Energy-saving lamps / Compact fluorescent lamps

If everyone used energy-saving lamps how much electricity would be saved worldwide?

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If everyone used energy-saving lamps how much electricity would be saved worldwide?

Answer

Assuming that 30% of the world switches to using these energy-saving lighting products – this roughly amounts to a reduction of 260 million tons in global CO₂ emission and 460 billion kw/hrs of electricity. This figure equates to roughly the annual electricity consumption of India, half of Japan or a quarter of China.

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What is the proper way to dispose of energy-saving lamps?

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What is the proper way to dispose of energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Energy-saving lamps fall into the category “discharge lamps” and contain small amounts of mercury.This means that consumers should not throw energy-saving lamps out with normal household waste as they do with ordinary light bulbs. Energy-saving lamps must be disposed of properly at community waste disposal centers or collection centers for electrical equipment. This is free of charge.

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Where can I buy energy-saving lamps?

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Where can I buy energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Energy-saving lamps are available in a wide range of retail outlets.

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Why are energy-saving lamps more expensive than ordinary light bulbs?

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Why are energy-saving lamps more expensive than ordinary light bulbs?

Answer

The purchase price of an ordinary light bulb is certainly lower than of an energy-saving lamp. But energy-saving lamps consume far less electricity and last much longer, so they are much cheaper in the long run.

Energy-saving lamps will burn for around 15,000 hours, ordinary light bulbs only last 1,000 hours. Fifteen light bulbs would have to be purchased one after the other to provide the same service life as a single energy-saving lamp.

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Do energy-saving lamps contain mercury?

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Do energy-saving lamps contain mercury?

Answer

Most fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge lamps contain mercury. Without it, these lamps would be considerably less efficient and suffer in other performance categories as well.

At OSRAM, we are devoting considerable research & development efforts towards reducing mercury in our lamps, with the ultimate goal being mercury-free discharge lamps with comparable performance characteristics. Of course, all lamps produced by OSRAM fulfill the applicable standards, such as the European RoHS directive for lamps placed on the EU market.

Nevertheless, mercury is a toxic substance, so it is necessary that all mercury containing lamps must be disposed off properly or better yet, recycled, even if the content has been reduced to only a few milligrams. 

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Some energy-saving lamps have the label: " RoHS compliant"

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Some energy-saving lamps have the label: " RoHS compliant" (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). What does this mean?

Answer

Since July 2006 in Europe has been a hazardous substances law in force. Since then, all energy-saving lamps in Europe have had to comply with this RoHS directive. The directive was devised to control and reduce the amount of hazardous substances in many lamp technologies. 

Since OSRAM complies with all the CFLi standards – including RoHS – we do not think it necessary to mention a standard separately on the packaging.

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What about electromagnetic fields and energy-saving lamps?

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What about electromagnetic fields and energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Electromagnetic fields are an everyday fact of life for people in industrialized countries. Electromagnetic fields (EMF) occur wherever electricity is involved.

Light bulbs and energy-saving lamps both create EMF. All lighting systems from OSRAM, however, are well within the national and international limit values. EMF depends not only on the control gear and the lamp but also on the design of the luminaire.

Specialists and institutions such as the WHO are responsible for defining the limit values. The limit values are confirmed by the WHO and the International Radiation Protection Agency (IRPA) and incorporated in EU legislation.

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Does the packaging indicate whether the product is an energy-saving lamp or an ordinary light bulb?

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Does the packaging indicate whether the product is an energy-saving lamp or an ordinary light bulb?

Answer

For the majority of our products we are using paperboard folding boxes. Only a minimum (less than 5%) is going with blister package - due to the demands of our retail customers.

OSRAM uses green packaging for energy-saving lamps to indicate that they are environmentally friendly. OSRAM incandescent lamps are sold in orange packaging.

The environmental impact is an important issue for OSRAM when it is about production processes and products but also concerning the packaging. This is an ongoing process of permanent improvement.

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Does the technology exist to manufacture incandescent lamps with longer lives?

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Does the technology exist to manufacture incandescent lamps with longer lives?

Answer

There is a correlation between the luminous efficacy and the life of a lamp (not linear but logarithmic). If incandescent lamps were produced with much longer lives (this is not something that OSRAM does) the efficiency of the lamp would be much lower (longer life means reduced luminous efficacy).

