Can Cfl Bulbs Be Used in Enclosed Fixtures

Meaty Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) are a low energy alternative to traditional incandescent bulbs. Instead of a tungsten filament, CFLs consist of a drinking glass tube filled with mercury vapour and gas, with an electrode at either end of the tube.

How Do CFLs Work?

When an electrical current passes through the gas, it ignites the mercury vapour, which and so releases ultra-violet lite. Considering ultra-violet light is invisible to the human heart, a phosphor powder blanket is practical to the inside of the glass tube. When the ultra-violet photons interact with this phosphor coating, information technology fluoresces and emits light. The colour temperature of the lamp tin can exist varied by using different types of phosphor coating.

An electronic ballast is besides required to limit the current in the circuit and foreclose damage to the lamp. In the case of fluorescent tubes and most commercial-type fluorescent lamps, the ballast is added to the lamp externally, in the excursion or built into the fitting. For about compact fluorescent lamps, the ballast is built straight into the lamp in its base of operations. This allows CFLs to be used as direct replacements for classic incandescent lamps in the same fitting.

Replacing Incandescent Bulbs with CFLs

The main difference between compact fluorescent lights and traditional incandescent bulbs is that CFLs salvage up to 70% of the free energy used by incandescents. Roughly 95% of the energy used past incandescents is given off as heat rather than calorie-free. In comparison, CFLs give off less rut and use much less electricity while maintaining the same amount of calorie-free every bit incandescents. That's why you demand a lower wattage CFL bulb; for example, a 12 watt CFL is roughly equivalent to a 60 watt incandescent bulb.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs also terminal much longer than incandescent bulbs. Not only will you demand to buy fewer bulbs, only you'll also demand to climb ladders to change bulbs much less frequently. This ways that CFLs can assist y'all save on electricity costs, replacement bulbs, and time and effort.

For an even longer lasting bulb, consider buying LEDs. LED bulbs last even longer and are more energy efficient than CFLs. If yous're curious virtually LEDs, bank check out our Ultimate Guide to Buying LED – it contains valuable data to maximize your free energy saving whilst meeting your lighting requirements.

Consider Colour Temperature

Just as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the quality of the low-cal from any light bulb depends on who is using the light, how they are using it, and how they like it. Some people like clear bulbs in some applications, while others prefer a softer light.

Unlike CFL bulbs produce shades of light. The shade of a bulb is identified its color temperature (measured in "Kelvin"). Lower numbers mean the light has a softer, libation, more than yellow colour. Most CFLs offer soft or warm white calorie-free at 2700K to 3000K, which is comparable to incandescent bulbs. These bulbs work well in most abode settings and raise warm colours. In contrast, higher colour temperature lights emit a white to bluish-white calorie-free. The ratings on these CFL calorie-free bulbs are 3500K, 4100K, 5000K, and 6500K, and are usually identified by terms like "bright white," "natural" or "daylight." These colours will heighten cooler colours like bluish, green, and violet in your home.

If you need make clean, soft illumination for the kitchen or bath, a cool white 3500K– 4100K CFL is a good selection. And for reading areas and workspaces that require more light, daylight 5000K – 6500K CFL bulbs cast a bright, cool glow that is ideal for detail-oriented activities.

If yous aren't sure which color temperature is right for your use, think about what type of low-cal you lot'd like in each location. Expect for college colour temperatures where you would similar a bright light, just consider opting for lower color temperatures in other locations.

Recycling CFL Energy Saving Lamps

The corporeality of mercury in a low-energy CFL seedling could fit on the tip of a ballpoint pen, just considering of its hazardous nature, used depression-energy bulbs need to be recycled rather than put in the bin.

All CFLs should exist treated as hazardous waste and should not exist disposed of in the bin.

All local councils have an obligation to make arrangements for the disposal of household hazardous waste at a borough amenity site or household waste-recycling centre. Make sure you inquiry your council'due south disposal procedures before you recycle your used CFLs.

