CFL Full Form
What is the full form of CFL?
CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamps. It was designed for the purpose of replacement for incandescent light bulbs. The lamps use a tiny electronic ballast in the lamp base and a tube that is folded or curled to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb.
CFL: Compact Fluorescent Lamps
An upgrade of conventional fluorescent technology is the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs were developed as a more energy-efficient substitute for incandescent lighting in traditional settings. They screw into a medium base socket and have a spiral design, rather than a lengthy tube, which makes them "compact." Contrary to conventional fluorescent bulbs, many CFLs also feature an inbuilt ballast.
CFLs first appeared on the lighting market as an incandescent light bulb substitute that used less energy. The production of linear fluorescents had already begun, however the linear tubes did not fit into the same socket as incandescent light bulbs. While using the same socket as an incandescent, a CFL is just as energy-efficient as linear fluorescent tubes.
History of CFL
Peter Cooper Hewitt created the precursor to the contemporary fluorescent lamp in the late 1890s. It was decided to shorten the length of fluorescent light fixtures by using circular and U-shaped lights. At the 1939 New York World's Fair, the first fluorescent light bulb and fixture were on show for the general public. The Philips, SL*an 18 screw-in or bayonet mount lamp with an integrated magnetic ballast was first released in 1980. Osram released the first CFL with an electronic ballast in 1985.
Helical CFLs were first made commercially available in 1995 by Shanghai Xiangshan in China. Sales and production of CFLs have been impacted by the rise of LED lighting. By 2018, "almost 60% of the Indian lighting sector has been taken over by LEDs."
Working Principle of CFL
Compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs create a distinct kind of light. In an incandescent, a wire filament is heated by an electric current until it begins to glow. A CFL works by passing electricity down a tube filled with argon and a tiny amount of mercury vapor. This produces intangible ultraviolet light, which activates a fluorescent coating inside the tube (known as phosphor), causing it to emit visible light.
When compared to incandescent bulbs, CFLs use somewhat more energy at the beginning but use roughly 70% less energy when the electricity starts flowing. The ballast of a CFL assists in "kicking off" the CFL and regulates the current once energy begins to flow. CFLs take longer than other lights to fully illuminate since this entire process normally takes 30 seconds to 3 minutes to finish.
Components of CFL
The parts of a compact fluorescent lamp are the base, the ballast, the ballast cover, the phosphor coating, the mercury vapor, the coil glass tube, and the cover.
Cover: In order to conceal the glass tubes and give the bulb a more conventional form, compact fluorescent bulbs occasionally feature a cover.
Coil glass tube: The medium through which light-producing gasses and mercury are transported is a coil glass tube.
Phosphor coating: Inside the coiled glass tube are phosphor coatings, which aid in converting energy into visible light when mercury and other gasses in the lamp reach an excited state and release energy.
Cathodes: they enable the lamp's current to be directed.
Ballast: The lamp's ballast is powered by the ballast, which also controls the electric current and voltage going into the lamp.
Base: The base acts as an electrical conductor.
Types of CFL
CFLs come in two varieties: integrated and non-integrated lights.
Integrated Light: CFL-i stands for an integrated ballast. In integrated lamps, the tube and ballast are combined into one component. These bulbs make it simple for customers to switch from incandescent to CFL lighting.
Non-integrated light: CFL-ni is for a non-integrated ballast. Non-integrated CFLs are constructed with multiple tubes joined together and are typically used in commercial downlights and wall sconces.
Advantages of CFL
The benefits of CFLs are their energy efficiency, extended lifespan, dimmability, low running costs, unlimited design possibilities, small size, and low heat radiation. A 22 watt CFL can be used to replace a 100 watt incandescent bulb and produce the same amount of light. It is claimed that one bulb alone can cut the amount of this gas in the environment by half a tonne.
Disadvantages of CFL
CFL bulbs should only be used in locations where they will be left on for an extended amount of time without being switched on or off because they are not designed to be turned on and off often. Because CFLs are temperature sensitive, low temperatures result in reduced light levels. These bulbs must be used outside and protected from the weather.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamps. It was designed for the purpose of replacement for incandescent light bulbs. The lamps use a tiny electronic ballast in the lamp base and a tube that is folded or curled to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb.
CFLs are very efficient, have extended lifespan, dimmability, low running costs, unlimited design possibilities, small size, and low heat radiation.
They have reduced the cost a lot since the production. Although the cost is quite higher than incandescent bulbs, you will save way more than the purchase cost in energy cost, i.e., they ultimately save money.
Yes, this suits daily purpose and can be used anytime during the day.
CFLs use 25–35% less energy than incandescent bulbs, however LEDs are the best option if you want to have the most positive environmental impact.