A spiral type compact fluorescent lamp. Despite the slightly reduced efficiency of this style CFL because of the inherently excessive thick layer of phosphor on the lower side of the twist, it has remained one of the most popular among North American consumers since its introduction in the mid 1990s.^[1]

A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also known as a compact fluorescent light bulb or an energy saving lightbulb, is a type of lamp (light bulb) designed to fit into roughly the same space as an incandescent lamp, but with the advantages of a fluorescent lamp. Many CFLs can directly replace an existing incandescent lamp. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (873x962, 286 KB)A compact flourescent light bulb. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (873x962, 286 KB)A compact flourescent light bulb. ... Green screen A phosphor is a substance that exhibits the phenomenon of phosphorescence (sustained glowing after exposure to light or energised particles such as electrons). ... A lamp, in technical usage, is a replaceable component such as an incandescent light bulb, which is designed to produce light from electricity. ... The incandescent light bulb uses a glowing wire filament heated to white-hot by electrical resistance, to generate light (a process known as thermal radiation). ... Fluorescent lamps in Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ...

Compared to incandescent lamps of the same luminous flux, CFLs have a longer rated life and use less energy. A CFL can save over US$30 in electricity costs over the lamp’s lifetime compared to an incandescent lamp.^[2] The initial purchase price of a CFL is higher than an incandescent lamp of the same output, although this cost may be quickly recouped in energy savings assuming average bulb use. Luminous flux is a measure of the energy emitted by a light source in all directions. ...

Although CFLs do radiate a different spectrum of light than incandescent lamps,^[3] recent technological advances have reduced that difference dramatically. The light emitted by "soft white" CFLs available today are, for practical purposes, indistinguishable from standard bulbs.^[4]

Market

Globally introduced in the early 1980s, CFLs have steadily increased in sales volume. The most important advance in fluorescent lamp technology (including in CFLs) has been the gradual replacement of magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts; this has removed most of the flickering and slow starting traditionally associated with fluorescent lighting. The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Fluorescent lamps in Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ... An automotive (ignition system) ballast resistor An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to limit the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit. ...

The market for CFLs has been aided by the production of both integrated and non-integrated lamps. Integrated lamps combine a bulb, an electronic ballast and either a screw or bayonet fitting; these lamps allow consumers to easily replace incandescent lamps with CFLs. Non-integrated lamps allow for the replacement of consumable bulbs and the extended use of ballasts; since the ballasts last longer, they can be more expensive and sophisticated, providing options such as dimming. Non-integrated CFLs are more popular for professional users, such as hotels. Dimmers are devices used to vary the control the brightness of a light. ...

CFLs are produced for both AC input and DC input. DC CFLs are popular for use in recreational vehicles and off-the-grid housing. Poor families in developing countries are using DC CFLs (with car batteries and small solar panels) to replace kerosene lanterns. City lights viewed in a motion blurred exposure. ... Direct current (DC or continuous current) is the continuous flow of electricity through a conductor such as a wire from high to low potential. ... A camper built on a light truck chassis. ... The term off the grid refers to a method of construction that relies on renewable energy sources rather than traditional public utility sources provided by the utility grid. ... A developing country is a country with low average income compared to the world average. ... Lead-acid car battery A car battery is a type of electric battery that supplies electric energy to the starter motor and the ignition system of a vehicle’s engine. ... A laundromat in California with flat-plate solar water heating collectors on its roof. ... It has been suggested that Petromax be merged into this article or section. ...

CFLs can also be operated with solar powered street lights, using solar panels located on the top or sides of a pole and luminaires that are specially wired to use the lamps. Solar power describes a number of methods of harnessing energy from the light of the sun. ... A roadway light in front of a red sky at night A street light, street lamp, light standard or lamp standard, is a raised source of light on the edge of a road, turned on or lit at a certain time every night. ...

Comparison with incandescent lamps

Lifespan

Modern CFLs typically have a life span of between 8,000 and 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured to have a life span of 750 hours or 1000 hours.^[5] These lifetimes are quoted according to IEC60969,^[6] which specifies that "life to 50% of failures shall be not less than value declared by the manufacturer". Some incandescent lamps have shorter designed lifespans, such as those used for lighting photographic studios and used in overhead projectors. In practice the lifetime of any actual lamp, CFL or incandescent, depends on many factors including manufacturing defects, exposure to voltage spikes, mechanical shock, frequency of cycling on and off and ambient operating temperature, among other factors. Service life refers to the expected lifetime of a product. ... Voltage spikes are fast, short duration surges in the electric potential in a given circuit. ... In mechanics, a shock is a sudden acceleration or deceleration caused, for example, by impact or explosion. ...

