Since their introduction as a commercial product in 1939, many different types of fluorescent lamp have been introduced. Systematic nomenclature identifies mass-market lamps as to overall shape, power rating, length, color, and other electrical and illuminating characteristics.
In the United States and Canada, lamps are typically identified by a code such as FxxTyy, where F is for fluorescent, and the first number (xx) indicates either the power in watts for bi-pin lamps, length in inches for single-pin and high-output lamps, and for circular bulbs, the diameter of the circular bulb. The T indicates that the shape of the bulb is tubular, and the last number (yy) is the diameter in eighths of an inch (sometimes in millimeters, rounded up to the nearest millimeter). Typical diameters are T12 or T38 (1+1⁄2 in or 38 mm) for larger, often less efficient lamps, T8 or T26 (1 in or 25 mm) for smaller and often energy-saving lamps, and T5 or T16 (5⁄8 in or 16 mm) for very small lamps, which may even operate from a battery-powered device.
| Designation | Tube diameter | Extra | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in) | (mm) | Socket | Notes | ||
| T2 | 1⁄4 approx. | 7 | WP4.5×8.5d | ||
| T4 | 1⁄2 | 12.7 | G5 bi-pin | Slim lamps. Power ratings and lengths not standardized (and not the same) between different manufacturers | |
| T5 | T16 | 5⁄8 | 15.9 |
|
|
| T6 | 3⁄4 | 19.05 |
|
| |
| T8 | T26 | 1 | 25.4 |
| One of the first diameters of fluorescent lamps, with the 15W T8 and 30W T8 having been introduced in 1938. [3] The European energy-saving krypton T8 lamps were introduced by Thorn EMI during the 1970s. [4] The North American energy-saving argon T8 lamps weren't introduced until the 1980s. [5] |
| T9 | T29 | 1+1⁄8 | 28.6 |
|
|
| T10 | 1+1⁄4 | 31.75 |
|
| |
| T12 | T38 | 1+1⁄2 | 38.1 |
| One of the first diameters of fluorescent lamps, with the 15W T12 and 20W T12 having been introduced in 1938. These aren't as efficient as newer lamp options. [6] |
| T17 | 2+1⁄8 | 54 | G20 Mogul bi-pin | Large size for 90W T17 (preheat) and 40W T17 (instant start) | |
| PG17 | 2+1⁄8 | 54 | R17d Recessed double contact | General Electric's Power Groove tubes | |
For T2–T12 and T17, the number indicates the tube diameter in 1⁄8 inches, e.g. T2 → 2⁄8 in and T17 → 17⁄8 in. Whereas for T16 and T26–T38, the number indicates the approximate tube diameter in millimeters.
Some lamps have an internal opaque reflector. Coverage of the reflector ranges from 120° to 310° of the lamp's circumference.
Reflector lamps are used when light is only desired to be emitted in a single direction, or when an application requires the maximum amount of light. For example, these lamps can be used in tanning beds or in backlighting electronic displays. An internal reflector is more efficient than standard external reflectors. Another example is color matched aperture lights (with about 30° of opening) used in the food industry for robotic quality control inspection of cooked goods.
Aperture lamps have a clear break in the phosphor coating, typically of 30°, to concentrate light in one direction and provide higher brightness in the beam than can be achieved by uniform phosphor coatings. Aperture lamps include reflectors over the non-aperture area. Aperture lamps were commonly used in photocopiers in the 1960s and 1970s where a bank of fixed tubes was arranged to light up the image to be copied, but are rarely found nowadays. Aperture lamps can produce a concentrated beam of light suitable for edge-lit signs.
Single-pin lamps (Also generically called "Slimline" in the United States) operate on an instant start ballast in the United States and Canada or on a series choke without a starter in 220-240V countries.
High-output lamps are brighter and are driven at a higher electric current. They have a recessed double contact (R17d) base on each end, rather than a standard bi-pin base, which prevents them from being installed into the wrong fixture. Since about the early to mid-1950s to today, General Electric has developed and improved the Power Groove lamp. These lamps are recognizable by their large diameter (2+1⁄8 in or 54 mm) and grooved tube shape.
Colors using a halophosphate formulation are usually indicated by WW for warm white, W for (neutral) white, CW for cool white, and D for the bluish daylight white.