Example:

A 60 W incandescent lamp that lasts for 1,000 hours offers 12 lumen/W.

A 60 W incandescent lamp that lasts for 2,000 hours offers only 10.5 lumen/W.

A lamp with a lower luminous efficacy is therefore not more efficient over a longer life span.

OSRAM recommends changing to more efficient technologies such as compact fluorescent lamps (energy-saving lamps) or halogen lamps (energy-saving halogen lamps will be launched in summer), particularly for locations where the lamps are in use for relatively long periods. Energy efficiency is of particular importance with regard to climate protection.

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How does an energy-saving lamp work?

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How does an energy-saving lamp work?

Answer

An energy-saving lamp converts five times more energy into light than an ordinary light bulb. 25% of the consumed energy is converted into light.

An ordinary light bulb converts 95% of the power it consumes into heat and only 5% into light.

Example: A 100 W bulb can be replaced by a 20 W energy-saving lamp.

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How long does an energy-saving lamp last, compared with ordinary light bulbs?

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How long does an energy-saving lamp last, compared with ordinary light bulbs?

Answer

An ordinary light bulb has an average life of around 1,000 hours (if used on average for 3 hours a day it will last about 1 year).

OSRAM energy-saving lamps are available in different quality categories: 15,000 hours, 10,000 hours and 6,000 hours and therefore last up to 15 years, 10 years or 6 years if used for about 3 hours a day on average.

The German consumer association, Stiftung Warentest, confirmed (in the January 2007 issue of its magazine) that OSRAM energy-saving lamps deliver their promises in terms of quality and life span, unlike lamps from some cheap suppliers. What’s more, OSRAM lamps were the brightest even after a long period of operation.

It is worth choosing a longlife lamp because they work out cheaper over their entire lifetime. For example, to provide light for 15,000 hours a consumer needs one OSRAM DULUX EL Longlife energy-saving lamp (with a life span of 15,000 hours) or 2.5 energy-saving lamps with a life span of 6,000 hours each (2.5 x 6,000 hours = 15,000 hours).

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What are the possible technical developments for energy-saving lamps over the next few years?

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What are the possible technical developments for energy-saving lamps over the next few years?

Answer

There is always further potential for improvements. OSRAM is investing heavily in research and development for high-tech lamps such as high-pressure discharge lamps (for shop lighting for example) and obviously for energy-saving lamps (for example the world’s first flickerfree and continuously dimmable energy-saving lamp) and halogen lamps (energy-saving halogen lamps have been launched in summer 2007).

Another major innovation is the electrodeless energy-saving lamp, such as the OSRAM DULUX EL CONCENTRA R80 23 W.They start immediately at 60% of their rated output and achieve full output after only 10 seconds.This rapid starting is made possible by a magnetic field that ignites the filler gas in a coil (other types use electrodes but they wear out). Amalgam is used in this lamp, which makes the lamp suitable for use in a wider temperature range. 90% of the luminous flux is achieved at temperatures between -5°C and +65°C. The lamp is therefore also suitable for use in narrow luminaires.With an average life of 15,000 hours and an ability to withstand 500,000 on/off switching cycles the Concentra R80 is particularly durable and robust. Models with the classic bulb shape will be launched in fall.

In summer 2007 OSRAM has launched halogen energy-saving lamps, giving consumers even more choice from the broad range of energy-saving lamps. Halogen energy-saving lamps produce brilliant light typical of halogen lamps.They can be dimmed without restriction, last twice as long as incandescent lamps and achieve energy savings of 30%.

LED light sources are the lights of the future. LEDs are opening up new lighting applications, particularly because of their small dimensions and energy efficiency. These new applications include architecture lighting and the wellness sector where colored light is especially appreciated.

The next stage in the development is the organic LED (OLED). OLEDs are still at the research stage. It will take a few years before the first applications appear.

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What are the technical differences between energy-saving lamps and ordinary light bulbs?

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What are the technical differences between energy-saving lamps and ordinary light bulbs?

Answer

The difference lies in the involved physics: an energy-saving lamp is a low-pressure discharge lamp, whereas an ordinary incandescent light bulb is a thermal radiator. In an incandescent light bulb, current flows through a fine wire, causing it to glow. The tungsten metal wire heats up to around 2,500°C, which means that most of the radiated power is invisible infrared radiation – in other words thermal radiation. The bulb converts only around 5% of the energy into light, achieving a luminous flux of 7 to 15 lumen per watt of electrical power.

