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A fluorescent lamp generates light from collisions in a hot gas (‘plasma’) of free accelerated electrons with atoms– typically mercury – in which electrons are bumped up to higher energy levels and then fall back while emitting at two UV emission lines (254 nm and 185 nm).
How do fluorescent lights work simple?
Fluorescent lamps work by ionizing mercury vapor in a glass tube. This causes electrons in the gas to emit photons at UV frequencies. The UV light is converted into standard visible light using a phosphor coating on the inside of the tube.
How do fluorescent lights work with a ballast?
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output.
Do fluorescent lights use a lot of electricity?
Fluorescent lamps, including compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), use about 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and last six to 15 times as long, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). But it’s widely believed that these popular bulbs use a lot of energy to start up. Otherwise, turn the light off.
Can a fluorescent light work without a starter?
Can a fluorescent lamp work without a starter? Some modern fluorescent lights do work without a starter because they come pre-equipped with a ballast that has extra windings. It constantly supplies a small amount of voltage to give heat to the filaments.
Which is better fluorescent or LED?
LED tube lighting is the better choice because it lasts about 40,000 hours longer in testing, is more energy efficient, will save you more money, and will leave less impact on the environment.
How does a fluorescent tube work a level physics?
Fluorescent tubes are filled with low pressure mercury, when an electric current is passed through, the electrons in mercury are excited and move to a high energy level, this high level state is unstable and so the electron moves back to its original state, but on doing so, it emits an electromagnetic wave with energy.
Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?
Reverted question “ Can I make a fluorescent light work without a ballast?” yes, you can, but you need something to reduce the current as the bulb warms up. So, you can drive a fluorescent with a pulse width adjustable power supply, but this is what is in an ‘electronic’ ballast.
Does a ballast use electricity if no bulbs are present?
No, unlike LEDs, the fluorescent bulb itself (or rather the tube) can not use power when it burns out, however, the ballasts may use a trace of energy whether or not there is a bulb installed.
Do I need an electrician to replace a ballast?
Yes. In fact, you really need a locking device to replace the ballast. – An electrician replaces the ballast on a fluorescent lamp. He uses a switch on the wall to turn off the fluorescent light.
Is it cheaper to leave lights on or turn on and off?
You should leave the lights on because it takes more energy to turn them back on than you’ll save by turning them off. FALSE! Fluorescent lights do take a small surge of power when turned on, but this is significantly smaller than the amount saved by turning them off.
Is it cheaper to leave a fluorescent light on?
You may have heard people say: “It’s best to leave fluorescent lights on: it’s cheaper than switching them on and off”. It is true that switching on/off fluorescents reduces lamp life but lamps are designed to be switched on/off up to seven times a day without any effect on their life.
Why do fluorescent bulbs burn out quickly?
CFLs are admittedly more finicky than incandescent bulbs. Some of the factors that can cause them to burn out early include vibrations, temperature, enclosures, use with incompatible dimmers, poor base contact with the fixture, and fluctuations in power.
Is it the starter or the ballast?
In older fluorescent fixtures, the ballast, or choke, is a transformer that limits the current flowing into the tube, while the starter provides the high voltage needed to excite the tube when it is turned on.
Why do fluorescent lights not turn on?
The fluorescent tube won’t turn on No electrical power due to a tripped breaker or blown fuse. A dead or dying ballast. A dead starter. A dead bulb.
Why do new fluorescent bulbs flicker?
Lamp blinks: This is usually because of a poor connection where the tube fits into its sockets at each end. Take the tube out and clean the pins at each end with fine steel wool. Brush dust out of sockets, then reseat firmly.
Can I put LED bulbs in a fluorescent fixture?
Many LED tubes are “plug and play”, meaning you can just install them like you would a fluorescent bulb. For this to be true, look for bulbs that are “ballast-compatible” meaning that they can use the ballast already installed in your fluorescent fixture to power the LEDs.
Are LED lights brighter than fluorescent lights?
The LED tube lights are noticeably brighter than fluorescent tubes and you don’t get exposed to any kind of harmful rays such as UV/IV rays as well that can damage your eyes and can result in skin allergies as well.
Which is cheaper to run LED or fluorescent?
Other Factors. Both types of lighting are energy-efficient when compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED technology costs more than CFL and fluorescent lighting, but the LED bulbs also last longer and use less energy than fluorescent bulbs. LEDs do not contain mercury or harmful gases.
How is light produced in a fluorescent tube?
A fluorescent lamp generates light from collisions in a hot gas (‘plasma’) of free accelerated electrons with atoms– typically mercury – in which electrons are bumped up to higher energy levels and then fall back while emitting at two UV emission lines (254 nm and 185 nm).
How does a fluorescent tube produce photons?
As electrons and charged atoms move through the tube, some of them will collide with the gaseous mercury atoms. These collisions excite the atoms, bumping electrons up to higher energy levels. When the electrons return to their original energy level, they release light photons.
What are the two substances in fluorescent lights?
A fluorescent lamp consists of a glass tube filled with a mixture of argon and mercury vapour. Metal electrodes at each end are coated with an alkaline earth oxide that gives off electrons easily. When current flows through the gas between the electrodes, the gas is ionized and emits ultraviolet radiation.
