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LED vs Fluorescent: 10 Problems To Consider With New Contact

Fluorescent Ligh ng Informa on....
Posted by Jimmy Hovey on Mon, Sep 09, 2013 @ 16:09 PM

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Which Way To Go...LED vs Fluorescent

Fluorescent is still an inexpensive option for retrofitting old T12 fixtures, but
Fluorescent lighting does have it's drawbacks. Here are 10 problems that people
run into with Fluorescent Lighting:

1. Frequent Switching
Causes Early Failures
If the lamp is installed where it is
frequently switched on and off, it
will age rapidly.

Under extreme conditions, its

lifespan may be much shorter
FREE eBook
than a cheap incandescent
lamp.

Each start cycle slightly erodes

the electron-emitting surface of
the cathodes; when all the
emission material is gone, the
lamp cannot start with the
available ballast voltage.

Fixtures intended for flashing of

lights (such as for advertising)
will use a ballast that maintains
cathode temperature when the FREE Case Study
arc is off, preserving the life of the lamp.

The extra energy used to start a fluorescent lamp is equivalent to a few seconds
of normal operation; it is more energy-efficient to switch off lamps when not
required for several minutes.

2. Fluorescent Bulbs Contain Mercury

If a fluorescent lamp is broken, a very small amount of mercury can contaminate
the surrounding environment. About 99% of the mercury is typically contained in
the phosphor, especially on lamps that are near the end of their life.

The broken glass is usually considered a greater hazard than the small amount of
spilled mercury.The EPA recommends airing out the location of a fluorescent tube
break and using wet paper towels to help pick up the broken glass and fine ...Or Via Social
particles. Media
Any glass and used towels should be disposed of in a sealed plastic bag. Vacuum
cleaners can cause the particles to become airborne, and should not be used.

3. Fluorescent Lights Give Off Ultraviolet Light

Ultraviolet emission Fluorescent lamps emit a small amount of ultraviolet (UV) Most Popular Posts
light. A 1993 study in the US found that ultraviolet exposure from sitting under
fluorescent lights for eight hours is equivalent to only one minute of sun exposure. T5 vs. T8: How Do
You Know If You
Very sensitive individuals may experience a variety of health problems relating to Really Need T5
light sensitivity that is aggravated by artificial lighting.
Lighting?
Ultraviolet light can affect sensitive paintings, especially watercolors and many 8 Reasons To
textiles. Valuable art work must be protected from light by additional glass or Consider LED
transparent acrylic sheets put between the fluorescent lamp(s) and the painting.
Replacement Bulbs
4. The "Buzz" On the Fluorescent Ballast vs. T8 Fluorescent
Bulbs
Magnetic single-lamp ballasts have a low power factor. Fluorescent lamps require T12 vs T8 vs T5: "T-
a ballast to stabilize the current through the lamp, and to provide the initial striking
12"...As Outdated As
voltage required to start the arc discharge.
Your Granparents
This increases the cost of fluorescent light fixtures, though often one ballast is Bingo Game?
shared between two or more lamps. Electromagnetic ballasts with a minor fault
How to Calculate Total
can produce an audible humming or buzzing noise.
Fixture Wattage for
Magnetic ballasts are usually filled with a tar-like potting compound to reduce Fluorescent Lighting
emitted noise. Hum is eliminated in lamps with a high-frequency electronic ballast.
LED vs Fluorescent:
Energy lost in magnetic ballasts can be significant, on the order of 10% of lamp
10 Problems To
input power.
Consider With
Electronic ballasts reduce this loss. Small lamps may use an incandescent lamp Fluorescent Lighting
as a ballast if the supply voltage is high enough to allow the lamp to start.
T8 Lighting:What Is
The Actual Lumen
5. Power Quality and Radio Interference
Output For T8
Inductive ballasts include power factor correction capacitors. Simple electronic Fluorescent Bulbs?
ballasts may also have low power factor due to their rectifier input stage. How To Calculate
Lighting Costs For
Fluorescent lamps are a non-linear load and generate harmonic currents in the
electrical power supply. The arc within the lamp may generate radio frequency Metal Halide Fixtures
noise, which can be conducted through power wiring. Suppression of radio 400 Watt Metal Halide
interference is possible. Replacements: LED
Good suppression is possible, but adds to the cost of the fluorescent fixtures. Highbay vs. T5
Highbay
6. Not As Efficient At High and Low Temperatures T5 vs T8 vs LED: The
Best Options For
Fluorescent lamps operate best around room temperature. At much lower or Replacing Aging T-12
higher temperatures, efficiency decreases.
Fixtures
At below-freezing temperatures standard lamps may not start. Special lamps may How To Calculate
be needed for reliable service outdoors in cold weather. Watts For Analyzing
In applications such as road and railway signaling, fluorescent lamps which do not Energy Efficiency
generate as much heat as incandescent lamps may not melt snow and ice build Projects
up around the lamp, leading to reduced visibility.