Philips and Osram use numeric color codes for tri-phosphor and multi-phosphor colors. The first digit indicates the color rendering index (CRI) of the lamp. If the first digit on a lamp says 8, then the CRI of that lamp will be approximately 85. The last two digits indicate the color temperature of the lamp in kelvins (K). For example, if the last two digits on a lamp say 41, that lamp's color temperature will be 4100 K, which is a common tri-phosphor cool white fluorescent lamp.
BL is used for ultraviolet lamps commonly used in bug zappers. BLB is used for blacklight-blue lamps employing a Wood's glass envelope to filter out most visible light, commonly used in nightclubs. Other non-standard designations apply for plant lights or grow lights.
| Halophosphate tubes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese color code | Numeric color code | Alphabetic color code | Color | Approximate CRI | Color temperature (K) |
| N/A | 29 | WW | Warm white | ≈52 | 3000 |
| WW | 35 | W | White | ≈56 | 3500 |
| W | 33 | CW | Cool White | ≈62 | 4000-4300 |
| N/A | 25 | N/A | Neutral/Universal White | ≈75 | 4000 |
| N | N/A | N/A | Natural Daylight | ≈70 | 5000 |
| D | 54 | D | Daylight | ≈75 | 6500 |
| Deluxe halophosphate tubes | |||||
| Japanese color code | Numeric color code | Alphabetic color code | Color | Approximate CRI | Color temperature (K) |
| L-EDL | 27 | N/A | Deluxe Extra Warm White | ≈95 | 2700 |
| N/A | N/A | SW | GE Soft White (Lower-CRI WWX) | ≈77 | 3000 |
| N/A | 32 | WWX | Deluxe Warm White | ≈87 | 3000 |
| N/A | N/A | WX | Sylvania White Deluxe | ≈85 | 3500 |
| N/A | 79 | N | Natural | ≈90 | 3600 |
| N/A | 34 | N/A | Deluxe White | ≈85 | 3850 |
| W-SDL | 38 | CWX | Deluxe Cool White/Kolor-rite | ≈90 | 4000 |
| N/A | N/A | C41 | GE Cool White Utility (Enhanced CWX) | ≈87 | 4100 |
| N-SDL, N-EDL | N/A | C50/DSGN50 | GE Chroma 50/Philips Colortone 50/Sylvania Design 50 | ≈90-99 | 5000 |
| D-SDL, D-EDL | 55 | DX | Deluxe Daylight/Northlight/Colour Matching | ≈88-98 | 6500 |
| N/A | N/A | C75 | GE Chroma 75/Philips Colortone 75 | ≈92 | 7500 |
| 700-series tubes (Calcium halophosphate and rare-earths tri-phosphor blend) | |||||
| Numeric color code | Alphanumeric color code | Color | Approximate CRI | Color temperature (K) | |
| 730 | SP30/D30/TL730 | Warm White | ≈75 | 3000 | |
| 735 | SP35/D35/TL735 | Neutral White | ≈75 | 3500 | |
| 741 | SP41/D41/TL741 | Cool White | ≈75 | 4100 | |
| 750 | SP50/TL750 | Natural Daylight | ≈75 | 5000 | |
| 765 | SP65/TL765 | Cool Daylight | ≈75 | 6500 | |
| 800-series tri-phosphor tubes | |||||
| Japanese Color Code | Numeric color code | Color | Approximate CRI | Color temperature (K) | |
| ELX | 825 | Sunset White | ≈85 | 2500 | |
| ELR, ELC | 827, 828 | Extra Warm white | ≈85 | 2700, 2800 | |
| EX-L, EL, ELK | 830 | Warm White | ≈85 | 3000 | |
| ELW | 832 | Warm White | ≈85 | 3200 | |
| EX-WW, EWW | 835 | Neutral White | ≈85 | 3500 | |
| EW38 | 838 | Neutral White | ≈85 | 3800 | |
| EX-W, EW | 840, 841, 842 | Cool White | ≈85 | 4000, 4100, 4200 | |
| EX-N, EN | 850 | Natural Daylight | ≈85 | 5000 | |
| ENW, ENM, ENC | 852, 853 | Natural Daylight | ≈85 | 5200, 5300 | |
| ENK | 855 | Natural Daylight | ≈85 | 5500 | |
| ENX | 858 | Natural Daylight | ≈85 | 5800 | |
| EDW | 862 | Cool Daylight | ≈85 | 6200 | |
| EX-D, ED | 865, 867 | Cool Daylight | ≈85 | 6500, 6700 | |
| ECW, EDK, EDC | 872, 874 | Cool Daylight | ≈85 | 7200, 7400 | |
| EDF, EDX | 880 | Skywhite | ≈85 | 8000 | |
| Deluxe rare-earths tri-phosphor tubes | |||||
| Numeric color code | Color | Approximate CRI | Color temperature (K) | ||
| 930 | Warm white | ≈95 | 3000 | ||
| 941 | Cool white | ≈95 | 4100 | ||
| 950 | Natural Daylight | ≈98 | 5000 | ||
| 965 | Cool daylight | ≈95 | 6500 | ||
| Special purpose tubes | |||||
| Numeric code | Alphabetic Code | Fluorescent lamp type | Notes | ||
| 05 | N/A | Germicidal lamps | No phosphors used in these lamps at all, and the enveplope is made of fused quartz instead of glass. In the American lamp code, the F as in FxxTyy is replaced by a G as in GxxTyy, indicating that it's a germicidal lamp. | ||
| 08 | BLB | Black-Light Blue lamps | These lamps are similar to the regular black light lamps, except they use wood's glass as a filter to reduce the amount of visible light emitted. These lamps are used for fluorescence effects where less visible light is ideal. | ||
| 09 | N/A | Sun-tanning lamps | These lamps produce wide or narrow band UV-B radiation | ||
