How does a compact fluorescent light bulb work?

Fluorescent light bulbs (including compact fluorescents) are more energy-efficient than regular bulbs because of the different method they use to produce light. Regular bulbs (also known as incandescent bulbs) create light by heating a filament inside the bulb; the heat makes the filament white-hot, producing the light that you see. A lot of the energy used to create the heat that lights an incandescent bulb is wasted. A fluorescent bulb, on the other hand, contains a gas that produces invisible ultraviolet light (UV) when the gas is excited by electricity. The UV light hits the white coating inside the fluorescent bulb and the coating changes it into light you can see. Because fluorescent bulbs don’t use heat to create light, they are far more energy-efficient than regular incandescent bulbs.

What’s the difference between a compact fluorescent light bulb and a fluorescent lamp?

The primary difference is in size; compact fluorescent tubes are made in special shapes (which require special technologies) to fit in standard household light sockets (Edison screw, bayonet and gu10) like table lamps and ceiling fixtures. In addition, most compact fluorescent bulbs have an “integral” ballast that is built into the light bulb, whereas most fluorescent tubes require separate ballast independent of the Lamp. The integral version is not recognized as a dedicated fixture because it utilizes lamp bases that are interchangeable with a halogen light source.

What is the equivalent of halogen wattages in the format of dedicated compact fluorescent fittings?

While a regular (halogen) light bulb uses heat to produce light, a fluorescent lamp creates light using an entirely different method that is far more energy-efficient, in fact 3-5 times more efficient. This means that you can buy a 13-watt dedicated compact fluorescent fitting that produces the same amount of light as a 50-watt regular halogen bulb.

50w - 13w
75w - 18w
100w - 26w

Why do fluorescent light bulbs need ballast?

Fluorescent lamps need a ballast because they use a gas to create light. Regular light bulbs (also known as incandescent or halogen) create light by heating a filament inside the bulb. The heat makes the filament white-hot, producing the light that you see. In a fluorescent bulb, when the gas is excited by electricity, it emits invisible ultraviolet light that hits the white coating inside the fluorescent bulb. The coating changes the ultraviolet light into light you can see. (a large percentage of energy used to create the heat, that lights an incandescent or halogen bulb is wasted. Fluorescent lamps don’t use heat to create light, which makes them far more energy-efficient.)
The combination of gas, electricity, and coating in a fluorescent lamp is so effective at producing light that, without something to regulate the electricity flowing into the bulb, the light will continue to gain intensity until the lamp stops working. This is a why a ballast is required, it supplies the initial electricity that creates the light, and then it regulates the amount of electricity flowing through the lamp, so that the right amount of light is emitted.

What is ballast, and how does one work?

Ballast is an electrical component used with a fluorescent lamp to conduct electricity at each end of the tube. It supplies the initial electricity to the bulb that creates light, and then it regulates the amount of electricity flowing through the bulb so that it emits the right amount of light. Greenlighting only use high frequency ballast’s for maximum efficacy.

Can I dim compact fluorescent light with a dimmer switch?

Greenlighting manufacture dimming compact fluorescent luminaries, these luminaries have specially designed ballast’s and dimming plates to offer smooth dimming.

Do you require additional wiring for dimmable luminaries?

No extra wiring will be necessary if you choose a luminaries with Greenlighting’s Eds2 dimmable ballast and dimmer plate.

Why does my compact fluorescent light bulb flicker or appear dim when I first turn it on?

The first compact fluorescent bulbs flickered when they were turned on because it took a few seconds for the ballast to produce enough electricity to excite the gas inside the bulb. Thanks to the refined technology in all our high frequency ballasts, there is now no significant flicker. The period before they reach full brightness has been reduced to seconds rather than minutes and on start up the will offer up to 70% of the maximum output.
Because of these problems compact fluorescent lamps they have always been recommended to be used in locations that the fittings are left on for longer periods of time, but with technology becoming more affordable, and quality of fluorescent light moving towards the warmth of halogen these fittings can now be utilized in all locations.

Can I use a CFL in applications where I will be turning the lights on/off frequently?

Yes, with the warm start protection of a high frequency ballast coupled with improved lamp technology cfl’s can be used in all locations. Frequent switching will offer a reduced lamp life and may drop to as low as 7,000 – 8,000 hrs (3-5yrs dependent on usage)

Can I use a compact fluorescent lamp with an electronic timer or photocell ?

Electronic timers and photo cells can contain components that are non-compatible with compact fluorescent lamps, using these lamps in incompatible products will result in lamp failure. We use a photo cell and passive infra red within our exterior fitting 100/9 this utilizes a 9w cfl on a photo cell (dusk to dawn setting) with security halogen lamp of only 100w. Manufactured fittings that incorporate these features will have been tested and should offer no problems.

Is it true that CFLs contain mercury? Why and how much?

CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 5 milligrams (roughly equivalent to the tip of a ball-point pen). Mercury is an essential, irreplaceable element in CFLs and is what allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. By comparison, older home thermometers contain 500 milligrams of mercury and many manual thermostats contain up to 3000 milligrams. It would take between 100 and 600 CFLs to equal those amounts.
There is currently no substitute for mercury in CFLs; however, manufacturers have taken significant steps to reduce mercury used in their fluorescent lighting products over the past decade.