Overview of the characteristics of fluorescent lamps

Device

The device of a fluorescent lamp has some similarities with the construction of incandescent lamps and halogen products. It consists of a sealed flask and electrodes.

The flask is filled with an inert gas and a small amount of mercury( up to 30 mg).The internal walls of the bulb are coated with a phosphor, which converts ultraviolet radiation into light visible to man. The electrodes are installed on both sides of the bulb( at the ends).The design of the electrode is the same tungsten filament, to which the contact legs are soldered, passing an electric current. The principle of action is the following: when the electricity passes, the electrode heats up and ultraviolet radiation arises, which passes through the walls of the bulb, is converted into a visible light flux.

Characteristics of

Technical characteristics of fluorescent lighting lamps:

• Power range of products - 15 to 80 W( for general purpose)
• Rated voltage - 220 and 127 V.
• Tungsten filament temperature - 2700 to 6500 degrees( Kelvin)
• Lightoutput - can reach a record 104 Lm / 1 W( average from 40 to 80 lm / 1 W)
• The size of the socle is 14 mm( min E14) and 27 mm( E27 standard).
• The diameter of the bulb is 12,16,26,38 mm.
• Service life - from 10,000 to 40,000 hours.
• Coefficient of efficiency exceeds 20%

Types

We bring to your attention the main types of fluorescent lamps:

• Linear
• Compact

Linear fluorescent light sources are used for lighting industrial and office buildings, as well as sports grounds. Their feature is high power and increased luminous efficiency. In addition, these products can save up to 30% of the consumed electricity, which is their main advantage.

Compact or in other words energy-saving lamps( CFL) are used for general purpose. They have a specific design, represented by a curved bulb. Products are used not only during the installation of lighting in the apartment, but also for the decorative illumination of storefronts, as well as the disinfection of hospital premises. The main advantage is high light output and a long service life.

Marking

To date, there are several markings of fluorescent lamps, now consider each of them.

Domestic

Domestic marking is represented by a digital-letter abbreviation, which is deciphered in the picture.

The first letter "L" is a lamp.

The second letter is a characteristic of the luminous flux( D - daytime, CB - cold white, TB - white, EB - naturally white, B - white, UV - ultraviolet, G - blue, C - blue, K - red, G - yellow, Z - green).

The third letter is the quality of color rendering( C - improved quality, CG - especially high quality).

The fourth letter is a constructive feature( A-amalgam, B-quick start, K-ring, P-reflector, Y-shaped).

The number after the letters is the power in W.

We draw your attention to the fact that the abbreviation LXE and LE, which means natural light and cold natural light, can be present in the marking of the fluorescent lamp.

Foreign

The foreign marking is presented in this table:

As you can see, instead of a digital-letter cipher, a three-digit number is used, as well as a definition in the form of a simple signature in English( for example, cool white brand and translating "cold light").

Advantages of

Energy saving fluorescent bulbs have a lot of advantages, therefore in the world market of light sources take the second place after leaders - LED products.

1. High energy-saving performance, in which they exceed the incandescent lamps;
2. Good quality of light and light output;
3. A wide variety of products for special and general purposes;
4. Long service life( an order of magnitude longer than halogen lamps).

Disadvantages of

Among the disadvantages of fluorescent lamps are:

1. Increased cost of products;
2. Harmful effect on the well-being of a person with prolonged exposure to artificial lighting. In addition, these housekeepers are harmful to the eyes;
3. The service life is noticeably shorter with frequent on / off lights;
4. Fail in case of voltage drops( additional surge protection device must be installed);
5. The intensity of lighting can not be adjusted with a dimmer;
6. It is forbidden to use in dusty and damp areas( for example, when installing electrical wiring in a bath);
7. Poor performance at low temperatures;
8. If the flask is broken, mercury can adversely affect the human body;
9. Require specialized disposal, which may not be present in every city.

As you can see, the disadvantages of these products are greater than the advantages. Nevertheless, with proper use, all the shortcomings immediately "fly off", leaving only the main advantage - high energy-saving properties.

Scope of application

To date, "housekeeper" is used wherever possible: for lighting the house, for lighting shop windows, in street lighting. In addition, these light sources are widely used in the creation of TVs, becauseThe plasma screen belongs to a group of fluorescent lighting sources.

The most suitable area of ​​application of fluorescent lamps is the illumination of large areas: stadiums, playgrounds and even a yard in a private house( as shown in the photo).This is due to the fact that such products have high light output and at the same time will be switched on once a day.

Here we have figured out the technical characteristics, pluses and minuses of fluorescent lamps. We hope that this information was useful and interesting for you!
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