Energy consumption

For a given light output, CFLs use between one-fifth and one-quarter of the power of an equivalent incandescent lamp, thereby saving significant amounts of energy and reducing the need for electrical generation. For industrialized countries, lighting makes up about one fifth of electricity consumption, so there are potentially significant benefits.^[7] Luminous flux is a measure of the energy emitted by a light source in all directions. ... An incandescent lamp bulb and its glowing filament. ... An incandescent lamp bulb and its glowing filament. ... The incandescent light bulb uses a glowing wire filament heated to white-hot by electrical resistance, to generate light (a process known as thermal radiation). ...

Incandescent lamps are less efficient than CFLs because incandescent lamps convert approximately 90% of the energy they consume into heat (compared to 30% for a CFL).^[8] An incandescent lamp bulb and its glowing filament. ...

Lighting accounted for approximately 9% of household electricity usage in the United States in 2001.^[9] If widespread use of CFLs could save three-quarters to four-fifths of this, it would amount to a total energy saving of about 7% from household usage.

Energy efficiency

For more details on this topic, see Luminous efficacy.

In order to compare the actual energy efficiency of CFLs with various other bulb technologies such as incandescent, LED and halogen, it is necessary to consider their luminous efficacy, including the subjective usefulness of different frequencies of light, the distribution of light over imaginary 360° spheres around the bulbs and other factors. In round figures, typical incandescent bulbs are something like 2% efficient and domestic CFLs are currently 7%-8% efficient. Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ... In physics and engineering, including mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency is a dimensionless number, with a value between 0 and 1 or with times 100 given in percent. ...

Cost

In addition to the above savings on energy costs, CFLs' average life is between 8 and 15 times that of incandescents. [5] While the purchase price of a CFL is typically 3 to 10 times greater than that of an equivalent incandescent lamp, the savings accrued make the CFL much less expensive in the long run. [6]

Cold weather and dimming

Compact fluorescents may fail to operate at low temperatures. Light output drops at low temperatures, and they may not light at all below zero degrees C (32 degrees F).^[10] They also suffer shortened life when switched on and off frequently. Incandescent bulbs operate well with no loss of brightness at extremely low or high temperatures and can better withstand frequent turning on and off, as in security light applications. Manufacturers of compact fluorescents warn against using ordinary CFLs to replace incandescent bulbs in enclosed fixtures or those which are controlled by dimmers.^[11].

Dimming fluorescent lamps requires lamp ballasts designed for dimming. According to BC Hydro, ^[12] and Environmental Defense ^[13], new dimmable screw-in fluorescent bulbs are now available, however, these models only dim to a certain percentage such as 10 or 20 percent before turning off completely.

Comparison with LED lamps

Whilst CFLs are an important development in energy conservation for most lighting, LED lighting has already filled a few specialist niches like traffic lights and may have the potential to compete with CFLs in the near future. LED lamps have current efficiencies of 30% with higher levels attainable, and a lifetime of around 50,000 hours, but currently are struggling to deliver the required domestic light output while maintaining a reasonable working lifespan.^[14][15][16] Solid State Lighting (SSL) refers to a type of lighting that utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), or polymer light-emitting diodes as sources of illumination rather than electrical filaments or gas. ... Traffic lights will sometimes differ where there are several lanes of traffic. ... LED Lamp with bayonet mount LED Lamp with E27 Edison screw. ...

Colors

A photograph of various lamps illustrates the effect of color temperature differences (left to right): (1) Compact Fluorescent: General Electric, 13 watt, 6500 K (2) Incandescent: Sylvania 60-Watt Extra Soft White (3) Compact Fluorescent: Bright Effects, 15 watts, 2644 K (4) Compact Fluorescent: Sylvania, 14 watts, 3000 K

Color temperature can be indicated in kelvin or mired (1 million divided by the colour temperature in kelvin). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1282x1651, 1063 KB) Picture taken by Quintote. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1282x1651, 1063 KB) Picture taken by Quintote. ... Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in photography, videography, publishing and other fields. ... The kelvin (symbol: K) is a unit increment of temperature and is one of the seven SI base units. ... Derived from the term micro reciprocal degree, the mired (M) is a unit of measurement equal to 1,000,000 (one million) divided by the given color temperature, as per the formula: where M is the mired value desired, and T is the color temperature. ...

