In this article we shall explore the concept of fluorescent light bulbs, formally known as compact fluorescent bulbs, the workings of fluorescent bulbs, the differences between compact fluorescent bulbs and conventional incandescent bulbs and also cover the never ending debate regarding the pros and cons of compact fluorescent bulbs versus the pros and cons of the conventional incandescent light bulbs.
To begin with, let us discuss the structure and functioning of incandescent light bulbs. As the concept of incandescent bulbs has been around longer and they have been in use for far more time as compared to the relatively newer compact fluorescent bulbs, incandescent bulbs are often referred to as "normal light bulbs" in layman's terms.
Incandescent light bulbs have an extremely thin filament constructed out of tungsten. The filament is encased inside a glass sphere. The incandescent bulbs vary according to the power consumption and energy output and come with different levels such as "75 watt" and "100 watt" and so on and so forth.
The conventional incandescent light bulbs function on a relatively simple principle. Electricity is conducted through the filament. As the filament is extremely thin it offers substantial levels of resistance to the electric current.
Due to this resistance, the electrical energy gets converted to heat. This heat energy is extremely powerful and it turns the filament "white hot". It is this "white hot" energy which is released as white light. Due to the excess heat, the filament begins to glow and this lends the characteristic of incandescence to the light bulb, hence the moniker incandescent light bulbs.
Incandescent light bulbs have one major disadvantage which is that the heat energy results in a lot of wastage of electrical energy. It is in contrast to this principle that compact fluorescent bulbs function. Compact fluorescent bulbs contain a fluorescent tube which has electrodes attached to both its ends. The tube contains a gas comprising argon and mercury vapor. The gaseous mixture allows for a steady flow of electrons from one electrode to another. This flow of electrons upon coming into contact with the atoms of mercury lends energy to them and this results in the mercury atoms getting excited. Upon vibrating between states of inertia to a state of excitement, the mercury atoms release ultraviolet photons. The ultraviolet photons come into contact with the coating of phosphor. This creates the visible light. Compact fluorescent bulbs are far more efficient and effective because they produce far less heat. Compact fluorescent bulbs are recorded to be four to six times more efficient than incandescent light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs have a higher lifespan as compared to incandescent light bulbs. They have a lifespan which ranges from 6,000 to 15,000 hours. This presents a definite contrast to the 750 hours to 1,000 hours that make up the life span of an incandescent bulb. Compact fluorescent bulbs are also more energy efficient than incandescent light bulbs. The energy utilized by compact fluorescent bulbs is lesser by one fifth to one third of the amount used in incandescent light bulbs.
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Tom Dahne
Learn about lighting, lights and how to light your home inside and out, just visit http://www.guideforlighting.com and http://www.linkdirectory.com
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