Unfortunately color meters available to cinematographers are far from being scientifically accurate when reading fluorescents. They act as a great comparative tool to determine differences between two given light sources but are inadequate in providing definitive data. You will rarely find two color meters, even if they are the same make and model, that provide equal data. Results between meters may be similar but not identical.

Color temperature depends upon the phosphor used to manufacture the lamps. The most common industry lamp phosphors produce the following color temperatures.

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).

The FHWA has approved fluorescent yellow-green for pedestrian, school, and bike warning signs. They have more visibility, especially at night. Some towns, such as Peabody MA, use them for much more than just pedestrian, school, and bike warning signs; this overuse may lead to people getting used to them. See also the MUTCD at http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/HTM/2003r1/part1/part1a.htm#section1A12 , and http://www.trafficsign.us/signcolor.html .

In a fixture with restricted air flow, lamps can heat up and exceed the temperature operating range for good color. Lamps should never be fully enclosed with gel or diffusion. As the temperature of a lamp increases, so does the mercury pressure in the lamp. This increased mercury pressure appears as a blue green light. The higher the temperature the bluer and greener a lamp will appear.

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.

Your meters usually are read about the same time each month. You can contact PNM Customer Care to obtain a meter reading schedule.

Yes. Reading a meter is easy to do once you learn how to do so. It also can help you better understand how you're being charged for your energy use.

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.

Each city, county, and property is different. There are many ways in which meters can be read. The following are some examples: Manual Meter Reading System: a meter reader will walk up to your meter or remote counter and read it. Automated Meter Reading System: generally the meter is inside a dwelling or enclosed area that is not accessible. The meter is wired to Meter Counter Modules (MCM) located in the maintenance room of your building.

Regular incandescent lamps produce light by passing an electric current through a filament in a vacuum or gas filled bulb. They provide low initial cost, good color rendition and excellent optical control. Halogen lamps also use a filament; but since it is sealed in a pressurized capsule containing halogen gas , the lamp provides brighter, whiter light and improved energy efficiency.

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.

The lamps are rated for 30,000 hours, but dimming the lamps shortens life. Color temperature remains relatively consistent for 10,000 hours. Astron recommends you change all lamps once every two years, at a total cost to user of about $450.00.

A - Yes, fluorescent lamps do flicker, but the newer technologies that utilize electronic ballasts operate at levels where the flicker is beyond human perception. The older magnetic ballasts operate on 60 cycles per second (60 Hz), and the lamps actually flicker on and off 120 times per second. Many people feel they can see them flicker, especially in presence of computer or TV displays.

Compact fluorescent lamps, also known as CFLs, are a type of fluorescent lighting; fluorescent lighting has been around since the 1940s. Tube-shaped “linear fluorescent” lamps have long been popular in business and commercial settings, as well as for household uses such as in garages, kitchens, and recreation rooms. Smaller, compact versions of fluorescent lamps, CFLs, first appeared in the 1980s.

Yes, all meters are read every month. When our meter readers used to read with books and pencils, they were able to do "bar stool" readings (not all did!). That was sitting in a restaurant somewhere and making up readings for customers based on their past usage. With their new hand held computer units it is impossible for them to guess at what the meter reading is.