How do CFL light bulbs work?

How do CFL light bulbs work?

How Do CFLs Work? In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultraviolet light that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor) on the inside of the tube, which then emits visible light.

How long can you leave a CFL on?

CFLs use about 75 percent less energy, plus each bulb can last up to 10,000 hours if used correctly. Super energy efficient CFLs, they use about 75 percent less energy than regular incandescent bulbs, and each bulb can last up to 10,000 hours if used correctly.

Do CFL bulbs 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. When a bare spiral CFL is first switched on, it lights up with approximately 80% of its rated lumens, but it will heat up to its full brightness in about one minute.

Can I put a 100 watt CFL in a 60 watt socket?

For a 60-Watt fixture, you could use a 100W, 125W, or even 150W LED equivalent because they all consume under 60-Watts! That means you could use a 150W LED equivalent bulb in a 60W socket and get more than three times the brightness of your old 60-Watt incandescent bulb.

What if I vacuumed up a broken CFL?

There are no positive health effects from a broken CFL, and you can reduce your exposure. The researchers suggest that in the case of a broken CFL, you should immediately open a nearby window. You can limit contamination by gathering up the large pieces of the broken bulb into a bag and set the bag outside.

Can CFL lights cause a fire?

Consumer Product Safety CommissionA broken compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). When a CFL can no longer produce light, the electronics in its base will still try to function, sometimes leading to overheating, smoke and fire.

Do CFL lights get brighter the longer they are on?

Incandescent, halogen and LED bulbs all reach full intensity as soon as you switch them on, but CFL bulbs take longer. The gas immediately begins to emit ultraviolet radiation, but the bulb doesn’t shine with its full intensity until all of the phosphor painted on the inside of the tube begins to glow.

Do CFL bulbs get dimmer over time?

Another reason you need more lumens is that a CFL will dim over time. It will lose 20 to 25 percent lumen power after 4,000 hours (40 percent of a CFL’s 10,000-hour-rated life). Incandescent bulbs also lose lumens, but the life of these bulbs is extremely short compared with that of CFLs.

How does an incandescent light bulb work in a CFL?

In an incandescent, electric current runs through a wire filament and heats the filament until it starts to glow. In a CFL, an electric current is driven through a tube containing argon and a small amount of mercury vapor. This generates invisible ultraviolet light that excites a fluorescent coating (called phosphor)…

How long does it take for a CFL to turn on?

A CFL’s ballast helps “kick start” the CFL and then regulates the current once the electricity starts flowing. This entire process typically takes 30 seconds to 3 minutes to complete, which is why CFLs take longer than other lights to become fully lit. CFLs with decorative covers like globe or reflector shapes have…

Can a motion sensor work with a CFL?

Most photocells, motion sensors and electric timers are not designed to work with CFLs. Always check with the manufacturer of the control for compatibility. Give them air. CFLs are sensitive to extreme temperatures, so place your CFLs in open fixtures indoors.

Why do CFL bulbs take longer to warm up?

CFLs with decorative covers like globe or reflector shapes have a unique design challenge that results in the tradeoff of a slower warm up time, which is why these CFLs take longer than bare spirals to reach full brightness. Older CFLs used large and heavy magnetic ballasts that caused a buzzing noise in some bulbs.