General Electric has since stopped production of domestic CFL lamps in the United States in favour of LEDs. White LED lamps compete with CFLs for high-efficiency lighting. Improved phosphor formulations have improved the perceived color of the light emitted by CFLs, such that some sources rate the best 'soft white' CFLs as subjectively similar in color to standard incandescent lamps. The principle of operation remains the same as in other fluorescent lighting: electrons that are bound to mercury atoms are excited to states where they will radiate ultraviolet light as they return to a lower energy level this emitted ultraviolet light is converted into visible light as it strikes the fluorescent coating, and into heat when absorbed by other materials such as glass.ĬFLs radiate a spectral power distribution that is different from that of incandescent lamps.

These countries have established special collection systems for CFLs and other hazardous waste. In many countries, governments have banned the disposal of CFLs together with regular garbage. Like all fluorescent lamps, CFLs contain toxic mercury, which complicates their disposal. A CFL has a higher purchase price than an incandescent lamp, but can save over five times its purchase price in electricity costs over the lamp's lifetime. The lamps use a tube that is curved or folded to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb, and a compact electronic ballast in the base of the lamp.Ĭompared to general-service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use one-fifth to one-third the electric power, and last eight to fifteen times longer. Comparison of CFLs with power ratings of 105 W, 36 W, and 11 WĪ compact fluorescent lamp ( CFL), also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent light bulb some types fit into light fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs.

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