Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) come either as plug-in pin-based lamps to be used with a ballast that is built into the fixture, or as a screw-based product with a ballast built into the lamp housing. Compact fluorescent lamps operate on the same concept as standard fluorescent tubes. The big difference is their small size. Most CFLs use a T4 ( 1/2-inch diameter) tube which is coated internally with triphoshorous powder.Early CFLs were bulky and heavy due to the use of magnetic ballasts. Their size, weight and shape limited their applications. The current crop of CFLs are considerably more sophisticated. Because longer fluorescent tubes produce more light, new tube designs like the spiral coil the tube into a compact configuration while increasing light output. Another way to achieve greater light ouput at a reduced size is to mount multiple tubes to a single ballast housing. This has enabled the CFL category to establish itself as a viable alternative to incandescent light sources. Advancements in electronic ballasts for CFLs have dramatically changed the size and weight of these lamps as well. Many of today’s CFL products incorporate the latest “surface-mounted” technology into their electronic ballasts, which has also been used to shrink today’s computer circuit boards and mobile phones. CFLs that receive the Energy Star® designation meet rigorous testing requirements set by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Some local utilities support the program by offering rebate incentives for purchasing CFLs.