| 10 | BL | Black-Light lamps | Black light lamps give off long-wave UV-A radiation of around 350-400 nm. They are often used to attract insects to traps. Unlike black light blue lamps, these lamps do not use wood's glass. They use regular soda-lime glass and emit more visible light than BLB lamps. | ||
This section lists the more common tube ratings for general lighting. Many more tube ratings exist, often country-specific. The Nominal Length may not exactly match any measured dimension of the tube. For some tube sizes, the nominal length (in feet) is the required spacing between centers of the lighting fixtures to create a continuous run, so the tubes are a little shorter than the nominal length.
| Tube diameter in 1⁄8 in (3.175 mm) | Nominal length | Nominal power (W) | Lamp Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| T5 Miniature | 6 in (152 mm) | 4 | F4T5 |
| T5 Miniature | 9 in (229 mm) | 6 | F6T5 |
| T5 Miniature | 12 in (305 mm) | 8 | F8T5 |
| T5 Miniature | 21 in (533 mm) | 13 | F13T5 |
| T5/HE | 22 in (560 mm) | 14 | F14T5 |
| T5/HE | 34 in (860 mm) | 21 | F21T5 |
| T5/HE | 46 in (1,200 mm) | 28 | F28T5 |
| T5/HE | 58 in (1,500 mm) | 35 | F35T5 |
| T5/HO | 22 in (560 mm) | 24 | F24T5/HO |
| T5/HO | 34 in (860 mm) | 39 | F39T5/HO |
| T5/HO | 46 in (1,200 mm) | 54 | F54T5/HO |
| T5/HO | 58 in (1,500 mm) | 80 | F80T5/HO |
| T8 | 15 in (381 mm) | 14 | F14T8 |
| T8 | 18 in (460 mm) | 15 | F15T8 |
| T8 | 2 ft (610 mm) | 17 | F17T8 |
| T8 | 2 ft (610 mm) | 18 | N/A |
| T8 | 3 ft (914 mm) | 25 | F25T8 |
| T8 | 3 ft (914 mm) | 30 | F30T8 |
| T8 | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 32 | F32T8 |
| T8 | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 36 | N/A |
| T8 | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 40 | F40T8 |
| T8 | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 58 | N/A |
| T8 | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 70 | N/A |
| T8 single-pin | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 38 | F72T8 |
| T8 single-pin | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 51 | F96T8 |
| T8 single-pin | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 59 | F96T8 |
| T8/HO | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 44 | F48T8/HO |
| T8/HO | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 55 | F60T8/HO |
| T8/HO | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 65 | F72T8/HO |
| T8/HO | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 86 | F96T8/HO |
| T12 | 15 in (381 mm) | 14 | F14T12 |
| T12 | 18 in (457 mm) | 15 | F15T12 |
| T12 | 2 ft (610 mm) | 20 | F20T12 |
| T12 | 3 ft (914 mm) | 30 | F30T12 |
| T12 | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 40 | F40T12 |
| T12 | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 65 | N/A |
| T12 | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 80 | N/A |
| T12 | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 75 | N/A |
| T12 | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 85 | N/A |
| T12 | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 125 | N/A |
| T12 single-pin | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 39 | F48T12 |
| T12 single-pin | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 55 | F72T12 |
| T12 single-pin | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 75 | F96T12 |
| T12/HO | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 60 | F48T12/HO |
| T12/HO | 5 ft (1,524 mm) | 75 | F60T12/HO |
| T12/HO | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 85 | F72T12/HO |
| T12/HO | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 110 | F96T12/HO |
| T12/VHO | 4 ft (1,219 mm) | 115 | F48T12/VHO |
| T12/VHO | 6 ft (1,829 mm) | 160 | F72T12/VHO |
| T12/VHO | 8 ft (2,438 mm) | 215 | F96T12/VHO |
In the 1970s, Thorn Lighting introduced an energy-saving 8 ft retrofit tube in Europe. Designed to run on the existing 125 W (240 V) series ballast but with a different gas fill and operating voltage, the tube operated at only 100 W. Increased efficiency meant that the tube produced only 9% lumen reduction for a 20% power reduction. [7] This first energy-saving tube design remains a T12 tube even today. However, follow-on retrofit replacements for all the other original T12 tubes were T8, which helped with creating the required electrical characteristics and saving on the then new (and more expensive) polyphosphor/triphosphor coatings, and these were even more efficient. Note that because these tubes were all designed as retrofit tubes to be fitted in T12 fittings running on series ballasts on 220–240 V supplies, they could not be used in 120 V mains countries with inherently different control gear designs.