Energy-saving lamps, which produce between 30 and 70 lumen per watt depending on the design and output, operate on an entirely different principle. Inside them, a filament emits electrons when it is heated to a maximum of 1,500°C. These electrons race around the inside of the tubes where they hit mercury atoms. This produces invisible ultraviolet light. Only when this light hits the internal coating of the tubes (= phosphor) is it converted into visible light. Depending on the composition of the phosphor, the light color will be warmer or cooler.

Electronic control gear is needed to operate an energy-saving lamp.This control gear is integrated in energy-saving lamps (CFLi), making them ideal as direct replacements for incandescent bulbs.

There are some compact fluorescent lamps however that do not have the control gear integrated in them. These are mainly used in commercial applications, however, such as offices, shops and factories.

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What are the visible differences between energy-saving lamps and ordinary light bulbs?

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What are the visible differences between energy-saving lamps and ordinary light bulbs?

Answer

In addition to tube versions, energy-saving lamps are available in many classic designs, including candle and bulb shapes.

The first energy-saving lamp, which OSRAM launched in 1985, was extremely long and had a relatively large diameter. The lamps have since become much smaller and, depending on the type, are now as small as ordinary light bulbs.

Each energy-saving lamp has a white section between the glass and the base.This is where the electronic control gear is housed. It gives consumers a clear indication of whether the product is an energy-saving lamp or an incandescent lamp.

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What is an energy-saving lamp?

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What is an energy-saving lamp?

Answer

Energy-saving lamps are in fact “compact fluorescent lamps with integrated control gear (CFLi)” and are categorized as fluorescent lamps.

The tube in which light is produced is bent back on itself to make the lamp more compact. In principle, it is therefore a fluorescent lamp with a multi-turned tube, control gear and base. An energy-saving lamp can be used in the same way as an ordinary light bulb (incandescent lamp), but normally cannot be dimmed.

Energy-saving lamps are now available in a wide variety of shapes and with different bases. Continuously dimmable versions are the latest innovation. A lamp with two dimming stages has been on the market for some time.

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Why is a preheat function still needed?

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Why is a preheat function still needed?

Answer

OSRAM now offers the Quickstart function for all 10,000 hour energy-saving lamps for domestic use. This patented technology was developed in Augsburg. It ensures that energy-saving lamps from OSRAM (with a life of 10,000 hours) start up much faster and instantly offer 40% of their rated output.

One benefit of preheating is the fact that the lamps can better withstand frequent on/off switching. An energy-saving lamp (15,000 hours) with preheating can withstand up to 500,000 on/off switching operations. A 10,000 hour energy-saving lamp with Quickstart (but without preheating), however, can handle up to 10,000 on/off switching operations, which is perfectly adequate for the domestic sector.

OSRAM therefore makes use of the preheat function in the commercial sector where a lamp life of 15,000 hours is required, for example in offices. Rapid startup is not absolutely essential in such applications, but long lamp life is.

The 15,000 hour energy-saving lamp with preheating is available only in the trade sales channel.

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Are there differences between the lamps in terms of their light or tone?

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Are there differences between the lamps in terms of their light or tone?

Answer

How “warm” or “cold” the light is depends on the color temperature and is measured in degrees Kelvin. The popular warm white light of an ordinary light bulb measures 2700 Kelvin. OSRAM energy-saving lamps produce this light color. Special types with different color temperatures, from Warm White to Daylight, are also available.

Warm White     = 2700 Kelvin

Cool White       = 4000 Kelvin

Daylight           = 6000 Kelvin

Light at 2700 K is similar to the light from an ordinary light bulb so it is ideal for use at home. The cooler light colors are often preferred in southern European and Asian countries with a particularly warm climate.

The new continuously dimmable energy-saving lamp, the OSRAM DULUX EL DIM, will be available in 2700 K, the warm white color.

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Can energy-saving lamps flicker?

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Can energy-saving lamps flicker?

Answer

Yes, this may occur with cheap lamps. Quality lamps from OSRAM do not flicker!

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Isn’t energy-saving light rather uncomfortable?