Color temperature is a quantitative measure. The higher the number in kelvin, the “cooler”, i.e., bluer, the shade. Color names associated with a particular color temperature are not standardized for modern CFLs and other triphosphor lamps like they were for the older style halophosphate fluorescent lamps. Variations and inconsistencies exist among manufacturers. For example, Sylvania's Daylight CFLs have a color temperature of 3500 K, while most other lamps with a "daylight" label have color temperatures of at least 5000 K. Some vendors do not include the kelvin value on the package, but this is beginning to change now that the Energy Star Criteria for CFLs is expected to require such labeling in its 4.0 revision. Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in photography, videography, publishing and other fields. ... The kelvin (symbol: K) is a unit increment of temperature and is one of the seven SI base units. ... Derived from the term micro reciprocal degree, the mired (M) is a unit of measurement equal to 1,000,000 (one million) divided by the given color temperature, as per the formula: where M is the mired value desired, and T is the color temperature. ... A scale for measuring mass A quantitative property is one that exists in a range of magnitudes, and can therefore be measured. ... The ENERGY STAR logo is placed on energy-efficient products ENERGY STAR is a United States government program to promote energy efficient consumer products. ...

CFLs are also produced, less commonly, in other colors:

• Red, green, orange, blue, and pink, primarily for novelty purposes
• Blue for phototherapy
• Yellow, for outdoor lighting, because it does not attract insects
• Black light (UV light) for special effects

Black light CFLs, those with UVA generating phosphor, are much more efficient than incandescent black light lamps, since the amount of UV light that the filament of the incandescent lamp produces is only a fraction of the generated spectrum. Light therapy or phototherapy consists of exposure to specific wavelengths of light using lasers, LEDs, fluorescent lamps, dichroic lamps or very bright, full-spectrum light, for a prescribed amount of time. ... Spectrum of a fluorescent black light source. ... UV redirects here. ... Groundbreaking special effects were used in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Special effects (abbreviated SPFX or SFX) are used in the film, television, and entertainment industry to realize scenes that cannot be achieved by live action or normal means. ...

Being a gas discharge lamp, a CFL will not generate all frequencies of visible light; the actual color rendering index is a design compromise (see below). With less than perfect color rendering, CFLs can be unsatisfactory for inside lighting, but modern, high quality designs are proving acceptable for home use. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Fluorescent lamp. ... The visible spectrum (or sometimes optical spectrum) is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to (can be detected by) the human eye. ... Colour rendering index, or CRI, is a measure of the quality of colour light, devised by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). ...

Other terms that apply to CFLs:

• Full Spectrum
• High Definition

Full-spectrum light is light that covers the entire spectrum from low ultraviolet to infrared and above; in particular, sunlight is full spectrum. ...

Environmental issues

Since CFLs use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating, they can be used to decrease overall energy consumption. Generation of electricity is a major source of pollution in various forms. According to Environment Canada: It has been suggested that Pollutant be merged into this article or section. ...

"The electricity sector is unique among industrial sectors in its very large contribution to emissions associated with nearly all air issues. Electricity generation produces a large share of Canadian nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide emissions, which contribute to smog and acid rain and the formation of fine particulate matter. It is the largest uncontrolled industrial source of mercury emissions in Canada. Fossil fuel-fired electric power plants also emit carbon dioxide, which may contribute to climate change. In addition, the sector has significant impacts on water and habitat and species. In particular, hydro dams and transmission lines have significant effects on water and biodiversity."^[17]

Mercury use of compact fluorescent lamp vs. incandescent lamp when powered by electricity generated from coal.

CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps (e.g., long tubular lamps common in offices and kitchens), contain small amounts of mercury^[18][19] and it is a concern for landfills and waste incinerators where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution. In the USA, lighting manufacturer members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) have made a voluntary commitment to cap the amount of mercury used in CFLs: Image File history File links CFL_bulb_mercury_use_environment. ... Image File history File links CFL_bulb_mercury_use_environment. ... Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... A compact fluorescent lamp A fluorescent lamp is a type of electric lamp that excites argon and mercury vapor to create luminescence. ... General Name, Symbol, Number mercury, Hg, 80 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 12, 6, d Appearance silvery Standard atomic weight 200. ... Albury landfill, Surrey, England A landfill, also known as a dump, is a site for the disposal of waste materials by burial and is the oldest form of waste treatment. ... This article needs cleanup. ... It has been suggested that Pollutant be merged into this article or section. ... The National Electrical Manufacturers Association or NEMA is a U.S.-based association, which was created on September 1, 1926, when the Associated Manufacturers of Electrical Supplies and the Electric Power Club merged. ...

Under the voluntary commitment, effective April 15, 2007, NEMA members will cap the total mercury content in CFLs of less than 25 watts at 5 milligrams (mg) per unit. The total mercury content of CFLs that use 25 to 40 watts of electricity will be capped at 6 mg per unit.^[20]

Some manufacturers such as Philips and GE make very low mercury content CFLs.^[21] Safe disposal requires storing the bulbs unbroken until they can be processed. Consumers should seek advice from local authorities. Usually, one can either: Local governments are administrative offices that are smaller than a state or province. ...

• Return used CFLs to where they were purchased, so the store can recycle them correctly; or
• Take used CFLs to a local recycling facility.

The first step of processing involves crushing the bulbs in a machine that uses negative pressure ventilation and a mercury-absorbing filter or cold trap to contain and treat the contaminated gases. Many municipalities are purchasing such machines. The crushed glass and metal is stored in drums, ready for shipping to recycling factories. This article needs additional references or sources to facilitate its verification. ... Negative pressure is misunderstood as pressure less than that of the ambient atmosphere. ... A cryopump is a vacuum pump that traps gases and vapours by condensing them on a cold surface. ...

Note that coal power plants are the "the largest uncontrolled industrial source of mercury emissions in Canada".^[22] According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), (when coal power is used) the mercury released from powering an incandescent lamp for five years exceeds the total of (a) the mercury released by powering a comparably luminous CFL for the same period and (b) the mercury contained in the lamp.^[23] It should be noted, however that the "EPA is implementing policies to reduce airborne mercury emissions. Under regulations issued in 2005, coal-fired power plants will need to reduce their emissions by 70 percent by 2018."^[24]. If CFLs are recycled and the mercury reclaimed, the equation tilts towards CFLs, and if non-coal sources of electricity are used, the equation tilts toward incandescents. Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel formed in swamp ecosystems where plant remains were saved by water and mud from oxidization and biodegradation. ... Mohave Generating Station, a 1,580 MW coal power plant near Laughlin, Nevada A fossil fuel power plant is an energy conversion center that combusts fossil fuels to produce electricity, designed on a large scale for continuous operation. ... EPA redirects here. ...

How they work

Parts

Electronic ballast of a compact fluorescent lamp

There are two main parts in a CFL: the gas-filled tube (also called bulb or burner) and the magnetic or electronic ballast. Electrical energy in the form of an electrical current from the ballast flows through the gas, causing it to emit ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light then excites a white phosphor coating on the inside of the tube. This coating emits visible light. CFLs that flicker when they start have magnetic ballasts; CFLs with electronic ballasts are now much more common. See Fluorescent lamp. Image File history File links Integrated electronic ballast (starter) of a fluorescent lamp. ... Image File history File links Integrated electronic ballast (starter) of a fluorescent lamp. ... A ballast is a device used to start a gas discharge lamp, and, once the lamp is started, to limit the flow of electric current. ... A ballast is a device used to start a gas discharge lamp, and, once the lamp is started, to limit the flow of electric current. ... Electrical energy can refer to several closely related things. ... Electric current is the flow (movement) of electric charge. ... UV redirects here. ... Green screen A phosphor is a substance that exhibits the phenomenon of phosphorescence (sustained glowing after exposure to light or energised particles such as electrons). ... Fluorescent lamps in Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ...

