The limit is dependent upon the diameter of the lamp and the availability of an inverter to properly drive the lamp. Typically, the ranges of straight lamp lengths are from 25mm to 450mm long. Longer lengths are available in non-straight, such as U-shape or M-shape, configurations.

When a 2.6mm diameter CCFL is operated at the specified drive current of 6mArms, the ends near the electrodes will be approximately 50° C above the ambient temperature. The body will be approximately 25° to 30° C above ambient.

Any method that does not put stress on the glass envelope and/or the lead-to-glass seal on the lamp end is acceptable. Most common methods are to solder the leads (with a strain relief bend) directly into a PC board, or to secure the lamp ends with a custom silicon end cap.

The wire must have an insulation specified at, or above, the electrical characteristics of the lamp. Typically, small gauge 22 - 26 AWG wire is acceptable.

Yes. However, the lower the temperature, the lower the light output and the higher the required starting voltage. We recommend using lamp heaters in cold ambient conditions.

Typically, 5,000 to 30,000 hours is achievable when the lamp is operated within specification parameters. Lamp life is stated as the point at when the lamp provides less than 50% of its initial output.

Safety agency approvals have not been sought by LCD Lighting. Most companies obtain their own agency approval at the system level.

Using the same drive current, the surface intensity of the smaller diameter lamp will be greater. Longer lamp lengths of the same diameter, however, have greater total light output.

A high efficiency lamp utilizing an electric discharge through low pressure mercury vapor to produce ultra-violet (UV) energy. The UV excites phosphor materials applied as a thin layer on the inside of a glass tube which makes up the structure of the lamp. The phosphors transform the UV to visible lights.

Yes, only if the fluorescent light is using a dimmable ballast. Any time a dimmable ballast is used, a compatible dimming switch needs to be installed. The ballast manufacturer can provide a list of compatible switches.

Please refer to our state disposal policies page. In most states, fluorescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs used at home can be disposed of in the same way as regular light bulbs. While all fluorescent bulbs contain a trace amount of mercury, the quantity is so minute that household disposal is not regulated by federal standards (established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency).

Ballasts are used to regulate the current in the lamp. Current needs to be regulated in order to supply the right amount of power needed to make the arc, and thus the light, in a fluorescent lamp. Fortunately, the current is lower than that needed for a typical incandescent. This is the reason why the fluorescent lamps can provide the same light output for less energy than typical incandescents.

The primary difference is in size and application. Compact fluorescent bulbs are made in special shapes (which require special technologies) to fit in standard household light sockets, like table lamps and ceiling fixtures. In addition, most compact fluorescent lamps have integral ballast that is built into the base of the light bulb, whereas linear fluorescent tubes require a separate ballast independent of the bulb. Both types offer energy-efficient light.

GE does make CFL bulbs for use in 3-way lamps. Check the package for this application. If a regular CFL is use in a 3-way switch, it will work on the middle (medium) setting and it should not damage the bulb. The 3-way switch does not alter the performance of the bulb.

Audible noise from a fluorescent light is likely due to a loose or faulty ballast. The ballast is an electrical device inside the lighting fixture that supplies the proper starting and operating power to the lamp. Sometimes, changing a lamp loosens the ballast mounting or other parts of the fixture and the slight vibration from the ballast during normal operation causes a buzzing or hum. The volume of the sound may change - louder or softer - as the fixture warms up.

About 90% of all energy emitted by tungsten filaments (including those in halogen lamps) is infrared, or radiant heat. The way to decrease heat from your fixtures is to use lower wattage lamps, or to use compact fluorescent bulbs. The common types and colors of fluorescent lamps radiate an estimated 30% of their energy in the infrared range -"principally far infrared (wavelengths beyond 5000 nm)".

A fluorescent lamp ballast is an electrical transformer. Fluorescent lamps require different voltages at different places in the lamp in a standard rapid start system. There are small filaments at the end of the lamp that require low voltage (approx. 4 volts) to aid in starting the lamp, this is called cathode voltage. The lamp also requires a higher voltage (200 volts or higher depending on lamp type) from end to end on the lamp to operate, this is called arc voltage.

The LUME' ® lamp is patented for it's unique bonding abilities. It's even bonding is done by microwatts per centimeter reading of 2,500 in the corner and 2,700 in the center. Where as Salon brands vary from 1,000 in the corners to 2,700 in the center. So no matter where you fingers are on the lamp shelf, you attain an even bond.

Yes. Occasionally a customer finds that the standard 5C Dead-Length Collet does not allow them to hold their parts to the print's concentricity requirements. A Dead-Length Collet does not run as concentric as a hardened and ground collet even though it may be bored in place. This is because of the allowances between the moving parts. A Dead-Length Spider Step Chuck is identical to a standard collet, there is only one moving part - the step chuck.

There is no danger in doing this, but you will get light only in the middle one of the three "on" positions.

Lamp manufacturers generally strive to minimize ultraviolet light (UV) radiation in all lamps used in general lighting applications. The amount of UV produced by standard fluorescent lamps, such as those in your office, home, or school, is not hazardous and does not pose a major health concern. In fact, a paper by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) explores this subject in more detail.

Only Litetronics lamps have a patented cooling tower. This circulates heated air away from the lamp, ballast, and fixture which reduces the likelihood of lamp failure due to heat fatigue.

The main difference between cold cathode and what we know as traditional compact fluorescent lighting (or “hot cathode”) is that hot cathode fluorescent lamps require large amounts of electric current that pushed through a thin tungsten wire filament, superheating it. Because of this, the filament is fragile, easily destroyed by vibration, and has a shorter life.

The white powder that you see inside a fluorescent lamp is called phosphor, which is a substance that emits visible light whenever it absorbs ultra violet energy waves. The phosphor used in all fluorescent lamps is what determines both the color and the CRI.

the present time, Litetronics does not offer a standard compact fluorescent lamp that is dimmable. However, our Micro-Brite line of cold cathode fluorescent lamps features several dimmable models.

Most standard lamps are designated in the following format F32T8 35K. The F meaning that the lamp is fluorescent, the 32 is the lamp wattage, the T designates the shape of the lamp (T = tubular), the 8 is the diameter of the lamp in 1/8 of an inch. A T8 lamp has an 8/8 diameter or one inch diameter. A T12 lamp has a 12/8 diameter or 1-1/2 inches. The last designation is the color of the light the lamp emits in this case 3500 degrees Kelvin.

Yes! Although current is low, the inverter output can exceed 1000 volts. Proper precautions should be observed when operating these lamps. The lamp/inverter combine to produce some RF emission. It may be necessary to shield the inverter after determining the results of system testing. For questions concerning HCFLs and CCFLs, please contact Rich Webster at (203) 795-1520 x-3163 or rwebster@LCDL.com

Both regular incandescent bulbs and halogen bulbs create light by heating a tungsten filament. Usually, the bulb burns out when the filament is fully depleted. The filament on a regular incandescent bulb burns out over time because the tungsten on the filament evaporates and is redeposited on the bulb's glass. (Those tungsten deposits are the reason bulbs often appear darker when they burn out.

The germicidal wavelength is short. Wavelengths shorter than 300nm are generally most effective for killing bacteria. The peak emission of the GE Germicidal lamps is 254 nm.