Fluorescent light bulbs are perhaps the lighting instrument that is used everywhere these days for lighting needs of all types. Fluorescent light bulbs consume less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They can have superior color rendition as well as a longer rated life so it is not unanticipated that they have displaced old standard bulbs in numerous applications.
The main objective of this article is to discuss the operational principles behind fluorescent light bulbs and give some insight on these types of bulbs by discussing their strengths and weakness in an easy going and straight forward approach.
A fluorescent bulb contains a gas that produces ultraviolet light once the gas is excited by electric current. The ultraviolet light gets changed into visible light after hitting the white coating, known as phosphors, inside the fluorescent bulb. Fluorescents most often come in cool white (CW), warm white (WW) with a pinkish tint, "enhanced white" (EW) that is more neutral and a very cold daylight white (DW).
Fluorescent Light Bulbs are available in almost all the major brands Ge, Sylvania and Phillips. From T4 lamps to T12 lamps, there are preheat, rapid start, high output and very high output fluorescent lamps in the market.
How Fluorescent Bulbs are different from Incandescent Light Bulbs
Fluorescent and Compact Fluorescent bulbs are more energy efficient than Standard Incandescent bulbs. Although they are a bit more expensive but the initial higher cost can be compensated with the energy saving that is provided by Fluorescent light. Not only do Florescent bulbs consume less energy, but they also last longer meaning that the user need not change the bulb often.
They also provide the White cooler light. They generate relatively less heat and their surface did not get that much hot as Incandescent bulb. As Incandescent bulbs get very hot, Proper precautions should be taken to avoid Fires.
T8 fluorescent light bulbs
These types of fluorescent light bulbs are available in different sizes and wattages in the market. They result in high energy saving. They are used with electronic ballasts. The bulbs like the linear type and bipin are the most admired and accepted bulbs. They come with different names such as F32T8, F25T8, F17T8, F96T8 and F40T8 lamps and bulbs. The F96T8 is a light bulb with slim line and very high productivity. Their Color temperatures have a range of 3000 k to 5000 k. The F32T8 is also very popularly used in office fixtures and equipments. The F25T8 or F17T8 is more frequently used in functions like task lighting .
T12 fluorescent light bulbs
T12 fluorescent light bulbs are the light bulb that has been in use for more than 50 years in offices. T12 fluorescent bulbs have a diameter of 1.5". They normally function on magnetic ballasts. F40T12 is most common cool white bulb and has the least cost among all T12 fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs are available in different brands having some as C50, full spectrum spectralite, Chroma 50. They vary in color too. Some of the manufacturers include Sylvania , GE, Philips and many other small producers.
Disposal of fluorescent light bulbs
Fluorescent light bulbs are more energy efficient and have a longer rated life than standard incandescent light bulbs. However, there are some health, environmental and ecological apprehensions linked with the utilization and disposal of fluorescent light bulbs. But, recycling of these types of bulbs considerably lessens these problems.
Fluorescent light bulbs have small amount of mercury in them. Inappropriate disposal of fluorescent lamps can pollute and contaminate the environment. Mercury is poisonous to the human nervous system and results in malfunctions of several body parts if consumed directly or indirectly.
When fluorescent bulbs are properly recycled, there is a major reduction in environmental mercury from the energy savings. When fluorescent light bulbs are recycled, mercury and the phosphor powder, the glass, metal, and other materials are sorted out for recycling. The ballast can be recycled to reclaim valuable metals such as copper and steel, thereby reducing the volume of solid waste sent to landfills.
Less energy is consumed by fluorescent light bulbs than standard incandescent bulbs