As the design of CFLs hints, they simply made a more compact version of the fluorescent tube, and wrapped it around itself in a bulb-like shape so that the two electrodes now rest beside each other, but still create enough current to energize the gas. The lighting industry solved this problem by adopting CFLs, or fluorescent bulbs shaped like incandescent bulbs that could be screwed into incandescent sockets. Instead, homes have a lot of sockets designed for screw-in incandescent bulbs, posing a problem to fluorescent conversion. The tube design of older fluorescent bulbs doesn’t really have a place in residential buildings, which is why you typically only see them in garages, closets, and inconspicuous spaces. CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lights) via: PickPic But when that started to happen, a new version of the fluorescent bulb was needed. It’s not the friendliest-looking light, which is why people were hesitant to start using fluorescents in their homes. Yes, that’s all a bit complicated, but the results are clear: A reliable source of light that excels at lighting large areas and is about five times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. This happens many times a second as the current of electricity is cycled on and off, so it looks like a permanent glow to our eyes (hey, that’s a lot like how video fps works!) until the bulb wears down or breaks, which causes that telltale “flicker” of fluorescent tubes. Phosphor emits visible light when energized, so when the electrons pass their energy into the phosphor coating, it glows, producing the cool white light we see. These electrons are in the ultraviolet spectrum so humans can’t see them, but that’s why fluorescent bulbs are coated with phosphor on the inside. This energizes the gas mixture inside and causes it to produce lots of excess electrons. A device called a ballast allows an electrical current to flow through the bulb from electrode to electrode in very short, very fast cycles. ![]() ![]() The combination is very sensitive to an electrical current.Īt either end of the fluorescent bulb is an electrode. That fluorescent tube you see is actually filled with a low-pressure, inert gas, typically argon, and a small bit of vaporized mercury (that mercury is why people are warned against approaching shattered fluorescent tubes for a while). But those tubes are actually very good at what they do - offering low-cost lighting with bulbs you don’t have to think about for at least several years. Fluorescent tubes via: Martine Laine/Flickrįluorescent tubes have a somewhat infamous reputation for providing the cold, unflattering lighting in school hallways and warehouses. That’s why you won’t find any smart bulbs that offer incandescent options, and why homeowners are incentivized to move away from incandescents and toward other lighting options. It also means the bulbs don’t last very long, usually a year or two at most, before they need to be replaced. A lot of the electrical current is also expelled as heat, which makes incandescent lights hot and inefficient, wasting a lot of power that other bulbs can use - which means they cause higher energy bills. However, this approach also has its downsides. This is also where we get the idea that more wattage (the power of the current) equals a brighter light, although this is only technically true for incandescent bulbs. The filament has the right kind of electrical resistance to impede that current, which means some of the energy releases and shows up as light. ![]() These bulbs use a filament, through which an electrical current is run. Incandescent bulbs are the traditional option, the first type of light bulb invented and famous for their warm color. We’re answering all these questions with a complete guide on every type of residential light bulb you can buy, including what you should know about energy requirements and if it’s a good idea to buy.
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