End of life

Both the ballast and the burner (tube) are subject to failure from normal use. A detailed description of the failure modes of fluorescent lamps is given in the Fluorescent lamp article. Fluorescent lamps in Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ...

At end of life, CFLs should be recycled by specialist firms. In the European Union, CFL lamps are one of many products subject to the WEEE recycling scheme. The retail price includes an amount to pay for recycling, and manufacturers and importers have an obligation to collect and recycle CFLs. WEEE Man The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) is the European Community directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment which, together with the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC, became European Law in February 2003, setting collection, recycling and recovery targets for all types of... In economics and business, the price is the assigned numerical monetary value of a good, service or asset. ...

Many territories do provide recycling facilities for fluorescent lamps. However, many CFLs are crushed in landfills, exposing air and water to mercury vapour.

Design issues

Apart from durability, the primary purpose of good CFL design is high electrical efficiency. The efficiency of an entity (a device, component, or system) in electronics and electrical engineering is defined as useful power output divided by the total electrical power consumed (a fractional expression). ...

These are some other areas of interest:

• Quality of light: A phosphor emits light in a narrow frequency range, unlike an incandescent filament, which emits the full spectrum, though not all colors equally, of visible light. Mono-phosphor lamps emit poor quality light; colors look bad and inaccurate. The solution is to mix different phosphors, each emitting a different range of light. Properly mixed, a good approximation of daylight or incandescent light can be reached. However, every extra phosphor added to the coating mix causes a loss of efficiency and increased cost. Good-quality consumer CFLs use three or four phosphors—typically emitting light in the red, green and blue spectra—to achieve a "white" light with color rendering indexes (CRI) of around 80 although CFLs with a CRI as great as 93 have been developed. (A CRI of 100 represents the most accurate reproduction of all colors; reference sources having a CRI of 100, such as the sun and incandescent tungsten lamps, emit black body radiation.)
• Size: CFL light output is roughly proportional to phosphor surface area, and high output CFLs are often larger than their incandescent equivalents. This means that the CFL may not fit well in existing light fixtures.
• Covered performance: To approximate the look of an incandescent lamp, the CFL burner can be enclosed behind a cosmetic glass cover. However, this causes the temperature of the burner to increase greatly, increasing the gas pressure inside the burner and decreasing the brightness (and therefore efficiency) of the lamp.^{[citation needed]} These problems have largely been solved using special mercury compounds and other techniques, and now globe and flood versions are widely available (at hardware stores and elsewhere).
• Electronics: Dimming control can be added to the lamp with support from the driver electronics. Only CFLs designed for use in lighting fixtures should be used.
• Large deployments of CFLs require specialised electronics with low levels of electronic distortion to avoid disturbing the electricity supply.^[25] This is usually not a problem with home use because of the few lamps deployed per site.
• Time to achieve full brightness: Compact fluorescent lamps may provide as little as 50-80% of their rated light output at initial switch on^[26] and can take up to three minutes to warm up, and color cast may be slightly different immediately after being turned on^[27]. This compares to around 0.1 seconds for incandescent lamps and around 0.01 seconds for LED lamps.^[28]). In practice this varies between brands/types. It is more of a problem with older lamps, "Warm (colour) tone" lamps and at low ambient temperatures.
• Outdoor Use: CFLs that are not designed for outdoor use may perform poorly in cold weather; CFLs are available with cold-weather ballasts, which may be rated to as low as -23 degrees Celsius (-10 F).^[29]
• Differences among manufacturers: There are large differences among quality of light, cost, and turn-on time among different manufacturers, even for lamps that appear identical and have the same color temperature.
• CFLs generally get dimmer over their lifetime^[30], so what starts out as an adequate luminosity may become inadequate. In one series of tests by the U.S. Department of Energy for the Energy Star program, one-quarter of tested CFLs no longer met their rated output after 40% of their rated service life.^[31][32]

