Incandescent lamp
FLUORESCENT LAMP
Mercury Lamp
Metal Halide Lamp
High Pressure Sodium Lamp
Low Pressure Sodium Lamp
Lighting Fixtures
Fluorescent Lamp
The Fluorescent Lamp was first introduced in 1937. It was considered the best and most widely used type of
lamp. Generally, it comes in varieties of sizes, wattages, colors, voltages arid specific applications.
Fluorescent lamp requires ballast in its circuit. The ballast is basically made of coil to limit the current in the
circuit in which, isn’t controlled, will open the fuse or circuit breaker.
Characteristics of a Fluorescent Lamp
1. The fluorescent lamp efficacy is much higher than the incandescent lamp.
2. About 200% of its input energy becomes light, 80% is converted to heat including the ballast heat energy loss.
Efficiency refers to the amount of energy converted to visible light.
Efficacy - is a measure of the lumens per watt produced by the lamp.
Life Span of Fluorescent Lamp
The average rated life of a fluorescent light bulb is 8 to 15 times longer that of incandescent. Fluorescent light bulbs
typically have a rated lifespan of 7,000 to 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured to have a
lifespan of 750 hours or 1,000 hours.
TYPICAL DETAIL OF A FLUORESCENT LAMP
Pre-Heat Lamp
The original fluorescent lamp is the preheated design. The circuit used is a separate starter. When the lamp
circuit is closed, the starter energizes the cathode. After 2 to 5 seconds delay, it initiates a high voltage arc across the
lamp causing it to start. The preheat fluorescent lamp is ordered m the following specifications:
F 20 T 12 WW which means:
Fluorescent lamp 20 watts,
Tubular shaped bulb 12/8 inches diameter
Warm White
Rapid Start Lamp
The Rapid Start Lamp was introduced in 1952. It was typically the same in construction as the preheat lamp. The
basic difference is the circuitry that eliminates the delay inherent in preheat circuit by constantly keeping the cathodes
energized or preheated.
The 40W Tl2 is the most popular lamp represented by code name F40 T12 WW [Link]. This high ou1put lamp bas a
recessed contact base that requires special circuit and ballast that are not interchangeable with any other types of lamp.
This type of lamp, however, has shorter life span and is less efficient · compared with the 4200 milli-ampere rapid Start
lamp. Most of the rapid Start lamps operate at 425 milli-amperes
Another objection to this type of lamp, is the glare ·it produces aside from its very limited application: However,
this lamp is specially Used for outdoor sign lighting, street lighting, and merchandise display.
There are two special types of output rapid start lamps. Namely:
1. One that operates at 800 milli-amperes caned High. Output (HO)
2. One that operates at 1500 milli-amperes (1.5 amp.) · called; Very High Output (VHO); Super High Output or
Simply 1500 milli-ampere Rapid Start Lamp. In ordering this type of lamp, the abbreviation is:
F 48 T 12/CW/VHO which means:
Fluorescent,48 in. long, Tubular 12/8 in diameter bulb
Cool White, Very High Output (1500 mla.) or
F 72 T 12/CW/HO which means:
Fluorescent 72 in. long, Tubular 12/8 in. diameter tube
Cool White, High Output (8000 mla.)
Instant Start Fluorescent Lamp
Instant start ballast applies high voltage across the lamp with no preheating of the cathode. THIS IS THE MOST
ENERGY EFFICIENT starting method for fluorescent lamp ballasting. I.S. ballast use 1.5 to 2 watts less per lamp than rapid
start ballast. Other I.S. ballast benefits typically include parallel lamp circuitry, (ballast wired with parallel lamp circuitry
is what allows other lamps to continue burning when one or two go out without damage to the ballast or lamp), longer
remote wiring distance, easier installation due to less complicated wiring, and capability to start lamps at 0 degrees F
versus 50 degrees for rapid start.
FLUORESCENT LAMP DATA
Abbreviations: CW-cool white, WW-warm white, CWX-cool white luxe, D-daylight
Characteristics and Operation of Fluorescent Lamp
1. Life Span - depends on the burning hours per start.
2. Lumen Output -decreases rapidly during the first 100 hours of burning and thereafter much more slowly.
3. Efficacy - depends on the operating current and the phosphors utilized. Generally, the warm white lamp is
more efficient than the white, cool white, daylight and colored lamps.
High Output Lamps
