A fluorescent lamp is a type of a gas-discharged electric lamp that contains and uses low-pressure mercury vapor and an inner coating of fluorescence material such as phosphor to produce visible light. To be specific, introducing an electric current excites this mercury vapor that in turn, results in the emission of ultraviolet radiation. This causes the fluorescent material to glow.
The development of fluorescent lamps during the 1890s and 1900s and their subsequent mass production and commercialization beginning in the 1920s resulted in a direct competition against the incandescent lamp. However, due to their advantages, fluorescent lamps have become more popular in residential and commercial applications beginning the 1990s.
Advantages of Fluorescent Lamps
1. More Energy Efficient than Incandescent Lamps
When compared to incandescent lamps, they can produce the same amount of light or lumens using lesser energy input. Residential and commercial grade fluorescent tubes and bulbs, including compact fluorescent lamps or CFL bulbs, can produce 50 to 100 lumens per watt. Meanwhile, a typical incandescent bulb produces 16 lumens per watt. This advantage translates to energy efficiency than in turn, leads to reduced electricity consumption and cost.
2. Longer Operational Lifespan
Another advantage of fluorescent lamps over incandescent lamps is their lifespan. A typical fluorescent bulb will last 10 to 20 times longer than an incandescent bulb. Specifically, these lamps generally have an operational lifespan of 6000 to 15000 hours while incandescent lamps only have around 1000 hours. Hence, due to their longer operational duration, one of the notable benefits of using fluorescent lamps involve reduced time and cost associated with replacement and maintenance.
3. Better Light Diffusion and Distribution
These lamps are also bigger light sources than incandescent lamps. A typical tube is significantly longer and has a larger surface area than the small filament within an incandescent bulb. Moreover, because light is not generated from a single and concentrated point, most fluorescent bulbs or tubes readily diffuse light that results in better distribution of illumination within a particular area. In contrast, incandescent lamps are smaller light sources, and they produce undiffused light as evident from glares and uneven illumination.
4. Fluorescent Lamps Emit Less Heat
Incandescent lamps generate too much excessive heat because they consume too much energy input. Hence, another advantage of fluorescent lamps is less heat emission due to their efficient energy consumption. Typical fluorescent bulbs like CFLs convert of 22 percent energy input to visible light while incandescent lamps only use 5 percent of energy input to produce visible light and the remaining 95 percent is converted into heat. This advantage translates further to other benefits such as comfort and reduced cost from air conditioning and ventilation.
Disadvantages of Fluorescent Lamps
1. Expensive than Incandescent and LED
Fluorescent lamps are relatively more expensive than incandescent lamps because they are more complicated to manufacture. However, considering their energy efficiency and lifespan, they are arguably more economical in general. Note that LED lamps are a little bit more expensive, but their price is expected to go down below the level of fluorescent lamps due to better manufacturing processes and increasing demand.
2. Health and Environmental Concerns
A notable disadvantage of fluorescent lamps involves susceptibility to chemical leakage that can contaminate the environment and affect the health of exposed organisms, including humans. A broken bulb can lead to leakage of a small amount of mercury. Aside from chemical hazards, fluorescent tubes and bulbs with magnetic ballasts normally flicker. This flickering coupled with UV emission might be problematic for individuals who are sensitive to light, especially those with autism, epilepsy, chronic headache, lupus, and vertigo, among others.
3. Susceptibility to Degradation
Several factors can lead to inefficiency and overall wear and tear of fluorescent tubes and bulbs. A considerable limitation involves switching frequency. Lamps that are frequently switched on and off rapidly age due to the erosion of the electron-emitting surface of the cathodes. Operating temperature is another limitation of fluorescent lamps. Below-freezing temperature might render these lamps inoperable. Moreover, because they emit less heat than incandescent lamps, they are unable to melt off snow and ice build up.
4. Incompatible with Dimming Setup
Light fixtures based on fluorescent lamps can be connected to dimmer switched made for incandescent lamps but they cannot be dimmed. This is due to the physical and operational differences between these two types of electric light source. Incandescent lamps are dimmable because the amount of light they produce is directly related to the amount of electrical current flowing through their filaments. Fluorescent tubes and bulbs do not have filaments. They emit light from heated gas. Special dimming ballasts and dimmer switches are required to make them dimmable.
Conclusion: Benefits and Limitations of Fluorescent Lamps
Based on the discussion above, when compared to incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps have advantages and benefits that revolve around energy efficiency and longer lifespan, that further translate to cost-efficiency. It is more economical to buy and use these lamps than incandescent lamps. However, the disadvantages and limitations of fluorescent lamps become more noticeable when compared to LED lamps. a particular type of LED bulb may require 9 watts to produce 900 lumens while a CFL may require 15 watts to produce 600 lumens. LED lamps also have an operating lifespan of 30000 to 50000 hours.