1. Where can I find information
about the Electronic Circular Lamp Set?
The FIREFLY
Electronic Circular Lamp Set consists of a circular lamp and
an electronic ballast. Its E27 base is easy to install and makes
it suitable to standard ceiling receptacles eliminating the
need for expensive fixtures. This is applicable for homes, comfort
rooms, restaurants.
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Product Specifications
+Download
Product Brochure
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2. Why do fluorescent
lamps need a ballast?
Fluorescent light bulbs need
a ballast because they use a gas to create light. When the gas
is excited by electricity, it emits invisible ultraviolet light
that hits the white coating inside the fluorescent bulb. The
coating changes the ultraviolet light into light you can see.
(Because fluorescent bulbs don't use heat to create light, they
are far more energy-efficient than regular incandescent bulbs.)
The combination of gas, electricity,
and coating in a fluorescent bulb is so effective at producing
light that, without something to regulate the electricity flowing
into the bulb, the light will continue to gain intensity until
the bulb stops working. That's where a ballast comes in. It
supplies the initial electricity that creates the light, and
then it regulates the amount of electricity flowing through
the bulb so that the right amount of light is emitted.
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3. How do I minimize UV
radiation from fluorescent lamps?
Lamp manufacturers generally
strive to minimize ultraviolet (UV) radiation in all lamps used
in general lighting applications.
The amount of UV produced by
standard fluorescent lamps, such as those in your office, home,
or school, is not hazardous and does not pose a major health
concern. In fact, a paper by the National Electrical Manufacturers
Association (NEMA) in the U.S. explores this subject in more
detail. It cites a study in which it was determined that UV
exposure from sitting indoors under fluorescent lights at typical
office light levels for an eight hour workday is equivalent
to just over a minute of exposure to the sun in Washington,
D.C. on a clear day in July.
Some applications require the
absence of UV. To completely eliminate UV, we would recommend
using UV sleeves or filters.
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4. What should I do if
I break a fluorescent lamp?
Puncture resistant gloves are
recommended for cleaning up broken glass. After picking up all
large fragments, wipe area thoroughly to clean any remaining
glass or phosphor residue. If necessary, ventilate area to remove
any remaining fine phosphor dust. After handling broken lamps,
wash hands and face thoroughly. Incidental exposure to lamp
contents is not harmful. The basic phosphor used in the manufacture
of fluorescent lamps is a relatively inert phosphate. The small
amount of mercury contained in each lamp will not cause any
significant amount of airborne mercury, since most of the elemental
mercury remains adhered to the phosphor surface. No adverse
health effects are expected from exposure to a broken fluorescent
tube.
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5. Is it more energy-efficient
to turn a lamp off or leave it on?
The question of "turn them
off or let them burn" is a common one in lighting. Since
there is no surge involved in the starting of any residential
lamp, the answer is "if you are not using them, turn them
off." The cost of operating a lamp is the wattage consumed
while lighted thus the general answer is turn them off.
High intensity discharge lamps
(rarely found in indoor household applications) and fluorescent
lamps have different operating needs. If you have a fluorescent
lamp, the general rule is turn the lamp off unless you are going
to need it again within fifteen minutes. Frequent cycling, turning
on and off for short periods of time such as in a closet application,
can reduce the life of a fluorescent lamp.
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6. Why is noise coming
from my fluorescent lamp?
Audible noise from a fluorescent
light is likely due to a loose or faulty ballast. The ballast
is an electrical device inside the lighting fixture that supplies
the proper starting and operating power to the lamp.
Sometimes, changing a lamp loosens
the ballast mounting or other parts of the fixture and the slight
vibration from the ballast during normal operation causes a
buzzing or hum. The volume of the sound may change - louder
or softer - as the fixture warms up. You might try tightening
any screws or loose fixture parts to see if this alleviates
the noise problem. Checking the ballast mounting screws is a
little more complicated since the fixture has to be opened,
but that would be the next step.
Be sure that anyone servicing
a lamp, ballast, or fixture first turns off the electricity
to avoid the chance of electrical shock.
Noise can also be an indication
that the ballast is about to fail. Ballasts normally last 10-20
years, but often become noisy just before they fail. If the
light goes out and then comes back on unexpectedly after initially
operating for a while, it means that a thermal switch inside
the ballast has opened and closed - another indication that
the ballast is at its end-of-life.
If the ballast needs replacing,
inquire about an electronic replacement unit. Electronic ballasts
are inherently quieter than older electromagnetic designs.
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7. Can fluorescent lamps
be put on a dimmer?
Yes, only if the fluorescent
lamp is using a dimmable electronic ballast. Any time a dimmable
electronic ballast is used, a compatible dimming switch needs
to be installed.
The FIREFLY
Electronic Ballast offers higher light output, 30 - 40% savings
on energy and longer life as compared to standard magnetic ballasts.
It has instant start and flicker free features eliminating the
need for glow starters and can be used with dimmers. It is available
at 8,000 hrs. & 20,000 hrs. of lamp life and also in 12
Volts.
+See
Product Specifications
For information on compatible
switches, please contact
us.
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8. How much heat is radiated
from a fluorescent lamp?
About 90% of all energy emitted
by tungsten filaments (including those in halogen lamps) is
infrared, or radiant heat. The way to decrease heat from your
fixtures is to use lower wattage lamps, or to use compact fluorescent
lamps.
The common types and colors
of fluorescent lamps radiate an estimated 30% of their energy
in the infrared range -"principally far infrared (wavelengths
beyond 5000 nm)". More information is included in "The
IESNA Lighting Handbook" by the Illuminating Engineering
Society.
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9. Do light bulbs (such
as fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent lamps) give off hazardous
amounts of ultraviolet (UV) light?
Regular fluorescent lamps used
in your home and office do not produce a hazardous amount of
ultraviolet light (UV). Most light sources, including fluorescent
lamps, emit a small amount of UV, but the UV produced by fluorescent
lamps is far less than the amount produced by natural daylight.
(UV light rays are the light wavelengths that can cause sunburn
and skin damage.)
Your safety is important to
us. That's why, for all of our lamps designed for general public
use, we strive to minimize the amount of UV light emitted.
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10. What is the mean lumen
output of a fluorescent lamp, and how is it different from the
initial lumens?
Since fluorescent lamps have
such a long life compared to incandescent lamps, eventually
the brightness (lumen output) of the lamp will begin to decrease.
Because of this, fluorescent
lamps have an initial lumen rating and a mean lumen rating.
The mean lumen output is measured at 40% of the lamp life.
NOTE: Decorative or colored
bulbs do not have a lumen rating since they are not considered
a primary source of lights, only decorative.
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11. Does FIREFLY market
Fixtures for Circular Fluorescent Lamps?
Yes. FIREFLY
offers fixtures for the circular fluorescent - the Ceiling Lamp
Set, complete with ballast, starter and fluorescent lamp.
+See
Product Specifications
+Download
Product Brochure
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12. How can I get lighting
product catalogs?
Downloadable PDFs, including
the latest product catalogs with in-depth product specifications
are located in the Products menu of this web site.
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Product Catalogs
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