Fluorescent Lamp

A Fluorescent Lamp is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) be more energy-efficient than an Incandescent Light Bulb, converting electrical energy into light more efficiently.
  • It can (often) require an Electrical Ballast to regulate the electric current passing through the lamp.
  • It can (often) have a slower start time and may flicker initially before reaching full brightness.
  • It can (often) be subject to recycling regulations due to the mercury content, as mandated by environmental protection agencies.
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  • It can range in application from residential lighting to commercial and industrial use, where energy efficiency is prioritized.
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  • It can contain mercury, making it necessary to follow proper disposal or recycling procedures to avoid environmental contamination.
  • It can be found in both linear tube and compact forms, with the latter known as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs).
  • It can have a longer lifespan compared to incandescent bulbs, but generally shorter than most LED Lamps.
  • It can be used in settings that require a high level of luminous efficacy, such as offices, schools, and retail environments.
  • It can emit a light spectrum that can be modified by varying the composition of the phosphor coating, allowing for different color temperatures.
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• Example(s):
  • a Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) (a smaller, spiral-shaped fluorescent lamp), used as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs in household settings.
  • a T8 Fluorescent Tube (a narrow, 1-inch diameter fluorescent lamp), commonly used in office and industrial lighting fixtures for its energy efficiency and long life.
  • a Blacklight Fluorescent Lamp (a fluorescent lamp designed to emit ultraviolet light), used in various applications including forensic analysis, artistic displays, and pest control.
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• Counter-Example(s):
  • an Incandescent Light Bulb, which operates by heating a filament until it glows, rather than using fluorescence.
  • an LED Lamp, which uses light-emitting diodes to produce light and generally has higher energy efficiency and a longer lifespan than fluorescent lamps.
• See: Compact Fluorescent Lamp, Electronic Ballast, Gas-Discharge Lamp, Ultraviolet, Luminous Efficacy.

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References

2024

• (Wikipedia, 2024) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp Retrieved:2024-8-13.
  • A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp to glow. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical energy into useful light much more efficiently than an incandescent lamp, but is less efficient than most LED lamps. The typical luminous efficacy of fluorescent lighting systems is 50–100 lumens per watt, several times the efficacy of incandescent bulbs with comparable light output. For comparison, the luminous efficiency of an incandescent bulb may only be 16 lumens per watt.

    Fluorescent lamp fixtures are more costly than incandescent lamps because, among other things, they require a ballast to regulate current through the lamp, but the initial cost is offset by a much lower running cost. Compact fluorescent lamps made in the same sizes as incandescent lamp bulbs are used as an energy-saving alternative to incandescent lamps in homes.

    In the United States, fluorescent lamps are classified as universal waste. The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that fluorescent lamps be segregated from general waste for recycling or safe disposal, and some jurisdictions require recycling of them.

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