Compact fluorescent lamp: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 20:32, 23 December 2009

Revision as of 20:36, 23 December 2009

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==Comparison with incandescent lamps==

===Lifespan===

The average rated life of a CFL is between 8 and 15 times that of incandescents.<ref>[http://www.nef.org.uk/energysaving/lowenergylighting.htm The National Energy Foundation - Low Energy Lighting - How to Save with CFLs]</ref> CFLs typically have a rated [[Service life|lifespan]] of between 6,000 and 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured to have a lifespan of 750 hours or 15,000 hours.<ref>[http://www.amazon.com/Rough-Service-Light-Bulbs-4-Pack/dp/B002XPB7AW Rough Service Incandescent Bulbs - 5,000 hour average life]</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Osram Dulux EL Energy-Saving Lamps | publisher=Osram | format=PDF | accessdate=2007-12-24 | url=http://www.osram.com/pdf/products/general/duluxsortiment.pdf | archivedate=2006-07-22 | archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060722104807/http://www.osram.com/pdf/products/general/duluxsortiment.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=IEC 60969 - Self-ballasted lamps for general lighting services - Performance requirements | publisher=Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program | accessdate=2007-12-24 | url=http://www.clasponline.org/teststandard.php?no=82}}</ref> Some incandescent bulbs with long rated lifespans of 20,000 hours have [[Incandescent light bulb#Voltage, light output, and lifetime|5-10% less light output than normal bulbs]].<ref>[http://www.smarthome.com/903303.html Light output of long-life incandescent lamps]</ref> For example, an SLI 150W rough-service bulb with a life of 20,000 hours outputs only 1620 lumens instead of 1700 lumens for an efficient normal life bulb.<ref>[http://www.havells-sli.com/cat_lamps.php SLI lighting - lamps]</ref>

The lifetime of any lamp depends on many factors including operating voltage, manufacturing defects, exposure to [[voltage spike]]s, [[Shock (mechanics)|mechanical shock]], frequency of cycling on and off, lamp orientation and ambient operating temperature, among other factors. The life of a CFL is significantly shorter if it is only turned on for a few minutes at a time: In the case of a 5-minute on/off cycle the lifespan of a CFL can be up to 85% shorter, reducing its lifespan to "close to that of incandescent light bulbs".<ref name="energysavers-turn-off">{{Cite web