Applications of Fluorescent Lighting

1. Introduction to Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lighting is based on the principles that when electricity is passed through a gas and causes the gas to discharge energy, this energy will interact with the coating on the inner surface of the glass tube to produce light. The light that is created is based on the color of the phosphors and will vary between manufacturers. The lamps are filled with low-pressure gas mixed with trace amounts of mercury. When the gas is charged with electricity, it conducts and creates UV radiation. The UV radiation is absorbed by the phosphors.

There are many different types of fluorescent lamps. The basic principle of all the lamps is the same; only the appearance is different. High-output lamps produce more light, and electrodeless lamps do not have any electrodes. Other lamps, such as compact lamps, have coils to allow for the lamp to be smaller and in a different configuration. Fluorescent lighting is more efficient than incandescent lighting. Although the initial cost of a lamp and reflector combination may seem too high, under the right conditions, the energy savings and longevity of lamp life will quickly make the investment a sound one. Some may still believe that fluorescent lighting is too fragile or not bright enough to be used in outdoor security applications. It is important to understand the technology and application when considering outdoor security lighting.

2. Commercial and Industrial Applications

Fluorescent lighting is most frequently used in commercial and industrial settings, where large facilities require cost-effective and efficient lighting options. In an industrial setting, a facility might use many individual light fixtures, which can cost the business a large amount in energy bills. Using more efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures can reduce this cost. Fluorescent lighting fixtures are most commonly seen inside zoned drop ceilings in commercial settings, although they are also sometimes used in other areas, particularly where budgeting is a concern. Fluorescent lighting is frequently used to light large commercial office buildings, warehouses, and retail showrooms. Fluorescent lights can also be used as a way to show off displays or make an area look attractive to customers. Fluorescent lights provide a comfortable amount of light and can eliminate uncomfortable glare and reduce flickering, which can help increase employee productivity. Additionally, natural light with ultraviolet rays is delivered by fluorescent lights, meaning it can imitate the light of natural sunshine more closely. Studies have shown that by doing so, they can increase worker productivity. Unreasonable eye stress can be minimized by removing annoying glare, flicker, and hot places. Fluorescent light fixtures improved employee satisfaction and productivity in a warehouse when the incidents of accidents involving trucks decreased. Fluorescent lights make businesses look good. Case studies have shown high employee morale and investment gains at various organizations meeting expense targets. Representatives of both agencies, in particular, praise ergonomics and lighting integration. It requires less attention than other types of lamps and reduces the strain on the officer's eyes. Workers say that the light is less stressful and reduces the amount of head-turning and eye shifting. Installation in warehouses or industrial zones can prove challenging because this area can be quite large, necessitating more lighting fixtures, and traditionally has a drop ceiling. Maintaining very high lighting facilities, especially outdoors, can also prove difficult.

3. Residential Applications

While initially used almost exclusively for a variety of commercial purposes, fluorescent lighting is also gaining popularity in many residential applications. The general trend of recent years has been towards energy efficiency, and fluorescent lights fit squarely within that category. Homeowners are quickly coming to value their long lifespan and energy-saving features. Depending on the design and technology of the fixture or lamp chosen, energy savings can be as high as 75%, and the lamp life is generally much longer than that of comparable incandescent bulbs.

There are many different ways to integrate fluorescent lighting into any home. Ceiling lights, under-cabinet lights, the ever-popular fluorescent tabletop lamp, wall lighting, and outdoor lighting are bulbs and fixtures commonly found in residential settings. While potentially not for everyone, many people are embracing the versatility of fluorescent lighting when remodeling or building their new kitchens, baths, and other rooms. The newest residential designs of fluorescent lights embrace updated aesthetic qualities and designs that work for everyday lifestyles and decorating options.

Fluorescent lighting comes in many color combinations. The measurements of daylight, light output at ideal color, and range in color allow for complete customization to achieve many specific looks and feels. A very subtle impact could be made by changing the color temperature of a specific light in a room, or overall, numerous spots or lamps could affect the mood of a room. Many homeowners have staple light sources that they use, such as under-cabinet lights for task lighting or reading lamps for reading. The color temperature in areas will help to create the ideal environment for these activities. There are only two standard residential fixtures available: the ceiling fluorescent and a wall fluorescent, which are the two most popular applications. There are a few different wall fixtures; however, they are very similar in design. Fluorescent ceiling fixtures range from larger kitchen models to smaller, compact applications. The choice of which fixture would work best is purely a matter of preference, as the design allows the fixture to be more of a focal point than an eyesore. When placing these fixtures in a residence, they are very versatile and can be used in a room for overall lighting or for a specific purpose.

