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Fluorescent Lamps (light bulbs)
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In New Zealand there are three types of lamps and control equipment in our fluorescent fittings.
Control equipment comes in "ballasted" which has a "starter" that flickers during the initial start up of the lamp. Resonant Start which does not require a starter and Electronic Ballasts which use high frequency and do not require a starter.
Fluorescent lamps are rated in wattage (the amount of light output) and colour. The wattage is determined by the length and the diameter. The lamps come in three basic sizes, T-5 (16mm diameter), T-8 (26mm) and T-12 (40mm).
T-12 - This tube has a diameter of 40mm and is now not generally available in New Zealand. This used to be the most common diameter of tube fluorescent lamps (light bulbs). It is usually bi-pin (two pins on each end) and has a either resonant start or starter. It is available in a variety of lengths including a 600mm (2ft) 18-watt, a 900mm (3ft) 24Watt, a 1200mm (4ft) 36watt and a 1500mm (5ft) 58watt lamp.
T-8 - This tube has replaced the T-12. It has a 26mm diameter, it is more energy-efficient and it gives off more light than the T-12. It is available in the same lengths as the T-12 and can retrofit to the older switched start (starter type) fluorescent fittings.
T-5 - This tube is considerably more efficient than the T-8 and is currently used in a lot of commercial locations in New Zealand. It has a 16mm diameter and come in a variety of "colours".
Each colour has it's own application, for instance the daylight lamp is good in Butchers shops to show off the health of the product.
Daylight which casts a yellowish tone that simulates exterior sun conditions.
Cool white - This is the most commonly used in commercial settings. It has a slightly bluish color. It is not recommended for residential use because it has a distortion that makes colors look washed out.
Warm white - This bulb is recommended for residential use. It has a slightly pinkish color.
Full spectrum - This bulb shows the truest color and is brighter than the cool white or warm white bulbs.
By far T5 lamps are the most economic to run. There are many advantages to the use of T5 (16mm) lamp technology, these range from environmental aspects to improved performance and quality of light.
T5 lamps are approximately 40% smaller than T8 lamps and almost 60% smaller than T12 lamps.
T5 lamp has a low mercury content, so we are not addding to the landfill when we dispose of them. T5 lighting is currently a more cost-effective solution than similar LED lighting of comparable outputs. This is mainly due to the high capital upfront costs of the LED lamps.
In New Zealand there are three types of lamps and control equipment in our fluorescent fittings.Control equipment comes in "ballasted" which has a "starter" that flickers during the initial start up of the lamp. Resonant Start which does not require a starter and Electronic Ballasts which use high frequency and also do not require a starter.
Fluorescent lamps are rated in wattage (the amount of light output) and colour. The wattage is determined by the length and the diameter. The lamps come in three basic sizes, T-5 (16mm diameter), T-8 (26mm) and T-12 (40mm).
T-12 - This tube has a diameter of 40mm and is now not generally available in New Zealand. This used to be the most common diameter of tube fluorescent lamps (light bulbs). It is usually bi-pin (two pins on each end) and has a either resonant start or starter. It is available in a variety of lengths including a 600mm (2ft) 18-watt, a 900mm (3ft) 24Watt, a 1200mm (4ft) 36watt and a 1500mm (5ft) 58watt lamp.
T-8 - This tube has replaced the T-12. It has a 26mm diameter, it is more energy-efficient and it gives off more light than the T-12. It is available in the same lengths as the T-12 and can retrofit to the older switched start (starter type) fluorescent fittings.
T-5 - This tube is considerably more efficient than the T-8 and is currently used in a lot of commercial locations in New Zealand. It has a 16mm diameter and come in a variety of "colours".
Each colour has it's own application, for instance the daylight lamp is good in Butchers shops to show off the health of the product.
- Daylight which casts a yellowish tone that simulates exterior sun conditions.
- Cool white - This is the most commonly used in commercial settings. It has a slightly bluish color. It is not recommended for residential use because it has a distortion that makes colors look washed out.
- Warm white - This bulb is recommended for residential use. It has a slightly pinkish color.
- Full spectrum - This bulb shows the truest color and is brighter than the cool white or warm white bulbs.
By far T5 lamps are the most economic to run. There are many advantages to the use of T5 (16mm) lamp technology, these range from environmental aspects to improved performance and quality of light.
T5 lamps are approximately 40% smaller than T8 lamps and almost 60% smaller than T12 lamps.
T5 lamp has a low mercury content, so we are not addding to the landfill when we dispose of them. T5 lighting is currently a more cost-effective solution than similar LED lighting of comparable outputs. This is mainly due to the high capital upfront costs of the LED lamps.
