Fluorescents Lamps

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]

Fluorescent lamps are high efficiency lamps utilizing an electrical discharge through low pressure mercury vapor to produce ultra-violet (UV) energy. The UV excites phosphor materials applied as a thin layer on the inside of a glass tube, which makes up the structure of the lamp. The phosphors transform the UV to visible light.  Important performance specifications to consider when searching for fluorescent lamps include rated average life, lamp power, initial lumens, mean lumens, color rendering index, and color temperature.  The rated average life refers to the lamp burning hours to median life expectancy.  The lamp power specifies the wattage of the lamp.  Initial lumens are the initial light output. A lumen is the international (SI) unit of luminous flux or quantity of light.  Mean lumens specify the average lamp output over a designated amount of time (usually 40%-50% of the rated lamp life). A lumen is the international (SI) unit of luminous flux or quantity of light.  The color rendering index is an indication of the ability of the lamp to render object colors in a normal, natural way. The higher the number (0-100), the better the color appearance.  The color temperature is a measure of the visual "warmth" or "coolness" of the light from the lamp. The higher the value, the whiter or "cooler" the light appears.

The nominal length specifies lamp size for fluorescent lamps, which is the overall length of the lamp.  Choices for lamp base for fluorescent lamps include single pin T-6, single pint T-8, single pin T-12, bi-in T-5, bi-pin T-8, bi-pin T-10, bi-pin T-12, recessed double contact T-8, and recessed double contact T-12.  A single pin T-6 lamp has a single pin and is small in size.  A single pin T-8 lamp has a single pin and is medium in size.  A single pin T-12 has a single pin and is large in size.  A bi-pin T-5 has a two pin connection and is miniature in size. A bi-pin T-6 has a two pin connection and is small in size.  A bi-pin T-10 has a two pin connection and is medium in size.  A bi-pin T-12 has a two pin connection and is large in size.  A recessed double contact T-8 has a two pin connection that is recessed and is small in size.  A recessed double contact T-12 has a two pin connection that is recessed and is large in size.

Types we carry:

Circuline Fluorescent
Fluorescent Tubes
Fluorescent Safety-Coated 
Sleeves & End Caps
U-Bend Lamps