CFL Full Form

CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL). Although it is a well-known name, many people are unaware of the entire significance of CFL. However, you will discover more about the Compact Fluorescent Lamp in this article. The glass is loaded with argon gas and mercury vapor, and the conductors are made from glass. A phosphor coating is applied to the inside layer of the glass, giving the bulb a varied light dispersion. As a result, utilizing these bulbs has no negative impact on the planet.

What are the Different Types of CFLs Available To Us?

There are now 2 kinds of CFLs available to purchase: The first one is integrated, using the electronic temper, adapter fitting, and tube, this Compact Fluorescent Lamp is built as a single item. Integrated lamps include both the tube and the ballast in one package. These bulbs make it simple for customers to switch from incandescent bulbs to CFL lighting. Many ordinary incandescent fittings can be retrofitted with embedded CFLs, lowering the expense of switching to artificial light. There are three-way lights and adjustable variants with conventional foundations.

Second is the non-integrated, the ballast is always attached in non-integrated CFLs, and only the fluorescent tube is normally replaced when it fails. When contrasted to embedded ballasts, the ballasts in the lamp source are wider and last more, and they don't need to be changed when the tube comes to the end. CFL enclosures that aren't integrated can be more costly and difficult.

What are the Two Components of CFL?

A magnetic or electronic ballast and a gas-filled pipe are the two main components of CFLs. The use of electronic ballasts instead of magnetic ballasts has eliminated almost all of the shadow flicker and sluggish start issues that have long been connected with artificial light, allowing the advancement of relatively small lights that are effectively replaceable with a wider range of incandescent light bulb dimensions. A compact circuit board with a bridge converter, a sensor filter, and usually two switching semiconductors, that are often enclosed bipolar devices, make up an electronic ballast. The entering AC current is corrected to DC before being transformed to high-frequency AC by the semiconductors in a resonating sequential DC to AC converter. The light pipe is then subjected to the specific rate that has resulted. Conventional CFLs perform badly in fading settings because the resonating converter strives to steady bulb current over a wide variety of supply levels, resulting in a reduced lifespan and often complete collapse of the bulb. Dimming service necessitates the use of special electrical ballasts.

How do CFLs Work?

In comparison to incandescent bulbs, CFLs generate a distinct type of light. In an incandescent light bulb, an electric current passes through a wire filament and heats it till it glows. An electric current is passed via a tube filled with argon and a little amount of mercury vapor in a CFL. This produces invisible UV light, which activates a luminous covering on the inside of the tube (called phosphor), which eventually produces light waves. When CFLs are first turned on, they require a bit more energy, but once the electricity is flowing, they consume around 70 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs. The stabilizer in a CFL helps to "kick start" the bulb and then controls the power once it is turned on.

Why is CFLs Best to Use?

CFLs have been installed in almost every home, office, and store. Once you comprehend the whole form and purpose of the CFL, there are numerous reasons to do so:

• Since CFLs consume less energy than standard light bulbs, they lower power consumption, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions particularly mercury in this case from power stations.

• CFLs have an extremely low mercury content, with each bulb containing a maximum of 4 milligrams.

• When the bulbs are functional and in use, no amount of mercury is discharged.

• You can count on CFLs' efficiency because they last longer than incandescent bulbs and are therefore more cost-effective. They are also extremely durable as a result of this.

What is the CFL Full Form?

The abbreviation CFL stands for Compact Fluorescent Lamp. It is a common household name, but the full meaning of CFL is still unknown to many. However, here you will get to know and learn more about this abbreviation.

These are made of glass with two electrodes where the glass is filled with argon gas and mercury vapor. The inner lining of the glass is lined with a phosphor coating, which gives the bulb a diffused light distribution. Therefore, using these bulbs is not harmful to the environment. 

What are the Types of CFLs Available in the Market?

Presently there are two types that you can buy from:

Integrated:

In this Compact Fluorescent Lamp (check CFL meaning), one single unit is designed by using the electronic ballast, the bayonet fitting, and the tube.

Non-Integrated:

This also consists of the electronic ballast that is fixed permanently in the luminaire. Since this is not combined with the bulb, only the bulb needs to be changed when it expires.