Green screen A phosphor is a substance that exhibits the phenomenon of phosphorescence (sustained glowing after exposure to light or energised particles such as electrons). ... The frequency range is defined as the range of frequencies in which the device is allowed to operate. ... Look up daylight in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Colour rendering index, or CRI, is a measure of the quality of colour light, devised by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). ... The Sun (Latin: Sol) is the star at the center of the Solar System. ... General Name, Symbol, Number tungsten, W, 74 Chemical series transition metals Group, Period, Block 6, 6, d Appearance grayish white, lustrous Standard atomic weight 183. ... As the temperature decreases, the peak of the black body radiation curve moves to lower intensities and longer wavelengths. ... Glass can be made transparent and flat, or into other shapes and colors as shown in this sphere from the Verrerie of Brehat in Brittany. ... Approximately, the partial pressure of a gas in atmospheres in a mixture or solution is what would be the pressure of that gas if all other components of the mixture or solution suddenly vanished without its temperature changing. ... A hardware store sells hardware: for instance fasteners, keys, locks, hinges, wire, chains, plumbing supples, tools, utensils, cutlery and machine parts. ... Dimmers are devices used to vary the control the brightness of a light. ... Power factor correction (PFC) is a technique of counteracting the undesirable effects of electric loads that create a power factor (p. ... LED Lamp with bayonet mount LED Lamp with E27 Edison screw. ... Color temperature is a characteristic of visible light that has important applications in photography, videography, publishing and other fields. ... The ENERGY STAR logo is placed on energy-efficient products ENERGY STAR is a United States government program to promote energy efficient consumer products. ...

Other CFL technologies

Another type of fluorescent lamp is the electrodeless fluorescent, known as a radiofluorescent lamp or fluorescent induction lamp. Unlike virtually all other conventional lamps that have hardwired electrical connections to transfer energy to the lamp core, the electrodeless fluorescent accomplishes this solely by electromagnetic induction. The induction is effected by means of a wire-wound ferrite core that projects upward into the bulb encased in an inverted U-shaped glass cover. The wire is energized with high frequency electricity often 2.65 or 13.6 MHz; this ionizes the mercury vapor, exciting the phosphor & producing light. In contrast with all other electrical lamps that use electrical connections through the lamp envelope to transfer power to the lamp, in electrodeless lamps the power needed to generate light is transferred from the outside of the lamp envelope by means of (electro)magnetic fields. ... Electromagnetic induction is the production of an electrical potential difference (or voltage) across a conductor situated in a changing magnetic flux. ... High frequency (HF) radio frequencies are between 3 and 30 MHz. ...

Another variation on existing CFL technologies are bulbs with an external nano-particle coating of titanium dioxide. Titanium dioxide is a photocatalyst, becoming ionized when exposed to UV light produced by the CFL. It is thereby capable of converting oxygen to ozone and water to hydroxyl radicals, which neutralize odors and kill bacteria, viruses, and mold spores. Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium(IV) oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula TiO2. ...

The Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light (CCFL) is one of the newest forms of CFL. CCFLs use electrodes without a filament. The voltage of CCFL lamps is about 5 times higher than CFL lamps and the current is about 10 times lower. CCFL lamps have a diameter of about 3 millimeters. The lifetime of CCFL lamps is about 50,000 hours. The lumens-per-watt value is about half of CFL lamps. Note: Principles are mostly the same for cold cathode ion sources as in particle accelerators to create electrons. ...

Initially CCFL was used for thin monitors and backlighting, but now it is also manufactured for use as a lamp. Since the efficacy (lumen/watt) is actually lower than a compact fluorescent light, it is actually not as efficient as a CFL. Its advantages are that it (1) is instant-on, like an incandescent, (2) is compatible with timers, photocells, and dimmers, and (3) has an amazingly long life of approximately 50,000 hours. CCFL are a convenient transition-technology for those who are not comfortable with the short lag-time associated with the initial lighting of Compact Fluorescents. They are also an effective and efficient replacement for lighting that is turned on and off frequently with little extended use (e.g. a bathroom or closet).

Efforts to encourage adoption

Due to the potential to reduce electric consumption and hence pollution, various organizations have undertaken measures to encourage the adoption of CFLs, with efforts ranging from publicity to encourage awareness and make CFLs more widely available to direct measures to provide CFLs to the public. Some electric utilities and local governments have subsidized CFLs or provided them free to customers as a means of reducing electric demand (and thereby delaying additional investments in generation). More controversially, some governments are considering stronger measures to encourage adoption of CFLs or even entirely displace incandescents; some proposed efforts involve tax measures, but Australia has announced a plan to phase out the use of incandescent lamps by 2010. Canada has also committed to phasing out incandescent lamps starting in 2012.