It is very simple to convert existing residential fixtures to accept a fluorescent bulb; in fact, the entire exercise can be done with little more than a screwdriver and an extra set of hands. The first step is to turn off the power to your destination wiring at the circuit breaker. Next, with your new fluorescent bulb in hand, remove the old incandescent bulb and twist in the new one. In many cases, a ballast upgrade may be required when converting incandescent light fixtures to fluorescent in order to control the excess power of the new fixture, but most kits found in hardware stores should remedy this with the proper technology. The final, however perhaps most important step is to properly dispose of your incandescent bulbs and fixtures, and always consult with a certified electrician if you are unsure of your abilities to properly convert your fixtures to fluorescent. By electing to upgrade your homes with fluorescent lighting, homeowners can proudly declare ownership of environmentally sustainable living spaces that value energy conservation. Homegrown energy efficiency doesn't have to demand prohibitively large personal investments, and with smart choices, homeowners will begin to see an immediate return on their investment.

4. Healthcare and Educational Settings

Hospitals and clinics always need bright, clean lighting. In fact, no matter the setting, there is a well-documented positive link between healthcare patient well-being and access to natural light in rooms, greater enfolds, and other lighting treatments that use both technology and art to create the most visually and physiologically comfortable ambiance for patients and staff. Meanwhile, clinical and research studies also demonstrate that bright, white light is essential in healthcare. Fluorescent lighting in a healthcare facility must be bright enough for safe mobility, good visual acuity, sharing of visual information between staff and patients, identification of other people and objects, and to enable surveillance of the facility. Different responsibilities of rooms have different lighting requirements. This is why some, like operating room suites, will have special surgical lights, aside from bright fluorescent lighting, and others, like inpatient ICU, will have the general-purpose installed overhead lights, as well as two separately controlled levels of reading or examination lights by each bed, for direct and ambient care. In educational settings, efficient lighting also spells value. In schools and universities, the recommendation for fluorescent lighting levels is 30 to 45 foot candles. With bright, cool lighting, we find students can see better and their teachers need to be able to see even the youngest ones in the back of a room for safety and academic purposes, as well. As well as preventing glare, adequate lighting also keeps people more alert. At some schools, when the local power company paid for fluorescent lighting retrofits in schools, student and teacher attendance records improved. Some of the added benefits of the visual environment are reduced eye strain, which extends mental effort. In older buildings, adequate fluorescent lighting may also improve safety by reducing the risk of trips, slips, and falls. In addition, visual barriers need to be lighted. Whiteboards must be illuminated so that the text is bright and easy to read. Fluorescent lighting retrofits improved the visibility of notices in academic and administrative areas in a number of facilities, which saves time staff would have spent answering questions about schedules and meetings. Of course, fluorescent lighting needs change by setting. A welding shop may have such a high degree of natural glare that occupants wish that there were more walls and shades. In a scientific laboratory, a lot of light enables a high level of visual acuity, but light in the ultraviolet range will be harmful, so special fluorescent lights and shields will be necessary. This fact is equally vital regardless of eventual room usage.

5. Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

The production of electric power is still the largest industrial pollutant in the United States. If every home in the country swapped one incandescent light bulb for a compact fluorescent light bulb, we would prevent millions of tons of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere, estimated to be similar to hundreds of thousands of cars. This would potentially take employees off insurance rosters and allow individuals to collect additional wages. These could seem like extravagant consequences, as the goal is to prevent all Americans from having to buy insurance as well as the most efficient use of one's utilities. Residential lighting usage accounts for about 9 percent of consumed energy in the United States or the equivalent of one-fourth of the total amount of electricity used in the U.S. for lighting. The replacement of an incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will result in a cost savings on one's energy bill. Twenty incandescent bulbs will be used over 3 years at a cost, whereas only three compact fluorescent bulbs will need to be used over 3 years at a total cost.

Forty percent of all energy is used in buildings, and lighting accounts for a significant portion of the lighting consumption in a typical building. The energy productivity of a building's lighting can be increased by up to 25 percent. Concerted advances in such technologies have improved light quality from fluorescent light bulbs while minimizing waste. The typical fluorescent bulb has a lifespan as much as ten times more than the lifespan of incandescent light bulbs. Manufacturers are making strides toward making fluorescent light bulbs contain no mercury or manufacturing their bulbs with small amounts of mercury in order to allow for barium nitrate to both be used as a catalyst and break down the mercury faster in the recycling process. A final stage of the usefulness of fluorescent lighting is the question of how to dispose of and/or recycle fluorescent bulbs, and though fluorescent bulb recycling is gaining popularity in addition to being required by some local municipalities, it is not surprising that fluorescent bulbs are routinely not properly disposed of or recycled. Government regulations understand the cost-saving benefits of using fluorescent lighting in any type of facility, be that commercial property or governmental buildings on many levels. It is no mystery that fluorescent light bulbs are considered a necessity of green lighting in countries that have energy-efficiency requirements mandated by law, in that the cost of energy, because it is scarce, is often extremely expensive and a commodity often precious. Circulating compact fluorescent television ads recently have rewarded users by including promises of energy efficiency.