7. Fluorescent Lamp Shape Cause Retrofit Problems

Fluorescent tubes are long, low-luminance sources compared with high pressure
arc lamps and
incandescent lamps. However, low luminous intensity of the emitting surface is
useful because it reduces glare.

Lamp fixture design must control light from a long tube instead of a compact
globe. The compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) replaces regular incandescent bulbs.

However, some CFLs will not fit some lamps, because the harp (heavy wire
shade support bracket) is shaped for the narrow neck of an incandescent lamp,
while CFLs tend to have a wide housing for their electronic ballast close to the
lamp's base.

8. Most Fluorescents Are Not Able To Be Dimmed

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Fluorescent light fixtures cannot be connected to dimmer switches intended for New Blog Ar cle
incandescent Updates
lamps.
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Two effects are responsible for this:

1. The waveform of the voltage emitted by a standard phase-control dimmer

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interacts badly with many ballasts.

2. It becomes difficult to sustain an arc in the fluorescent tube at low power levels.

Dimming installations require a compatible dimming ballast. These systems keep Latest Posts
the cathodes of the fluorescent tube fully heated even as the arc current is Changes For The New
reduced, promoting easy thermionic emission of electrons into the arc stream.
Year At Hovey
Now, before you go off and write me a note telling me I am wrong, here is the Electric....Check It
exception... Out...
This would not apply to some CFLs as they are available to be used with How Do LED Lights
with suitable dimmers. Work and Why Are
They Better?
9. Contaminants Cause Disposal and Recycling Issues
LED Lights: MaxLite
The disposal of phosphor and particularly the toxic mercury in the tubes is an Wall Packs Replace
environmental issue. 100-250 Watt Metal
Halide
Governmental regulations in many areas require special disposal of fluorescent
lamps separate from general and household wastes. Energy Efficient
Lighting: What Are
For large commercial or industrial users of fluorescent lights, recycling services Light Distribution
are available in many nations, and may be required by regulation. In some areas, Patterns?
recycling is also available to consumers.
Why "Lumens" Are
But even though recycling is available, it can be expensive which leads to a Important To Your
bigger issue. If it is too expensive to dispose of the lamps, people are not Energy Efficient
encouraged to recycle and dispose of the lamps in ways that are harmful to our Lighting Analysis
environment.
Highbay Options: T5
10. Light From Fluorescent Bulb Is Non-Direc onal vs T8 vs 400 Watt
Metal Halide vs LED
The Light from fluorescent bulbs is non-directional light source. When a Highbay
fluorescent bulb is lit, it gives off lighting all the way around the bulb or otherwise
360 degrees. 4 Major Advantages to
Buying C9 LED
This means that only about 60-70% of the actual light being given off by the Christmas Lighting
fluorescent lamps is being used. The other 30-40% is wasted.
7 Reasons to Choose
This wasted light tends to lead to over lighting certain areas, especially offices. LED Christmas Lights
Most offices we go into will not qualify for The Energy Policy Act of 2005 because This Holiday Season
the wattage per square foot is too high.
Everything You Ever
Wanted to Know
What About Considering T8 LED Bulbs?
About C7 LED
In the article above, LED is the best replacement to solve most of those problems Christmas Lights...
that are listed, but they can be a little pricey. Because of the reach of our blog, we Scotopic vs Photopic
have set up a special direct relationship with a LED manufacturer and now have
Vision: How Your Eyes
LED T8 Bulbs, LED Parking Fixtures, LED Wall Packs and LED Troffers.
Perceive Light Quality
If you are looking for a better alternative to Fluorscent lighting, then check out our
deal on T8 LED bulbs, just click on the blue box below. Thanks, Jimmy

Click Here To Learn More About T8 LED Bulbs

Topics: fluorescent ballasts, led replacement bulbs, led vs fluorescent, LED
Lighting, fluorescent lighting, fluorescent bulbs vs led bulbs

Danny Liufalani

9/10/2013, 4:45:57 AM

It seemed you talking about the Electromagnetic ballast system vs LED..why

dont you mentioned the next stage of the actual retrofit to T.5.electronic
ballast..

Reply to Danny Liufalani

Decora ve Ligh ng

12/23/2013, 5:28:59 PM

Arteso is the global Architectural Outdoor LED Decorative Lighting provider

who manufactures Architectural Outdoor Lighting, Handmade LED
Decorative Lights, indoor luminaires, LED Design support, LED Decorative
Lamps in Chennai, Outdoor LED Lighting in Chennai.
 Reply to Decorative Lighting

Decora ve Ligh ng

1/10/2014, 8:37:54 PM

Arteso providing the best indoor & outdoor luminaires,manufacturing

Architectural Outdoor Lighting,Kitchen LED
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Reply to Decorative Lighting

Sco Soto

3/19/2014, 10:07:28 PM

Thanks for the inventor of led light who gave us a efficient way of lighting
source and get rid off from old incandescent lights and bulbs which have 10
problems like as you share.