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Isn’t energy-saving light rather uncomfortable?

Answer

No. Anyone who says they are unhappy with the color of the light from their energy-saving lamps should check the Kelvin value of the lamps and look for the warm white label. 

Important: Energy-saving lamps of poor quality often claim a light color of 2700 K but cannot display this properly. When buying energy-saving lamps it is best to choose quality and therefore the OSRAM brand in order to avoid disappointment. None of us want to relax at home in a bluish or even greenish light!

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Are there any dimmable energy-saving lamps?

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Are there any dimmable energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Yes, the OSRAM DULUX EL DIM. It is the world’s first infinitely dimmable energy-saving lamp and can be used with most standard dimmers (phase dimmers). So out with the old light bulbs and in with OSRAM DULUX EL DIM.

Other lamps can be dimmed only in stages, not continuously.

The development of the dimmable energy-saving lamp was an enormous challenge because of its sophisticated electronics to make it compatible with the most common dimmer switches. OSRAM has tested the lamp with as many as 50 different dimmers available on the market. Normal energy-saving lamps have up to 40 components in the electronic control gear; the OSRAM DULUX EL DIM needs up to 250 components.

There is also the OSRAM DULUX EL VARIO, which offers different dimming levels. With this lamp, energy-saving light can be varied without the need for dimmers. The two-stage dimmer function provides bright light or cosy atmospheric light at the flick of a switch.

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Are there differences in quality among energy-saving lamps?

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Are there differences in quality among energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Yes, in some cases the differences are significant. Stiftung Warentest (the German consumer association) tested 27 energy-saving lamps and found that OSRAM lamps are the brightest even after 19,000 hours of operation. Energy-saving lamps from OSRAM gave excellent performance, both the E27 screw base versions and those with the smaller E14 bases.

OSRAM energy-saving lamps are not only the most economical of all the lamps tested but also the ones that withstood on/off switching the best. Frequent on/off switching is no problem at all for the OSRAM lamps. Some of the other energy-saving lamps reacted badly. Twelve models failed prematurely in the switching test.

It is therefore fair to say that energy-saving lamps from OSRAM are real long-distance runners when it comes to saving electricity and money.

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Does frequent dimming do any damage to energy-saving lamps?

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Does frequent dimming do any damage to energy-saving lamps?

Answer

No, but it is important to remember that normal energy-saving lamps CANNOT be dimmed. Only the dimmable energy-saving lamps are truly dimmable. If a normal energy-saving lamp is dimmed it will fail at the first attempt. Cheap lamps may even catch fire. The non-dimmable OSRAM energy-saving lamps have a safety circuit that prevents this happening.

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Is there a seal of quality for energy-saving lamps?

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Is there a seal of quality for energy-saving lamps?

Answer

The OSRAM brand always stands for high quality. OSRAM offers consumers a 3-year guarantee for the OSRAM DULUXSTAR family and a 5-year guarantee for the OSRAM DULUX SUPERSTAR family.

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What are halogen energy-saving lamps?

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What are halogen energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Halogen energy-saving lamps produce brilliant light typical of halogen lamps. They can be dimmed without restriction, last twice as long as incandescent lamps and achieve energy savings of 30%.

In summer 2007 OSRAM has launched a halogen energy-saving lamp, giving consumers even more choice from the broad range of energy-saving lamps.

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What are the different types of energy-saving lamp?

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What are the different types of energy-saving lamp?

Answer

It is a common myth that energy-saving lamps are available only in tube form. Consumers now have a wide choice of shapes, sizes, bases and wattages. If you need a light source in a bulb or candle shape you can have it as an energy-saving version. There are also products that do more than “just” save energy.

For example the OSRAM DULUX EL REFLECTOR, an energy-saving spotlight lamp which provides focused light for objects or walls.

The OSRAM DULUX EL SENSOR is ideal for constant lighting that is automatic, economical and reliable. It automatically switches on at dusk and off again at dawn. The high-quality sensors provide light at the right time.

The energy-saving lamp with the most striking shape is the OSRAM CIRCOLUX EL. It was developed specifically for shielded and pendant luminaires. Because of its special design it distributes the light very evenly. 

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Are there any energy-saving lamps available for applications such as street lights or automobiles?

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Are there any energy-saving lamps available for applications such as street lights or automobiles?

