What is CFL?

A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also known as a compact fluorescent light or energy
saving light (or less commonly as a compact fluorescent tube), is a type of fluorescent lamp.
Many CFLs are designed to replace an incandescent lamp and can fit into most existing light
fixtures formerly used for incandescent.

Compared to general service incandescent lamps giving the same amount of visible light, CFLs use less
power and have a longer rated life.

In 1985 Osram started selling their model EL lamp which was the first CFL to include electronic
ballast

Types of CFLs :

There are two types of CFLs: integrated and non-integrated lamps.

Integrated lamps combine a tube, an electronic ballast and either an Edison screw or a bayonet
fitting in a single unit. These lamps allow consumers to replace incandescent lamps easily with
CFLs. Integrated CFLs work well in many standard incandescent light fixtures, reducing the cost
of converting to fluorescent. Special 3-way models and dimmable models with standard bases
are available.

Non-integrated CFLs have the ballast permanently installed in the luminaire, and only the lamp bulb is
usually changed at its end of life. Since the ballasts are placed in the light fixture they are larger and last
longer compared to the integrated ones, and they don't need to be replaced when the bulb reaches its end-
of-life. Non-integrated CFL housings can be both more expensive and sophisticated.

non integrated lamps

integrated lamp

Components

CFLs have two main components: a gas-filled tube (also called bulb or burner) and a magnetic or
electronic ballast. Electronic ballast is more common.

electronic ballast
 magnetic ballast

Why CFL over incandescent lamps?

The average rated life of a CFL is between 8 and 15 times that of incandescent. CFLs typically have a
rated lifespan of between 6,000 and 15,000 hours, whereas incandescent lamps are usually manufactured
to have a lifespan of 750 hours or 1,000 hours.

For a given light output, CFLs use 20 to 33 percent of the power of equivalent incandescent lamps.

Electrical power equivalents for differing lamps

Electrical power consumption Minimum light outputs
Watts (W) lumens (lm)
Compact fluorescent Incandescent
9–13 40 450
13–15 60 800
18–25 75 1,100
23–30 100 1,600
30–52 150 2,600

If a building's indoor incandescent lamps are replaced by CFLs, the heat produced due to lighting is
significantly reduced. In warm climates or in office or industrial buildings where air conditioning is often
required, CFLs would reduce the load on the cooling system when compared to the use of incandescent
lamps, resulting in savings in electricity
The typical luminous efficacy of CFL lamps is 60 to 72 lumens per watt, and that of normal domestic
incandescent lamps is 13 to 18 lm/W.

Because the eye's sensitivity changes with the wavelength, the output of lamps is commonly measured in
lumens, a measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye.

A 100 watt incandescent lamp costs around Rs. 15 and a 100 watt CFL costs around Rs. 50.

Positives of CFL

Excellent light output

Saves up to 80% energy when compared to ordinary bulbs

Generates 80% less heat than ordinary bulbs saving on A/C costs and reducing risk of fire

CFL Lamps helps in reducing eye strain

Low lumen decline and a long life span

Replacement of incandescent lamps with CFL saves electricity

 Negatives

CFLs turn on within a second, but many still take time to warm up to full brightness. CFL can
take up to a minute to reach full brightness, or longer in very cold temperatures. Some that use a
mercury amalgam can take up to three minutes to reach full output.

If individuals are exposed to the light produced by some single-envelope compact fluorescent
lamps for long periods of time at distances of less than 20 cm, it could lead to ultraviolet
exposures approaching the current workplace limit set to protect workers from skin and retinal
damage.

CFLs, like all fluorescent lamps, contains mercury as vapor inside the glass tubing. Because
mercury is poisonous, even these small amounts are a concern for landfills and waste incinerators
where the mercury from lamps may be released and contribute to air and water pollution.

Failure or damage to ballast can cause bad odor, smoke or even flames.

Bachat Lamp Yojana

In February, India put a program into action that will phase out incandescent light bulbs and
eventually decrease the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 55 tons. By 2012, the
government-sponsored program, called Bachat Lamp Yojana, will replace 400 million
incandescent with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), which use less energy and have a
longer life span than normal bulbs. 

Part of the program’s goal is to make CFLs affordable to the Indian public. The eco-friendly
bulbs normally cost between 80 and 100 rupees, but the program knocks the cost down to 15
rupees, making it just as economical to buy a CFL as an incandescent bulb. 
India has joined the ranks of other eco-friendly nations by pledging to replace 400 million
incandescent bulbs with CFLs, which use less energy and last longer. 