Why has the CFL Gained So Much Fame?

Almost every home, office and the shop has taken to installing the CFLs. The reasons for doing so are galore once you understand the CFL full form and meaning:

• These CFLs emit diffused light which reduces the heat of the emission as compared to the incandescent lamps. Since less energy is consumed, less heat is emitted.

• You can rely on the efficiency of the CFLs as they run for longer than the incandescent lamps and so are highly cost-effective. This also makes them greatly durable.

• They are economic too as you get to save at least 60-80% energy which explains a lesser amount of electricity bills.

• The CFLs also happen to emit less CO₂ as compared to the incandescent bulbs which make them eco-friendly.

• Besides all of the above, the CFLs are well suited for any kind of interior design and room décor.

History of Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Peter Cooper Hewitt invented the precursor to the contemporary fluorescent lamp in the late 1890s. Cooper Hewitt lamps were utilized in studios and industries for photography. A high-pressure vapor lamp was patented in 1927 by Edmund Germer, Friedrich Meyer, and Hans Spanner. George Inman later collaborated with GE to develop a viable fluorescent lamp, which was first commercialized in 1938 and registered in 1941.  To make fluorescent light fittings shorter, round and U-shaped lights were developed. At the 1939 New York World's Fair, the first fluorescent light bulb and fixture were presented to the general public. In response to the 1973 oil crisis, Edward E. Hammer, a General Electric engineer, designed the spiral CFL in 1976. Although the idea accomplished its objectives, building new plants to manufacture the lamps would have cost GE roughly $25 million, therefore the invention was shelved.

Others eventually imitated the design. Philips produced the SL*18, a screw-in or bayonet mount lamp with an inbuilt magnetic ballast, in 1980. A foldable T4 tube, stable tri-color phosphors, and a mercury amalgam were employed in the lamp. This was the first successful screw-in incandescent lamp replacement, using new rare earth metal interlayer phosphors to address the issue of lumen depreciation that would normally occur quickly in such a thin tube; however, it was not broadly embraced given its size, mass, proclaimed 50 Hz flicker, and 3-minute heat time.  It was modeled on the 1976 SL1000 prototype. Osram began offering the Dulux EL variant in 1985, which was the first CFL with an electronic ballast.

Are CFLs the Best in the Market?

CFLs were used as a stand-in for LED lights, which are much more brilliant. LED lights are now widely marketed in both physical and online retailers, and they come in a variety of designs and sizes. However, if you've switched to CFLs to substitute incandescent bulbs, keep using them till they stop functioning; just make sure they're correctly disposed of at the end of their life cycle. 

Are There Any Issues with Using CFL Bulbs?

The major concern is about the mercury content of CFLs, and rightfully so: mercury is a neurotoxin. The quantity in a CFL bulb, on the other hand, is about the size of the tip of a pencil. As per the EPA, growing consumption of CFL bulbs rather than incandescent bulbs lowers mercury emissions into the environment because plumes of smoke from fossil fuel-burning power stations are the principal source of mercury pollution. If CFLs break, they offer little harm to your household, but thorough cleaning is essential.

Alternative to CFL Bulbs

LEDs initially appeared in the industry in 1962. Electrons travel via a semiconductor element to power them. Because LEDs only produce red illumination at first, their applications were limited to indication lights and laboratory apparatus. They are now offered in the visible, ultra-violet, and infrared spectrums, allowing them to be used in a considerably larger range of applications, and even inside your house. In comparison to incandescent lights, LEDs have a smaller size, as well as improved longevity and efficiency. LEDs, unlike CFLs, can survive high temperatures and do not have hazardous mercury. LEDs are currently used in a wide range of applications, including overhead and recessed lighting, lamps, and systems. They also make fantastic holiday lights for both indoor and outdoor use.

Conclusion

By now you know what CFL stands for as these are very commonly used and easily available ones. You can switch to them from the old bulbs anytime that you need. Buying them will not be a problem and you are sure to gain from using them.

These lamps are great for saving electricity. They also happen to emit less harmful rays as compared to the old and stereotyped glass bulbs. You can purchase them for your homes and offices and they will go on for longer than the regular bulbs. So get to know the full meaning of CFL before you make your purchase.