Answer

There are no energy-saving lamps for street lighting in Europe, but some Asian countries have them. Economical street lighting is possible for example with sodium lamps (NAV). LEDs are usually used in automobiles.

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Does switching on an energy-saving lamp consume more energy than leaving it on for one hour?

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Does switching on an energy-saving lamp consume more energy than leaving it on for one hour?

Answer

No.

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How long does it take for an energy-saving lamp to switch on? Seconds or minutes?

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How long does it take for an energy-saving lamp to switch on? Seconds or minutes?

Answer

With patented Quickstart technology from OSRAM, energy-saving lamps provide twice as much light as normal energy-saving lamps (from other manufacturers) as soon as they are switched on. The new electrodeless lamp produces 80% of its full output after only 10 seconds.

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How often can energy-saving lamps be switched on and off?

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How often can energy-saving lamps be switched on and off?

Answer

The 6,000 hour lamps can be switched on and off up to 5,000 times. 10,000 hour lamps can be switched on and off up to 10,000 times and 15,000 hour lamps as many as 500,000 times.

OSRAM also offers a Facility range of energy-saving lamps. These energy-saving lamps last 15,000 hours, can be switched on and off any number of times and are equipped with Quickstart. OSRAM recommends these lamps for stairwell lighting operated on time switches. The lights here are frequently switched on and off and are only on for relatively short periods.

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Is it better to leave energy-saving lamps switched on rather than keep switching them on and off?

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Is it better to leave energy-saving lamps switched on rather than keep switching them on and off?

Answer

In homes the lights are not switched on and off often enough to be any reduction in the life of high-quality lamps. It is therefore no problem at all to have the lamp in the bathroom, for example, switched on and off several times in the course of an evening.

For the purposes of testing to relevant standards the life of a lamp is measured on the basis of 165 minutes on and 15 minutes off.

Constantly switching them on and off without a break may shorten their lives. In normal circumstances in which energy-saving lamps are used this simply does not happen. There is no problem at all in normal operation.

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Is it wise to use energy-saving lamps in stairwells with short operating times?

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Is it wise to use energy-saving lamps in stairwells with short operating times?

Answer

For applications such as stairwell lighting where the lights are switched on and off frequently it is best to use energy-saving lamps designed specifically for this purpose. It is called OSRAM DULUX EL FACILITY. It is special electronic control gear for rapid starting and unlimited on/off switching. OSRAM is the only manufacturer that offers this Facility range.

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Is there any possible incompatibility between an energy-saving lamp and a luminaire?

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Is there any possible incompatibility between an energy-saving lamp and a luminaire?

Answer

Problems would only arise with luminaires that did not conform to relevant standards or in case of dimming.

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What do I need to know about using energy-saving lamps?

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What do I need to know about using energy-saving lamps?

Answer

Energy-saving lamps work without any problems at all in any luminaire that complies with the relevant standards. They must not be dimmed under any circumstances unless they are specifically designed as dimmable energy-saving lamps.

Energy-saving lamps fall into the category of “discharge lamps” and contain small amounts of mercury.This means that consumers cannot throw energy-saving lamps out with normal household waste as they do with ordinary light bulbs. In the EU energy-saving lamps must be disposed of properly at community waste disposal centers or collection centers for electrical equipment. This is free of charge.

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What is the relationship between the wattages of ordinary light bulbs and energy-saving lamps?

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What is the relationship between the wattages of ordinary light bulbs and energy-saving lamps?

Answer

According to the German Energy Agency, a 7 to 9 W energy-saving lamp provides as much light as a 40 W bulb. A 60 W light bulb can be replaced by an energy-saving lamp rated at 11 to 16 W (depending on the type). A 20 W energy-saving lamp is ideal as a replacement for a 100 W bulb. This not only saves consumers some hard cash but also helps the environment.

Many luminaires are designed to take bulbs with a maximum wattage of 60 W or even 40 W so they are restricted in the amount of light they can give out. With energy-saving lamps, however, these same luminaires can in some cases emit much brighter light.

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Where can energy-saving lamps be used?

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Where can energy-saving lamps be used?

Answer

Energy-saving lamps can be used almost anywhere. They cannot be used in ovens, refrigerators or microwaves.The effectiveness of discharge lamps is impaired by cold or heat.

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