| Type | Diameter (in, mm) | Nominal length (ft, m) | Nominal power (W) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 2, 0.6 | 18 | Retrofit replacement for 2 ft T12 20 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 4, 1.2 | 36 | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T12 40 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 5, 1.5 | 58 | Retrofit replacement for 5 ft T12 65 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 6, 1.8 | 70 | Retrofit replacement for 6 ft T12 75 W |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 8, 2.4 | 100 | Retrofit replacement for 8 ft T12 125 W |
Around 1980 (in the UK, at least), some new fluorescent fittings were designed to take only the newer, retrofit tubes (the lamp holders are designed not to take T12 tubes, except for 8 ft length). The earlier T12 halophosphate tubes still remained available as spares until 2012. They fit in older fittings and some modern fittings that employ twist lock lamp holders, even though the modern fittings were not electrically designed for them.
In the 1970s, 34-watt energy-saving F40T12 fluorescent lamps were intoroduced in the United States. In the 1980s, T8 32-watt lamps were introduced, [8] but unlike the T8 tubes introduced in Europe, these T8s are not retrofits and require new matching ballasts to drive them. These ballasts were originally magnetic, but most today are electronic. The energy-saving T12 lamps are made to operate on ballasts designed for 40-watt F40T12 lamps, though some F40T12 ballasts are not be designed to operate these lamps, and can overheat if energy-saving lamps are used. Running an energy-saving T8 tube with a ballast for T12 will reduce lamp life and can increase energy consumption. [9] Conversely, a T12 tube on a T8 ballast will usually draw too much power and so may burn out the ballast, unless it is within the range that particular ballast can compensate for. The tube type should always match the markings on the light fixture.
| Type | Diameter (in, mm) | Nominal length (ft) | Nominal power (W) | Lamp Code | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T5 | 0.625, 16 | 4 | 49 | F49T5 | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T5HO 54 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 4 | 25 | F32T8/25w | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T8 32 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 4 | 28 | F28T8 F32T8/28w | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T8 32 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 4 | 30 | F32T8/ES | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T8 32 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 2 | 17 | F17T8 | Ballast-swap replacement for 2 ft T12 20 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 3 | 25 | F25T8 | Ballast-swap replacement for 3 ft T12 30 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 4 | 32 | F32T8 | Ballast-swap replacement for 4 ft T12 40 W |
| T8 | 1.0, 25 | 8 | 59 | F96T8 | Ballast-swap replacement for 8 ft T12 75 W single-pin |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 4 | "25" | F40UTSL | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T12 40 W on underpowered residential-grade rapid start magnetic ballasts. These are F40CW lamps made with lighter cathodes that can only handle a lower amount of power. They will function as a standard 40 W lamp on full-power ballasts, but may not last as long. These lamps are typically rated to last for 12,000 hours on a residential-grade ballast and only 6000 hours on a commercial-grade one. |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 4 | 32 | F40T12/ESP | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T12 40 W |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 4 | 34 | F34T12 F40T12/ES | Retrofit replacement for 4 ft T12 40 W |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 8 | 60 | F96T12/ES | Retrofit replacement for 8 ft T12 75 W single-pin |
| T12 | 1.5, 38 | 8 | 95 | F96T12/HO/ES | Retrofit replacement for 8 ft T12 110 W high-output |
In the 1990s, longer T5 tubes were designed in Europe (making it to North America in the 2000s), in addition to the shorter ones (mentioned above) already in use worldwide. Like the European modular furniture, display cabinets, ceiling tile grids, etc. they were designed for, these are based on multiples of the 300 mm (11.8 in) "metric foot" instead of the 12 in (305 mm) imperial foot, but are all 37 mm (1.5 in) shorter to allow space for the lampholder connections within the 300 mm modular units, and for much easier insertion into and removal from troffer lights within a grid.