Voluntary measures

Home Depot gave away 1,000,000 CFLs on Earth Day 2007. The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) is an American retailer of home improvement and construction products. ... Earth Day Flag. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ...

Wal-Mart announced in September 2006 that it was starting a campaign to endorse CFLs. The store aims to sell one CFL to every one of their 100 million customers within the next year.^[33]. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ... September 2006 is the ninth month of 2006 and has begun on a Friday. ...

In Ottawa, Canada, there is an effort to get every household to change at least one lamp. Project Porchlight has volunteers going door-to-door providing one CFL to every household for free. In other locations in Canada, local utilities regularly undertake "energy audits" to customers to suggest ways to reduce consumption (and reducing investment requirements for the utilities); CFLs are often given away or provided at subsidized prices to raise awareness of the potential savings. Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant Location of the City of Ottawa in the Province of Ontario Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario Established 1850 as Town of Bytown Incorporated 1855 as City of Ottawa Amalgamated January 1, 2001 Government  - Mayor Larry OBrien  - City Council Ottawa City Council  - Representatives 8...

The U.S. Environmental Defense initiated a campaign in June 2006 called Make the Switch to encourage the public to switch from incandescent lamps to compact fluorescent lamps. It asked every household in the U.S. to replace three 60-watt incandescent lamps with CFLs. Environmental Defense claims that if every household were to do this, the change could reduce pollution as much as taking 3.5 million cars off the road. In the Netherlands, Greenpeace are attempting to mobilize people to Change 1 million light bulbs to CFLs. Environmental Defense (formerly known as the Environmental Defense Fund or EDF), is a US-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group. ... June 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → Extraordinary renditions. ... Greenpeace protest against Esso / Exxon Mobil. ...

In February 2007, the 18seconds campaign was launched with leaders from business (Yahoo! and Walmart) and US Government (EPA and DOE) to increase awareness of energy-efficient lamps as a way to slow global climate change . The coalition was named 18seconds to reflect the amount of time it takes for one person to change a lamp. To coincide with the launch of this campaign, Yahoo has created a Web site 18seconds.org that will track lamp sales and energy savings nationwide and encourage lamp-switching competition among cities and states.^[34] February 2007 is the second month of the year. ... Yahoo! Inc. ... Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ... ... EPA redirects here. ... Doe is the term used for the females of various species of animal, including: some species of deer rabbits In job and classified ads, DOE is an acronym for Depending On Experience and usually indicated in pay rates. ... The term climate change is used to refer to changes in the Earths climate. ... Yahoo! - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ...

In South Africa the main electricity supply company Eskom has launched a program to exchange incandescent lamps for CFLs for free. Its aim is to reduce the electrical demand at peak times. [7]

Another website, Onebillionbulbs.com, is behind a campaign to replace one billion incandescent lamps with CFLs across the U.S. The site has a fifty-state map; each state is a certain color from white to green. The closer to green, the closer to the state's goal.

Recognizing that lower income households are less likely to lay out the significantly greater retail price for compact fluorescent light bulbs, which can cost 5 to 6 times the cost of an incandescent bulb, the non-profit organization Wattsaver [8] is accepting donations that will be used to give compact fluorescent bulbs to these lower income households.

Government measures

 Australia

The Australian federal government plans to phase out the use of incandescent lamps by 2010, apparently the first government to do so in the world.^[35].^[36] The Government has not announced any concurrent recycling program for old incandescent lamps. ^[37] The South Australian government has published an Energy saving calculator in order to help people calculate their individual benefits. However, there is no ban on such lamps yet. Conversion to CFLs will save Australia approximately 800,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Australia's current yearly output is 564,000,000. ^[38] Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Capital Adelaide Government Constitutional monarchy Governor Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Premier Mike Rann (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 11  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05)  - Product ($m)  $59,819 (5th)  - Product per capita  $38,838/person (7th) Population (End of September 2006)  - Population  1,558,200 (5th)  - Density  1. ... Top: Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels as measured in the atmosphere and ice cores. ...

