Showing posts with label Fluorescent lamp. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fluorescent lamp. Show all posts

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Fixtures

LED lamp with E27 Edison screw.

Fixtures

Specifying an energy-efficient lighting technology, such as T8 or T5 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts, is a critical step to improving the energy efficiency of your facility and saving money.

 However, lighting is a system and depends on the quality of the fixture (the apparatus that contain the lamp), combined with the lamp, ballast and placement (the position of fixtures in a room, which affects the amount of usable light that is supplied).

Fixtures come in a wide variety of applications. Fixture selection may be guided by:
  • Efficient technology
  • Ceiling height
  • Spacing
  • Amount of glare
  •  Distribution of light
  • Task plane height
  • Desired light level
  • Appearance
For the best energy efficiency and light quality consult a lighting professional or designer when selecting fixtures.


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Energy-Efficient Fluorescent Lighting Systems

Look for this logo when considering your new r...

 Energy-Efficient Fluorescent Lighting Systems:

 These systems, using T8 (1" in diameter) and T5 (5/8" in diameter) lamps, offer improved efficiency, higher intensity, and potentially longer life due to reduced degradation in light output over time. T8 and T5 lighting systems are constantly increasing in flexibility and are now applicable to a variety of task and accent lighting applications, as well as general lighting of larger spaces.

To learn more about T8 and T5 lamps visit:
  • ENERGY STAR Qualified Products

  • National Lighting Product Information Program: "Lighting Answers: T8 Fluorescent Lamps" Fact Sheet 

  • National Lighting Product Information Program: Lighting Answers: T5 Fluorescent Systems.

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High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting Systems

HID lights installed on a fuel island at a Mar...
HID lights installed on a fuel island at a Marathon Gas Station in northern Michigan.

High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lighting Systems

Due to their intensity, HID lighting systems are useful for lighting large areas from high ceilings, and range from 50 to 2,000 watts each. Older HID installations are often mercury vapor lamps, an extremely inefficient design. Like fluorescent lamps,

 HID systems have ballasts, and systems built before 1978 may contain potentially harmful substances such as PCBs (Polychlorinated biphenyls).

HID lamps are commonly used in the following applications:
  • Garages
  • Warehouses
  • Areas with high ceilings
  • Exterior safety and security lighting
  • Accent lighting

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Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Modern fluorescent light bulb with E27 thread ...
Image via Wikipedia

Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)

CFLs are fluorescent lamps that have been specifically made in a compact form to replace incandescent lamps in traditional screw-in fixtures. These energy-efficient lamps come in a variety of styles and sizes and are suitable for a variety of applications. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use 75% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent with a 32-watt CFL can save approximately $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
The long life of CFLs makes them ideal to use in hard-to-reach places due to their reduced need to be replaced as often. In addition, CFLs are cool to the touch, making them safer than incandescent and halogen lamps. To learn more about CFLs visit:
  • ENERGY STAR Qualified Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
  • DOE EERE Consumer's Guide: Compact Fluorescent Lamps
  • National Lighting Product Information Program's Screwbase Compact Fluorescent Lamp Products Report
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Energy-Efficient Electronic Ballasts

An electronic ballast and permanently attached...
Image via Wikipedia Energy-Efficient Electronic Ballasts: When specifying a fluorescent lighting system, always specify electronic ballasts. These ballasts provide near flicker-free operation while using up to 30% less energy than magnetic ballasts.
To learn more about electronic ballasts visit:
  • ENERGY STAR Qualified Products
  • National Lighting Product Information Program: "Electronic Ballasts" Fact Sheet 
  • National Lighting Product Information Program: "Guide to Specifying High-Frequency Electronic Ballasts" 
Project Suggestion
You may be able to "de-lamp" or remove some of the lamps in your system and still have acceptable light levels, especially in concert with a T8 retrofit. Consult your lighting professional to see if this is an option for your facility.

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Fluorescent Lighting

Image via Wikipedia

Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lamp with segmental reflection. Ph...Fluorescent lighting is the "standard" technology for lighting spaces such as offices and classrooms, and is up to four times more efficient than the incandescent lamp. However, older, obsolete fluorescent lighting systems can result in poor light quality and flicker. Advancements in fluorescent lighting systems have resulted in the introduction of new systems that provide improved energy efficiency, lighting quality, and design flexibility.
The primary components of standard fluorescent lighting systems are the ballast, which modifies incoming voltage and controls electrical current, and the lamp (bulb or tube), the source of artificial light.
Traditional Systems:
  • T12 Fluorescent Lamps: One of the most common, but least efficient fluorescent systems. T12 lamps can be identified by their 1.5-inch diameter.
  • Magnetic Ballasts: Magnetic ballasts are common and still used extensively today due to their low initial cost. However, these ballasts are considerably less efficient than new electronic ballast designs and are prone to flicker and humming (particularly as they age).
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