Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL)
NEW PRODUCTS
Elite Lighting is excited to announce the launch of several innovative new Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lamps. These exciting new products further enhance Elite's already comprehensive line-up of energy efficient lamps.
CFLs are simply miniature versions of full-sized fluorescents. They screw into standard lamp sockets, and give off light that looks just like the common incandescent bulbs - not like the fluorescent lighting we associate with factories and schools.
Benefits of compact Fluorescent Lights
Efficient
CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. A 23 watt CFL has about the same light output as a 100 watt incandescent. CFLs use 50 - 80% less energy than incandescents.
Less Expensive
Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use 1/3 the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents. A single 18 watt CFL used in place of a 75 watt incandescent will save about 570 kWh over its lifetime. At 8 cents per kWh, that equates to a $45 savings.
Reduces Air and Water Pollution
Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.
High-Quality Light
Newer CFLs provide a better quality of ligh than older fluorescents. They use rare earth phosphors for excellent color and warmth. New electronically ballasted CFLs do not flicker or hum. Higher quality glass is used for lumen maintenance.
Versatile
CFLs can be applied nearly anywhere that incandescent lights are used. Energy-efficient CFLs can be used in recessed fixtures, table lamps, track lighting, ceiling fixtures and porchlights. 3-way and dimmable CFLs are also now available.
They may look the same But they're not
CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) performance in both lamp life and light is dependent on the electronic ballasting in the base of the lamp.
Manufactures vary in circuitry design. The number of electronic components can range from 16 to a high of 36. Performance and price are affected not only by the ballast design, but also the quality and tolerances of the individual parts themselves. These parts are rated in plus or minus tolerance. A component with a +/- 5% will operate better than the less expensive component that is rated at +/- 10%.
Heat is a prime concern as these components have limits. All CFL ballast have electrolytic capacitors. They are the cylinder objects in the photograph. The electrolytic capacitor contains a liquid that can be depleted and cause premature failure if the operating temperature is exceeded. The better quality CFLs have designed product to be operated in commercial applications in any burning position. This ability to tolerate higher heat from longer burning hours gives these CFLs a longer life expectancy and maintained light output.
Why do capacitors fail?
Electrolytic capacitors use a semi-liquid electrolyte inside the case to make electrical contact with the foil windings. This electrical interface is inherent in the capacitor’s ability to carry current and function as an energy storage unit for the electrical power input. When the interface between the electrolyte and the metallic foil windings begins to degrade, the electrical connection beings to fail.
Heat build up is the primary cause of this degradation, which, depending on severity, can cause either short-term catastrophic failure, or long term functional degradation. Similar to the life expectancy of silicon semiconductor die, the life expectancy of an electrolytic capacitor relates directly to its internal temperature. Every 10° C increase in internal temperature halves the component lifetime.