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Incandescent lamps, the production of which is being phased out, have been replaced by economical energy-saving fluorescent-type incandescent lamps, characterized by low current consumption and compact dimensions.
They cost more than outdated classic options, but this difference in price is compensated by high efficiency, extended service life and other advantages.
Advantages of fluorescent lamps
In contrast to the service life of conventional light bulbs, which is 1000 hours, the light sources of a new sample can have a service life of 4000-12000 hours of continuous operation.
While producing the same powerful light output as a 100-watt incandescent lamp, a fluorescent energy-saving lamp consumes only 20 watts of power, thus achieving a fivefold saving.
During operation, it heats up 2 times weaker, due to the optimal conversion of current into light radiation, which allows the use of such devices in places and structures that are highly sensitive to heat.
It is difficult to get burned when touching the surface of the glass bulb of a new type of lamp, which cannot be said about the surface of an incandescent lamp, which can be very hot when turned on.
The service life of a specific energy-saving lighting device with a luminescent principle of operation is indicated on the packaging by the manufacturer.
But the correspondence of this indicator to real characteristics depends on the correctness of the conditions for using the electrical appliance.
When screwing the light bulb into the cartridge, it must be held with your fingers only on the plastic part specially designed for this.
Thin glass walls are quite fragile, and even with a slight pressure on their surface, they can become covered with microcracks invisible to the eye, which significantly reduce the service life.
It is not allowed to use them together with dimming devices, due to the absence of a circuit in their composition, as well as with switches equipped with an LED that provokes a noticeable difference in resistance, leading to the lamp flashing and its rapid failure.
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Operating principle
The principle of operation of a fluorescent lamp is to create light radiation as a result of ultraviolet waves invisible to the eye hitting the surface of the phosphor.
In turn, ultraviolet is produced at the moment when the electrical discharge between the two contacts passes through the mercury vapor inside the bulb.
Therefore, since the device contains a certain amount of this dangerous liquid metal, it must be handled with extreme care, avoiding violating the integrity of the glass walls.
If the light bulb accidentally breaks, the scene is cleaned independently with a weak solution of potassium permanganate, followed by thorough ventilation of the room.
It is forbidden to dispose of failed or broken lamps with household waste.
Also read what are filament lamps.
Recommendations for choosing a fluorescent lamp
Energy-saving lamps are produced, both by many foreign companies and by several domestic ones. The model range presented in stores is really diverse.
Different models differ not only in price and manufacturer, but also in some other parameters.
For example, in shape, they can be traditional spherical, candle-shaped, spiral, U-shaped.
They also differ in the dimensions of the bulb, which makes it easy to choose the option that is suitable for a particular lamp, regardless of its internal size.
In any case, they are suitable for use with a standard cartridge that does not require replacement or modification.
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Kelvin scale
Unlike traditional incandescent lamps, modern energy-saving lamps have a different color temperature, measured on the Kelvin scale, indicated by a quantitative indicator, at the end of which is the letter K.
The closest in perception to the human eye are products with a color temperature of 2700 K.
Cold light, relevant for office and industrial premises, can be achieved at a color temperature of 6400 K.
Daylight white light, which creates the most comfortable reading conditions, is created by purchasing lamps with a color temperature of 4200 K.
Cold light is often used by designers to create high-tech interiors.
For more details, read here: How to choose an energy-saving lamp.