Reply to ScottSoto

Mark Le bois

5/26/2014, 6:14:11 PM

Thanks for the article, it is very instructive. I found this website if you would
like to read further infomation:www.archiexpo.com/architecture-design-
manufacturer/fluorescent-light-1598.html

Reply to Mark Le bois

Money Man

5/29/2014, 8:47:12 AM

fake and gay

Reply to Money Man

Pa e

6/10/2014, 3:47:18 AM

I have an old Coleman twin tube 9" flourescent tube Lantern that was
apparently discontinued a long time ago. I actually found this item a few
years ago at a rest stop and I love it. From your article- I learned about it's
360 degree output, which is why it's perfect for this particular application.
How would this compare to LED bulbs, in terms of cost, efficiency and output
for the same type item and application? Purchase/use cost, output, over
time, replacement bulb costs, etc? Is flourescent simply inferior to other types
of lighting?

Reply to Pattie

Denise Jia

6/20/2014, 12:30:33 PM

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you.

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Reply to Denise Jia

sushiwilliams

7/2/2014, 3:56:21 PM

Nice analyze the diffrence Between "LED vs Fluorescent" will help lot

Reply to sushiwilliams

luxon led street light

9/5/2014, 3:44:48 PM

Hi,
Thanks for posting wonderful blog post and I will know more about LED
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led street light

Reply to luxon led street light

Mark

9/13/2014, 2:53:37 PM

I really appreciate this blog. In these days, everyone used LED lights
because it is energy efficient, environment friendly and safe to use. Thanks
for sharing the valuable information with us.

Reply to Mark

willson12

10/16/2014, 2:07:42 PM

Very newsy post highlighting the best features of LED's over the fluorescent
lighting fixtures.

Reply to willson12

p
10/19/2014, 11:36:15 PM

what is the reason electorically that led tube light of 18 watt gives more light
than incandescent tube light kindly explain

Reply to p

Mark

10/24/2014, 1:30:07 PM

Because an incandescent bulb gives off more energy as heat rather than
light, something to do with the resistance of a Tungsten filliment. Please help
Physics Guru's. (English guru's who pick me up on my spelling mistakes and
grammer, butt out!)

Reply to Mark

Sophi

11/10/2014, 8:44:49 PM

True, LED is better than fluorescent. LED Lights are environment friendly and
more secure than fluorescent because it works at much lower temperatures
and reduce the fire causes.

Reply to Sophi

Industrial table lamp

11/25/2014, 11:54:42 PM

WOW !! What a Useful blog and Wonderful discussed to Fluorescent

Lighting. Thanks author for your helpful post and outstanding article to
Lighting.

Reply to Industrial table lamp

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tom ross

4/20/2015, 11:34:29 PM

good and bright but goes out after about an hour, should i disconnect ballast?

Reply to tom ross

wok Hoffman

5/15/2015, 12:03:34 AM

Thanks for sharing such a informative information with us, Its really helpful for
me.

Reply to wok Hoffman

Joe

6/17/2015, 12:11:28 AM

I want to replace a 4 ft. 2 tube florescent light with an led light.

What wattage led light will give me the equivalent amount of light?
Thanks for your answer.

Reply to Joe

arc floor lamp

6/24/2015, 5:16:01 PM

please give more designs on wood with led lights for arc floor lamps.

Reply to arc floor lamp

jack dully

7/31/2015, 11:29:49 AM
I'm not sure if I asked this previously.I like the color purity of DAYLIGHT
fluorescent bulbs,what is the kelvin temp.of led's in the T8 form and do they
give off that bluish light of a daylight bulb?In addition some led's are clear
and some are frosted,does the clear ones give more light,for a ceiling set-up
Thanks

Reply to jack dully

vibGYOR internaTIONAL

8/14/2015, 7:35:44 PM

oh common stop kidding. i still like candle light!!!

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George Varghese

9/1/2015, 7:00:20 PM

For a ESD controlled work area which is better Fluorescent or LED?

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Carl van Denzen

10/20/2016, 2:36:09 PM

Much about fluorescent, nothing about led.

Can anyone exlain why led t8 is powered off two pins on one side of the tube,
necessitating a dummy starter? Why isn't it powered from both ends of the
tube, eliminating the need for a dummy starter (only a need to remove the
original starter)?

What about power quality? As well for a led T8 with the old ballast installed
and the case where the old ballast was removed (to eliminate energy loss in
the ballast).

Reply to Carl van Denzen

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11/2/2016, 2:37:32 PM

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and heat—in all directions (because LEDs are mounted on a flat surface,
they emit light hemispherically rather than spherically). This directional
lighting capability reduces wasted light and energy.

Reply to led manufacturer in india

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11/16/2017, 5:08:04 PM

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