 Canada

On 18 April 2007, the Ontarian government announced that it was planning to ban incandescent lamps in 2012 to cut the local energy consumption. ^{[39] [40]} Following the announcement, the fellow province of Nova Scotia has also pondered a similar ban ^[41] The territory of Nunavut are planning to ban incandescent lamps in May 2007. ^[42] Image File history File links Flag_of_Canada. ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 11 - Senate seats 10 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area... Motto: Nunavut Sannginivut (Inuktitut: Nunavut our strength or Our land our strength) Capital Iqaluit Largest city Iqaluit Official languages Inuktitut, Inuinnaqtun, English, French Government - Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson - Premier Paul Okalik (Consensus government) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 1 (Nancy Karetak-Lindell) - Senate seats 1 (Willie Adams) Confederation...

A week later, on the 25 April 2007, the federal government announced plans to ban the sale of incandescent lamps by 2012 all over Canada. ^[43] April 25 is the 115th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (116th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ...

 United Kingdom

In the UK, some activists in Britain have lobbied Parliament to tax or ban incandescent lamps, a measure that has generated controversy, and websites like Banthebulb.org have been created in support of the ban; other commentators oppose any proposed ban.^[44] The Government itself focuses its efforts to improve household energy efficiency through its establishment and funding of the Energy Saving Trust Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ... In physics and engineering, including mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency is a dimensionless number, with a value between 0 and 1 or with times 100 given in percent. ... Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organistion jointly funded by the British Government and the private sector in order to promote the sustainable use of energy and to cut carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. Official website http://www. ...

Gallery of CFLs

Biax or Linear CFL Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (768x1024, 195 KB) Summary I took this photo of a straight compact flourescent light bulb. ...	Globe CFL Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (557x721, 62 KB) Summary I took this photo of a compact flourescent globe light bulb. ...	Reflector CFL Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (768x1024, 197 KB) Summary I took this photo of a compact flourescent flood light bulb. ...	Spiral CFL Download high resolution version (502x730, 56 KB)A picture of a Compact fluorescent light bulb taken by Kevin Rector. ...
A CFL bulb designed to resemble an incandescent bulb. An incandescent bulb is shown on the right for comparison Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1136x852, 109 KB) CFL bulb with an envelope designed to look like a conventional incandescent bulb, with a conventional bulb for comparison I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under...

Notes

References

2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (114th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 17 is the 107th day of the year (108th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... May 15 is the 135th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (136th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year (83rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... March 19 is the 78th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (79th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... August 30 is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Fluorescent lamp
• Luminous efficacy
• Energy efficiency

Fluorescent lamps in Shinbashi, Tokyo, Japan Assorted types of fluorescent lamps. ... Luminous efficacy is a property of light sources, which indicates what portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation is usable for human vision. ... In physics and engineering, including mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency is a dimensionless number, with a value between 0 and 1 or with times 100 given in percent. ...

External links

• Compact Fluorescent Lamps: What You Should Know
• How much coal is required to run a 100-watt light bulb 24 hours a day for a year? - from HowStuffWorks.com
• Energy Savings
• Lighting Research Center - Excellent information and analysis of "full spectrum" lighting
• US Government Energy Star's page on fluorescent bulbs
• LampRecycle.Org - For information on recycling spent mercury-containing lamps
• Earth 911 - For fluorescent bulb recycling centers by postal code (US Only)
• Mercury in Compact Fluorescent Lamps - from the National Electrical Manufacturers Association
• Typical Lumen Outputs and Energy Costs for Outdoor Lighting
• Compact Fluorescents: Frequently Asked Questions Australian Greenhouse Office, Dept of the Environment and Water Resources, Australian Government.
• SPECTRA OF FLUORESCENT LIGHT BULBS
• POSSIBLE SAFTY HAZARDS

Lighting and Lamps v • d • e
Incandescent:	Conventional - Halogen - Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)
Fluorescent:	Compact fluorescent (CFL) - Linear fluorescent - Induction lamp
Gas discharge:	High-intensity discharge (HID) - Mercury-vapor - Metal-halide - Neon - Sodium vapor
Electric arc:	Arc lamp - HMI - Xenon arc - Yablochkov candle
Combustion:	Acetylene/Carbide - Candle - Gas lighting - Kerosene lamp - Limelight - Oil lamp - Safety lamp - Petromax
Other types:	Sulfur lamp - Light-emitting diode (LED) - LED lamp (SSL) - Optical fiber - Plasma - Electroluminescent wire - Chemiluminescence