Funding for India’s program comes in part from the cleaner development mechanism — part of
the Kyoto protocol — in which developed nations fund developing nations in their efforts to
reduce emissions. Further funding could come from the United Nations Climate Summit Change
in Copenhagen in December. At the summit, developed nations will decide whether to fund $140
billion a year to help developing nations implement environmentally friendly policies. 

India’s new program puts it in league with nations like Australia, Argentina and Ireland, all of
which have light bulb laws. In the last few years more than 10 countries, including the United
States, have pledged to do away with incandescent light bulbs. The United States has committed
to doing so by 2014. The sooner, the better. 
Emergence of LED bulbs.

An LED lamp (LED lightbulb) is a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as
the source of light. The LEDs involved may be conventional semiconductor light-emitting diodes,
to organic LEDs (OLED), or polymer light-emitting diodes (PLED) devices.
Since the light output of individual light-emitting diodes is small compared to incandescent and
compact fluorescent lamps, multiple diodes are often used together. In recent years, as diode
technology has improved, high power light-emitting diodes with higher lumen output are making
it possible to replace other lamps with LED lamps.

dropped ceiling with LED lamps

 Comparison Chart
 LED Lights vs. Incandescent Light Bulbs vs. CFLs

Energy Efficiency
& Energy Costs Light Emitting Incandescent
Compact
Fluorescents
Diodes (LEDs) Light Bulbs
(CFLs)
Life Span (average)  50,000 hours  1,200 hours 8,000 hours

Watts of electricity used

(equivalent to 60 watt bulb). 

LEDs use less power (watts) per unit of 6 - 8 watts 60 watts 13-15 watts
light generated (lumens).  LEDs help
reduce greenhouse gas emissions from
power plants and lower electric bills

Kilo-watts of Electricity used   

(30 Incandescent Bulbs per year 329 KWh/yr. 3285 KWh/yr. 767 KWh/yr.
equivalent) 
Annual Operating Cost   
(30 Incandescent Bulbs per year $32.85/year $328.59/year $76.65/year
equivalent) 
 

Environmental 
Impact Light Emitting
Incandescent
Compact
Diodes (LEDs) Fluorescents
Light Bulbs
(CFLs)
Yes - Mercury is very
Contains the TOXIC Mercury  No No toxic to your health and
the environment
 No - contains 1mg-5mg
of Mercury and is a
RoHS Compliant Yes Yes
major risk to the
environment

Carbon Dioxide Emissions  

(30 bulbs per year)
451 pounds/year 4500 pounds/year 1051 pounds/year
Lower energy consumption decreases:
CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide, and high-
level nuclear waste. 

Important Facts
Compact
Light Emitting Incandescent
Fluorescents
Diodes (LEDs) Light Bulbs
(CFLs)
Yes - may not work
under negative 10
Sensitivity to low temperatures None Some degrees Fahrenheit or
over 120 degrees
Fahrenheit

Sensitive to humidity No Some Yes

On/off Cycling   
Switching a CFL on/off quickly, in a Yes  - can reduce
No Effect Some
closet for instance, may decrease the lifespan drastically
lifespan of the bulb.
No - takes time to
Turns on instantly Yes Yes
warm up
Very Durable - LEDs Not Very Durable -
Not Very Durable -
Durability can handle jarring and glass or filament can
glass can break easily
bumping break easily

Heat Emitted 3.4 btu's/hour 85 btu's/hour 30 btu's/hour

Yes - may catch on

Failure Modes  Not typical Some fire, smoke, or omit an
odor
Future of bulbs – Electron Stimulated Luminescence

Electron Stimulated Luminescence is light produced by accelerated electrons hitting a phosphor

(fluorescent) surface in a process known as cathodoluminescence. The light generation process is
similar to a cathode ray tube (CRT) but lacks magnetic or electrostatic deflection.

ESL is not available in India.

ESL Characteristics:

 The energy consumption is 70 % less than that of an incandescent light bulb.
 The 10,000 hour lifetime is five times longer than an incandescent light bulb. Light is
generated instantly when power is applied.
 Light is generated instantly when power is applied.
 ESL lamps do not use mercury in the lighting process. Hence, no mercury related health
issues associated.
 Provides at least five thousand volts of power to the light emitting device.

 Drawbacks included a slightly larger-than-normal base (which favors newer

recessed "can" installations) and a slight delay in illumination when switched on,
similar to CFLs.