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How does light output of HW-CFLs compare to other light sources?
High-wattage compact fluorescent lamps (HW-CFL) have similar initial light output to high-wattage incandescent lamps, mid-wattage metal halide (MH) lamps, low- to mid-wattage high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, and electrodeless fluorescent lamps. Table 1 provides a comparison of initial light output of HW-CFLs with other lamp types.
Table 1. Initial light output comparison of HW-CFL products with other lamp types |
|
Lamp Type |
Wattage |
Initial Light Output (lumens) |
|
Self-ballasted HW-CFL |
55-200 W |
3400 - 12,000 |
|
Remote-ballasted HW-CFL |
55-140 W |
4000 - 9000 |
|
Incandescent |
200-500 W |
3800 - 10,850 |
|
Ceramic MH |
50-150 W |
3600 - 12,500 |
|
Standard MH |
70-175 W |
3500 - 14,000 |
|
Pulse Start MH |
70-175 W |
4700 - 16,000 |
|
HPS |
50-150 W |
3700 - 16,000 |
|
Enhanced HPS |
70-150 W |
3800 - 12,000 |
|
Electrodeless Fluorescent |
55-165 W |
3500 - 12,000 |
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As with any fluorescent source, temperature will affect light output of HW-CFLs (see Short-term thermal effects section in How is performance affected by ambient temperature?).
NLPIP tested one sample of five self-ballasted HW-CFLs ranging from 55 W - 200 W and compared these measurements to light output claims made by their manufacturers. After seasoning the lamps for 100 hours, NLPIP performed thermal testing (see Appendix A: Thermal testing of HW-CFLs), and then tested them in an integrating sphere to measure light output (see Appendix B: Power and light output of HW-CFLs). As shown in Figure 2, all of the samples were within 10 percent of the manufacturers’ rated initial lumen (lm) values.
Figure 2. Rated vs. NLPIP-tested light output of five HW-CFL samples |
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