Advantages of Fluro Lights

Fluorescent lights (or tubes) use electricity to generate light. The current passes through a filament that is heated by electrons to cause the arc discharge.

Once the arc starts it heats up and glows, emitting two UV emission lines that create the light we see. This reflects off a coating of europium- and manganese-doped calcium halophosphate inside the tube envelope.

1. Energy Efficiency

The biggest advantage of fluorescent lights is that they are much more energy efficient incandescent light bulb than traditional incandescent bulbs. They use about half as much energy and have an operational lifespan 10 to 20 times longer. This reduces electricity bills, lowers maintenance costs, and helps the environment by reducing production demands.

Fluorescent bulbs use a combination of electrodes, mercury vapor and a ballast to produce light. The electrodes heat up, which makes the molecules of mercury vapor more conductive, and this causes them to glow. The ballast controls how long the electrodes stay hot and regulates current flow. Without the ballast, current would rise rapidly until the lamp fails.

It is important to remember that it takes more electricity to start a fluorescent bulb than to run it continuously, so you should only leave them on for as long as necessary. Frequent switching results in shorter lifespans and may even cause them to break prematurely.

2. Long Lifespan

Fluorescent lights last longer than many other types of lighting. For this reason, they are a great option for warehouses or other large spaces where light is needed for long periods of time. This longevity is because the tubes are made of durable materials that can withstand a lot of stress. However, their lifespan can be shortened by frequent switching on and off as well as exposure to moisture or vibration. This is why it’s important to test a fluorescent light’s Average Rated Life (ARL) before installing it in a critical area of your business. The test involves turning the lamps on and off every 15 minutes for three hours.

3. Low Maintenance

Fluro lights are simple and easy to maintain. They require little more than routine cleaning to keep them operating efficiently. The tubes can break from time to time, but when they do, simply air out the space and use paper towels fluro lights to clean up the broken glass and other fine particles. The sockets that hold the tube ends are also susceptible to failure, but they can easily be replaced with similar parts found at your local hardware store.

4. Easy Installation

Fluorescent shop lights can be hung in any fixture that used to hold standard bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes, from round and U-shaped to rectangular and cylindrical. They also come in various lengths from 12 to 96 inches.

Before attempting to install fluorescent light fixtures, shut off the power at your circuit breaker box and remove the lens or diffuser panel from the fixture. This makes it easier to work on the fixture without fear of a sudden shock. Use a stud finder to scan the ceiling and mark each stud where you plan to hang the fixture.

Once you have the fixture open, remove the ballast cover and inspect it for signs of damage or burnt out components. If the ballast looks burnt out, replace it with a new one.

To avoid damaging the new ballast, strip the old socket wiring loose 1/2 in. at a time and push the bare wire ends into the terminal slots in the new socket. Match the wire colors from your electrical source and the wires on the new fixture to make sure that everything is connected properly.

5. Affordable

Fluorescent bulbs require a larger upfront investment than incandescent bulbs, but they save energy and money in the long run with lower electricity bills. Plus, they last much longer than incandescent lights. Depending on your lighting needs, you can choose from different types of fluorescent bulbs to suit your space. You can even find specialized dimmer switches and light covers to maximize comfort and minimize brightness. For example, high-output T5 fluorescent bulbs can last up to 90,000 hours and produce more light (lumens) than other thicker linear fluorescent tubes. They are ideal for warehouse fixtures and other high-bay ceilings. You can also use them in retail fixtures like over the counter or cubby lighting.