| Tube diameter is 5⁄8 in (15.875 mm) | Length | Nominal power (W) | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-efficiency | High-output | |||
| T5 | 563 mm (22.2 in) | 14 | 24 | Fits within a 0.6 m modular unit |
| T5 | 863 mm (34.0 in) | 21 | 39 | Fits within a 0.9 m modular unit |
| T5 | 1,163 mm (45.8 in) | 28 | 54 | Fits within a 1.2 m modular unit |
| T5 | 1,463 mm (57.6 in) | 35 | 80 | Fits within a 1.5 m modular unit |
The T5 diameter is nearly 40% smaller than T8 lamps and almost 60% smaller than T12 lamps. T5 lamps have a G5 base (bi-pin with 5 mm spacing), even for high-output (HO and VHO) tubes. [10]
A halogen lamp is an incandescent lamp consisting of a tungsten filament sealed in a compact transparent envelope that is filled with a mixture of an inert gas and a small amount of a halogen, such as iodine or bromine. The combination of the halogen gas and the tungsten filament produces a halogen-cycle chemical reaction, which redeposits evaporated tungsten on the filament, increasing its life and maintaining the clarity of the envelope. This allows the filament to operate at a higher temperature than a standard incandescent lamp of similar power and operating life; this also produces light with higher luminous efficacy and color temperature. The small size of halogen lamps permits their use in compact optical systems for projectors and illumination. The small glass envelope may be enclosed in a much larger outer glass bulb, which has a lower temperature, protects the inner bulb from contamination, and makes the bulb mechanically more similar to a conventional lamp.
Artificial lighting technology began to be developed tens of thousands of years ago and continues to be refined in the present day.
A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp to glow. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical energy into useful light much more efficiently than an incandescent lamp, but is less efficient than most LED lamps. The typical luminous efficacy of fluorescent lighting systems is 50–100 lumens per watt, several times the efficacy of incandescent bulbs with comparable light output. For comparison, the luminous efficiency of an incandescent bulb may only be 16 lumens per watt.
In the signage industry, neon signs are electric signs lighted by long luminous gas-discharge tubes that contain rarefied neon or other gases. They are the most common use for neon lighting, which was first demonstrated in a modern form in December 1910 by Georges Claude at the Paris Motor Show. While they are used worldwide, neon signs were popular in the United States from about the 1920s to 1950s. The installations in Times Square, many originally designed by Douglas Leigh, were famed, and there were nearly 2,000 small shops producing neon signs by 1940. In addition to signage, neon lighting is used frequently by artists and architects, and in plasma display panels and televisions. The signage industry has declined in the past several decades, and cities are now concerned with preserving and restoring their antique neon signs.
A mercury-vapor lamp is a gas-discharge lamp that uses an electric arc through vaporized mercury to produce light. The arc discharge is generally confined to a small fused quartz arc tube mounted within a larger soda lime or borosilicate glass bulb. The outer bulb may be clear or coated with a phosphor; in either case, the outer bulb provides thermal insulation, protection from the ultraviolet radiation the light produces, and a convenient mounting for the fused quartz arc tube.
A compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent light bulb; some types fit into light fixtures designed for incandescent bulbs. The lamps use a tube that is curved or folded to fit into the space of an incandescent bulb, and a compact electronic ballast in the base of the lamp.
Ellipsoidal reflector spot is the name for a type of stage lighting instrument, named for the ellipsoidal reflector used to collect and direct the light through a barrel that contains a lens or lens train. The optics of an ERS instrument are roughly similar to those of a 35 mm slide projector.
An electrical ballast is a device placed in series with a load to limit the amount of current in an electrical circuit.
