Fluorescent Bulbs
An Understanding.
A Brief Overview
Fluorescent Bulbs aren't just 1 type of light as you might think, they're actually a family of light sources. This family includes; Cold Cathode, Hot Cathode & Electroluminescent but Electroluminescent is less related to fluorescence than the other two. Fluorescent bulbs are used primarily as lights.
How Do They Work?
Both types of Fluorescent light work by ionizing mercury vapour in the tube. The evaporation causes the electrons in the vapour to emit photons that exist on UV Frequencies. Because we can't see on UV levels, there is a phosphor based coating inside of the tube that holds the vapour.
Hot Cathode
When you turn the light on an AC current of 216V that passes through the Hot Cathode Tube. The lamps tube has electrodes on each end, the power passes from on electrode to the other creating an arc. The power passed through hits a "choke" that prevents the tube from short circuiting.
Cold Cathode
The only difference between Hot Cathode & Cold Cathode is that Cold Cathode tubes have a coating on the inside that creates free electrons, this is because colder gases have higher resistance.
Early Cold Cathode Tubes weren't used as light but rather, counting, voltage regulation, radio detection and more, now however Cold Cathode Tubes have gone on to light being their main use.
Who Uses Fluorescent Light Bulbs?
The most common places that use fluorescent lighting is Office Buildings & Schools. However any large building would most likely be utilizing fluorescent light.
Why?
Although at first glance a fluorescent bulb is more expensive, in the long term they are cheaper because of how energy efficient they are. On top of this they illuminate a larger area because the individual bulbs are larger than a regular bulb requiring you to buy less bulbs.
History of the Appliance
The Fluorescent lamp wasn't a single persons creation, rather many individuals ideas that were constantly improved upon. The history of the Fluorescent Lamp dates all the way back to 1856.
History of the Appliance
Heinrich Geissler was the first to study the arc tube in 1856. He was the inventor of the Geissler Tube. This invention helped later scientists in the creation of the Fluorescent Lamp.
History of the Appliance
In 1934 George Inman & Richard Thayer led by William L. Enfield created the first fluorescent lamp, it was 10 inches long and utilized zinc silicate phosphor to spark the arc in the tube.
Cost
The cost of a single fluorescent light bulb is around $11.00 but the price varies from store to store. Compare that to the price of a single regular bulb (ยข75) the price differential is huge.
Pros
- Energy Efficient.
- Low cost of production.
- Long tube life.
- Diffused Light for the best general lighting.
Cons
- Fluorescent Bulbs emit a constant flicker, this can be irritating.
- Diffused light, meaning it is not good for focus light only area lighting.
- Mercury in the ballasts.
- Poorly made ballasts can create a frequency that disturbs others electronics.