CFLs (or any other mercury-containing product for that matter). Incineration releases mercury back into the environment in its most hazardous form.
4)If your ENERGY STAR?-qualified bulb fails within the one-year warranty period, return to the place of purchase for a replacement bulb.
Additional information regarding CFLs and Mercury is available in the 'Environmental Issues' section of the LightSite web site, or from the CFLs & Mercury Fast Facts (PDF 37 KB)* brochure provided by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.
Can CFLs be used inside enclosed fixtures?
CFLs were designed to fit inside most existing exterior and interior fixtures that currently use 40W to 100W standard incandescent light bulbs -- whether open or enclosed. These include coach lights, jelly jars, drum (ceiling or wall) lights, globe lights, recessed lights, post lights, walkway lights, etc.
Can CFLs be used in wet locations?
CFLs should not be put in fixtures where they will come into direct contact with water. They are, however, appropriate for use in most outdoor fixtures exposed to water so long as the lamps themselves are protected from direct water exposure.
Can CFLs be used in salt-air or extremely humid environments?
CFLs can be used in a salt-air or extremely humid environments in the same application as one uses standard incandescent light bulbs.
Can CFLs be used in interior lighting fixtures?
CFLs can be used in most interior fixtures where a standard incandescent light bulb is used. Exceptions include three-way fixtures (e.g., table lamps), dimmers, and fixtures where the shade rests/clips on the light bulb (a sub-CFL has a different shape than a light bulb). The light bulbs can be used in three-way switches, but only one of the three light levels will work.
What is a Watt?
It's important to understand energy use in lamps when you choose from today's full array of lighting technologies. The amount of light given off is measured in lumens. One lumen is the equivalent of the light given off by one candle. A watt, on the other hand, is the amount of electricity a light bulb uses to produce light - it's not an indication of brightness.
The distinction is important, because a new 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulb produces as much light - as many lumens - as a traditional 60-watt incandescent bulb. As much light, using only one- quarter of the electrical energy!
That's why one of the easiest and fastest ways to cut your home or office energy bill is to improve its lighting efficiency. If you replace 25 percent of the lights in high-use areas with fluorescents, you can save about 50 percent of your lighting energy bill.
What else should I keep in mind?
Energy saving light bulbs are perfect for hard-to-reach places where changing a bulb is difficult. They fit most fixtures around your house but are not designed for fixtures with dimmers, photocells or those with shades that clip onto the bulb.
There are answers of some questions about compact fluorescent light bulb FAQs.
Keywords
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb,FAQs
Sponsored Links
Relative Company
Relative Product