Cold cathode lights11/21/2023 ![]() Dimmabilityĭimming represents one of the most effective ways to reduce power consumption. ![]() Cold cathode lamps are typically 10 to 30 percent more efficient than a comparable hot cathode fluorescent lamp.Ĭold cathode lights have a life expectancy more than twice that of typical compact fluorescent lamps and do not suffer accelerated degradation with variations in supply voltage. The higher voltage overcomes the need to heat the tube while the lower arc current greatly extends the life of the discharge electrodes.ĭispensing with the wasteful heated electrodes allows high efficiency to be achieved in a small lamp. Large lamps are more efficient, in part because a smaller proportion of energy is used to heat the electrodes in a longer tube.Ĭold cathode fluorescent tubes operate at a much higher voltage and lower current than conventional fluorescent lamps. Consequently, fluorescent lamp efficiency is generally a function of size. The heated electrodes are also a substantial contribution to the energy consumption of the lamp. Material is slowly vaporised from the electrodes and deposited on the inside of the tube, degrading the phosphors and causing most of the characteristic decline in light output as the tube ages. Low voltages damage the tube electrodes due to insufficient heating, resulting in internal tube blackening and a decline in phosphor efficiency.Įven under ideal conditions, the electrodes slowly accumulate damage from the electric arc discharge. Many fluorescent lamps overheat and fail if operated at 15 volts for more than a few minutes. Nominal 12 volt batteries typically reach 15 volts during boost phases and below 11 Volts when discharged. This is a major problem for extra-low-voltage lighting systems using storage batteries. Special gasses in the tube emit ultraviolet light that stimulates fluorescence of the phosphors lining the inside of the tube.Ĭorrect electrode temperature is crucial to the longevity of the lamps which are rapidly degraded by variations from their optimum input voltage and ambient temperature. ![]() Even small improvements in lamp efficiency can offset substantial capital and operating expenses for solar lighting systems.Ĭonventional fluorescent lamps apply a voltage between heated electrodes located at each end of the tube, creating an electric arc discharge. Fluorescent lighting operates at several times the efficiency of incandescent lamps and is important for energy conservation, especially in photovoltaic power systems where electricity generation and storage costs are relatively high.
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