How CFL bulbs are manufactured?
Compact fluorescent bulbs are made of glass tubes filled with gas and a small amount of mercury. CFLs produce light when the mercury molecules are excited by electricity running between two electrodes in the base of the bulb.
Which material is used in CFL?
What is in a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulb? A CFL bulb is made of glass, a ceramic and metal base, a luminous powder called phosphor, and a small amount of mercury.
What is CFL explain its working principle?
A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) is a type of fluorescent lamp that has been compressed into the size of an ordinary incandescent lamp. It works on the principle of gas discharge, i.e., ionization of gas by the electric current. The modern CFL was invented by Edward E. Hammer in 1973.
Are CFL bulbs still made?
There are still manufacturers producing CFLs, and there are still plenty of options for sale on our website. However, you will likely see a gradual phase out of CFL products.
What is inside a CFL bulb?
The white powder coating inside the glass tubing of a CFL contains a fluorescent coating. When electricity enters a CFL, mercury and argon fumes inside the bulb produce invisible ultraviolet (UV) light. This UV light reacts with the fluorescent coating to produce the white, visible light you see when you turn on a CFL.
Why mercury is used in CFL?
Mercury, an essential part of CFLs, allows a bulb to be an efficient light source. On average, CFLs contain about four milligrams of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in over 100 CFLs.
What is inside CFL bulb?
What is the output voltage of CFL circuit?
Typical voltages for CFL are 60V, but can vary vastly. The oscillation is performed by folding back the current through the tube to the NPN transistors via the two secondary coils of T1.
Why do CFLs need to warm up?
All compact fluorescent lamps require a slight warm-up time for the electrical current to fully heat the cathodes and reach their full lumen output.
How much do CFLs cost?
Are CFL or LEDs more cost-effective?
LED vs CFL vs Incandescent Cost | Incandescent | CFL |
---|---|---|
Average cost per bulb | $1 | $2 |
Average lifespan | 1,200 hours | 8,000 hours |
Bulbs needed for 25,000 hours | 21 | 3 |
Total purchase price of bulbs over 20 years | $21 | $6 |
Is CFL better than LED?
In short form, here are the answers: CFL is the curly light bulb and LED is the long light bulb. And, in the CFL vs LED battle for energy efficiency, the LED light benefits make it a winner, hands down.
How much mercury is in CFL?
about four milligrams
CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury On average, CFLs contain about four milligrams of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in over 100 CFLs.
Where is the mercury in CFL bulbs?
A CFL bulb is made of glass, a ceramic and metal base, a powder called phosphor, and a small amount of mercury. The mercury in the bulb is in the form of an invisible vapor or as part of the phosphor coating on the inside of the glass. CFL bulbs use less energy than a regular light bulb.
How do CFLs work?
Instead of a glowing filament, CFLs contain argon and mercury vapor housed within a spiral-shaped tube. They also have an integrated ballast, which produces an electric current to pass through the vaporous mixture, exciting the gas molecules.
What does CFL stand for in lighting?
What Does CFL Stand For? CFL stands for compact fluorescent light or compact fluorescent lamp. This refers to the shape of the bulb (tight, spiral, folded) and the type of process that powers the bulb (fluorescence).
Why does it take so long for my CFL to warm up?
In older CFLs, it took several seconds for the ballast to produce enough electricity to ramp up the excitation. Newer CFLs have more efficient ballasts and require a shorter warm-up.
Does switching CFLs on and off shorten their life?
Switching CFLs on and off will shorten their life and may decrease their efficiency, mainly because the excitation of the gases and of the fluorescent coating take some exposure to an electric current to reach an optimal level.