A light fixture, light fitting, or luminaire is an electrical lighting device containing one or more light sources, such as lamps, and all the accessory components required for its operation to provide illumination to the environment. All light fixtures have a fixture body and one or more lamps. The lamps may be in sockets for easy replacement—or, in the case of some LED fixtures, hard-wired in place.
A parabolic aluminized reflector lamp is a type of electric lamp that is widely used in commercial, residential, and transportation illumination. It produces a highly directional beam. Usage includes theatrical lighting, locomotive headlamps, aircraft landing lights, and residential and commercial recessed lights.
A multifaceted reflector light bulb is a reflector housing format for halogen as well as some LED and fluorescent lamps. MR lamps were originally designed for use in slide projectors, but see use in residential lighting and retail lighting as well. They are suited to applications that require directional lighting such as track lighting, recessed ceiling lights, desk lamps, pendant fixtures, landscape lighting, retail display lighting, and bicycle headlights. MR lamps are designated by symbols such as MR16 where the diameter is represented by numerals indicating units of eighths of an inch. Common sizes for general lighting are MR16 and MR11, with MR20 and MR8 used in specialty applications. Many run on low voltage rather than mains voltage alternating current so require a power supply.
A grow light is an electric light that can help plants grow. Grow lights either attempt to provide a light spectrum similar to that of the sun, or to provide a spectrum that is more tailored to the needs of the plants being cultivated. Outdoor conditions are mimicked with varying colour temperatures and spectral outputs from the grow light, as well as varying the intensity of the lamps. Depending on the type of plant being cultivated, the stage of cultivation, and the photoperiod required by the plants, specific ranges of spectrum, luminous efficacy and color temperature are desirable for use with specific plants and time periods.
A bipin or bi-pin is a type of lamp fitting. They are included in the IEC standard "IEC 60061 Lamp caps and holders together with gauges for the control of interchangeability and safety". They are used on many small incandescent light bulbs, and for starters on some types of fluorescent lights.
An LED lamp or LED light is an electric light that produces light using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LED lamps are significantly more energy-efficient than equivalent incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps. The most efficient commercially available LED lamps have efficiencies exceeding 200 lumens per watt (lm/W) and convert more than half the input power into light. Commercial LED lamps have a lifespan several times longer than both incandescent and fluorescent lamps.
Aquarium lighting describes any type of artificial lighting that is used to illuminate an aquarium. Some types of aquaria such as reef aquariums and planted aquariums require specialized high intensity lighting to support photosynthetic life within the tank.
T5 retrofit conversion is a means of converting light fittings designed to use T8 format lamps, so that they can use more energy-efficient T5 lamps. This is done by electronically converting the luminaires to high frequency operation.
United States Lighting Energy Policy is moving towards increased efficiency in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions and energy use. Lighting efficiency improvements in the United States can be seen through different standards and acts. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 laid out changes in lighting legislation for the United States. This set up performance standards and the phase-out of incandescent light bulbs in order to require the use of more efficient fluorescent lighting. EISA 2007 is an effort to increase lighting efficiency by 25-30%. Opposition to EISA 2007 is demonstrated by the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act and the Light Bulb Freedom of Choice Act. The efforts to increase lighting efficiency are also demonstrated by the Energy Star program and the increase efficiency goals by 2011 and 2013. A ban on the manufacture and sale of most general purpose incandescent bulbs in the U.S. took effect on August 1, 2023.
A lightbulb socket, lightbulb holder,light socket, lamp socket or lamp holder is a device which mechanically supports and provides electrical connections for a compatible electric lamp base. Sockets allow lamps to be safely and conveniently replaced (re-lamping). There are many different standards for lampholders, including early de facto standards and later standards created by various standards bodies. Many of the later standards conform to a general coding system in which a socket type is designated by a letter or abbreviation followed by a number.
A GU24 lamp fitting is a bi-pin connector for compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) or LED lamps that uses a bayonet mount–like twist-lock bi-pin connector instead of the Edison screw fitting used on many CFLs, LED lamps and incandescent light bulbs. The design was initiated by the U.S. EPA and the Lighting Research Center in 2004, in order to facilitate the deployment of compact fluorescent light bulbs with replaceable ballasts.
LED tube is a type of LED lamp used in fluorescent tube luminaires with G5 and G13 bases to replace traditional fluorescent tubes. As compared to fluorescent tubes, the most important advantages of LED tubes are energy efficiency and long service life. LED tubes are sometimes also referred to as ‘LED fluorescent tubes’.