What Do I Exercise If I Break a CFL?

Although the adventitious breakage of a lamp is very unlikely to cause whatsoever wellness problems, it's always good exercise to minimise any unnecessary exposure to mercury, as well as take a chance of cuts from drinking glass fragments.

If you accidentally break a CFL, follow these steps:

Ventilate the room.
Wipe the expanse with a damp cloth, place the textile in a bag, and seal information technology.
Employ sticky tape, such every bit duct record or something like, to pick up the minor residue pieces or pulverisation from nearby soft furnishings, so place the tape in another sealed plastic bag. Your plastic bags don't demand to be air tight, but they should be reasonably sturdy.
Place both plastic bags into another larger purse and seal that one as well. This minimizes the chances of beingness cut by cleaved glass.

Oftentimes Asked Questions

Do traditional bulbs give a better quality of light?

For technical reasons, the glass used in the manufacture of household free energy saving calorie-free bulbs has to be opaque, not transparent like the drinking glass that is used in many traditional incandescent bulbs. Regardless of these technical requirements, you won't see a difference in effulgence when you compare a CFL to an incandescent bulb.

How long will compact fluorescent lamps last?

Many CFLs will last for viii,000-10,000 hours of utilise. This is significantly greater than traditional incandescent bulbs, which oft final for less than i,000 hours. You can extend the life of your CFLs by leaving them on for at to the lowest degree 15 minutes at a fourth dimension – turning them off and on often volition shorten the life of the bulb.

How many watts practice I need with a CFL seedling to replace my current lights?

Energy use is measured in watts, but light output is measured in lumens. Simply put, the more than lumens, the brighter the light. Because CFLs are so much more efficient, they use less energy (watts) to produce the aforementioned corporeality of light (lumens). In general, you volition demand 1 watt from a CFL bulb for every 4 watts from an incandescent bulb. The table below provides a guide for replacing dissimilar watt incandescent bulbs with a CFL:

If y'all are replacing a forty-watt incandescent light bulb, y'all will only demand a nine to 13 watt CFL bulb. Nevertheless, don't go hung up on watts – remember to evaluate the number of lumens in gild to select the proper seedling for brightness, and don't forget to consider the color temperature for the proper ambient.

Tin I apply a low energy CFL bulb with a dimmer switch?

No. Most energy saving CFLs bulbs aren't fully compatible with dimmer switch circuits, and plumbing fixtures i volition cause the bulb to flicker continuously.

Are 3-pin CFL light bulbs bachelor?

Yep!

Can I use CFLs In bathrooms?

CFLs, including decorative CFLs such every bit world CFLs, tin can be used in all rooms, including bathrooms. However, keep in mind that high humidity may shorten the useful life of your CFLs. To go on humidity down, run the fan during and afterward showers and baths.

Can I use CFLs outdoors?

Because many outdoor lights are on for several hours each day, replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs can save you significant amounts of free energy. Carry in heed that extreme temperatures may touch some bulbs – when it is very cold, it may accept longer for these bulbs to reach full brightness.

Can I plow CFLs on and off frequently?

Turning your lights off to save energy is always a proficient thought. However, turning a CFL on and off frequently can shorten its life. You tin easily extend the life of your compact fluorescent bulbs past leaving them on for at least fifteen minutes at a time.

Tin I apply CFLs in a totally enclosed fixture?

Enclosed fixtures do not allow sufficient air-flow to cool the bulbs. Even though CFL bulbs produce much less oestrus than incandescent bulbs, they can exist more sensitive. We practise non recommend that you lot utilize CFLs in a completely enclosed fixture, only we practice suggest that you cheque the individual manufacturer product information for more details on your fixture.

If y'all have whatever questions about choosing the right CFL, call our friendly service staff at: 01869 362222 or e-mail.

cooperyind1972.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.thelightbulb.co.uk/resources/compact_fluorescent_lamps_guide/