Fluorescent lamps were invented for a very long time. Initially, the companies that manufactured them did not comply with virtually any standards. This was due primarily to the simplicity of the design of such lamps. The freedom of choice regarding the size and configuration of such lighting equipment from manufacturers was not limited by anything. However, in the end, the assembly process of such lamps still became more manageable. The list of types of fluorescent lamps supplied to the market today is wide, but still limited. Such equipment is classified according to various signs displayed in the marking. In fluorescent lamps, it is usually applied directly to the flask.
What types are
All fluorescent lamps supplied to the market today can differ in the following ways:
Such lamps can also be classified by color of light and light temperature.
Of course, a consumer who decides to purchase a luminescent model must first of all be informed of all its technical characteristics. The latter are displayed, as with any other equipment, in this case, in the marking. For fluorescent lamps, it looks something like this:
In some cases, the order of the numbers may vary. Also, in some cases, only part of the characteristics is displayed in the lamp code.
Spectrum differences
The first in the domestic marking of such lighting equipment is always the letter L. Following it is usually B, D or U. These letters indicate the spectrum of light emitted by the lamp:
B - white.
D - daytime.
U is a universal lamp.
That is, in the marking at the very beginning there can be a combination of the letters LB, LD or LU.
Differences in bulb diameter and length
This parameter in fluorescent lamps can vary within a fairly wide range. Many other technical characteristics directly depend on the diameter of the flask of such equipment:
spectrum;
luminosity;
life time.
It is believed that the thicker the fluorescent lamp, the longer it can last.
The diameter in the marking of such equipment, according to international standards, is indicated by the numbers following the beech T. Its unit is 1/8 inch. For example, the diameter of the bulb marked T8 will be 26 mm. Such lamps are currently very common. Also, equipment of this type with a bulb diameter of 18 and 38 mm is very popular on the market.
Sometimes the dimensions of the lamps in the marking can be given simply as numbers. For example, the designation 26/604 may be present on such equipment. In this case, the first digit will indicate the diameter, and the second - the length of the bulb in millimeters.
What might be the power
This parameter in the marking is indicated by the letter W and the numbers following it. Knowing the power of a fluorescent lamp, you can determine the area of which space it can be illuminated. For example, this indicator can be encoded as 11 W, 15 W, 20 W.
With regard to power, the designations in the marking of fluorescent lamps correspond to certain ciphers of the same equipment with a filament. These relationships are indicated in special tables. The data presented in them can greatly facilitate the choice of the buyer. For example, the designation 11 W will correspond to the power of an incandescent lamp of 55 W, 15 W - 75 W, 20 W - 100 W.
Decoding of the marking of fluorescent lamps: characteristics of the socles
Such elements may be included in the design of the lamp 1 or 2. In the first case, the marking will contain the designation FS, in the second - FD. Sometimes on fluorescent lamps you can see the code FB. So marked compact equipment with a built-in base type electronic ballasts.
The characteristics of this part of the design of fluorescent lamps are indicated by a letter and two numbers. Socles can be marked, for example, as:
The numbers following the letter in the marking indicate the outer diameter.
Launch equipment
Modern industry today produces two main varieties of fluorescent lamps:
in addition to which it is necessary to purchase a starter;
with the possibility of inclusion in the circuit with ballast, without starting equipment;
universal.
The first type of equipment is labeled Phs, the second is RS, the third is US. Sometimes the letters characterizing the method of starting the lamp may not be in the cipher. This means that the starter for this equipment is an obligatory element.
Marking starters for fluorescent lamps
Such starting devices are small discharge lamps with a smoldering charge. The following codes may be applied to the starter flask:
C - starter;
the numbers in front of it are power (60, 90, 120);
the numbers after it are the voltage (220, 127).
Also marking starters for fluorescent lamps may be western. In this case, on the equipment flasks:
in 220 V with a voltage of 4-80 W, the code S10, FS-U or ST111 is applied;
at 127 V with power up to 20 W - S2, FS-2, ST151.
Voltage
Most of the fluorescent lamps produced by the modern industry are designed for use in a standard household electrical network. That is, most often such equipment operates at a voltage of 220 V.
However, on sale today there are also fluorescent lamps for 127 and 75 V. The first type of such equipment, designed for low voltage, is used in the subway. 75 V lamps are usually installed in electric trains.
In the marking, the voltage necessary for such equipment is indicated directly. That is exactly 220 V, 127 V or 75 V.
Bulb shape
There are also many types of luminescent equipment for this parameter. In the marking of the lamp, the shape of its bulb can be indicated as:
The linear shape of the bulb in the lamp marking is not displayed in any way.
Additional information: color
Quite often, manufacturers in the marking of fluorescent lamps also display their characteristics such as color of light and light temperature.
In this case, the cipher will contain three digits. The first one displays the color rendering index. This indicator should not be confused with the luminosity spectrum. Most often, the color rendering index is determined by the color of the bulb. It indicates the degree of conformity declared by the manufacturer, the shade of natural. In the marking of fluorescent lamps by color, it is indicated as 1x10 Ra. That is, for example, in cipher 742 (number 7), the color rendering index of the equipment is 70 Ra.
The last two digits in the marking in this case indicate the color temperature of the light emitted by the lamp, measured in Kelvin. In our example, it will be equal to 4200 K. That is, a lamp with this marking will emit cold light.
Numbers indicating the color rendering index and temperature are usually put at the very end of the cipher on the lamp. Before combining them, the word Color is present.
What you should know about
In some cases, the usual three-digit coding of the color characteristics of the lamp in the coding may be replaced by a two-digit. For example:
- the number 33 corresponds to the code 640 (60 Ra, 4000 K);
- 54-765;
- 29-530.
Such markings can usually be seen only on obsolete old-style lamps.
Color according to index
Thus, in the marking of fluorescent lamps at the very end, there are often three numbers that determine the shade of the light emitted by them.
The color rendering index in equipment from different manufacturers can vary between 60-90 and more Ra (6-9 in the marking). The lower this indicator, the less the color of the lamp light matches the natural one. Lamps with an index of 60-80 Ra give a slightly more faded color, 81-90 and higher - very bright and saturated.
Color temperature
This indicator for fluorescent lamps can vary between 5000-8000 K. The higher the temperature parameter of such equipment, the more cold light it emits. It is believed that the lamp:
with a temperature of 2700-3500 K give a warm white color;
3500-4500 K - neutral white;
4500-6500 K and higher - cold white.
Ciphers for lamps of other varieties
In addition to luminescent, incandescent bulbs are, of course, very popular among domestic consumers. Also on the market in a wide assortment today are presented LED models. In this regard, the consumer may have a question about which marking does not apply to fluorescent lamps.
For example, LED models, in addition to power (W), such as a socle, color indicators and voltage in the cipher, there may be codes:
The bulb type code for LED lamps differs from the fluorescent cipher. In this case, the designation comes after the letter A.
An incandescent bulb code usually contains one or two Cyrillic letters and five numbers. In this case, the letters indicate the type of model (B - vacuum, B - spiral, W - spherical, BO - bi-spiral argon with an opal flask, etc.). The first three digits in the labeling of such equipment indicate the operating voltage, the last two - power. Sometimes in the cipher of such bulbs there is also the date of their release.
Osram Lamp Color Designations
The numbers after the word Color in the labeling of fluorescent equipment are one of the most important codes for the consumer. For example, popular Osram lamps can have the following color designations:
765 (70 ... 79 Ra, 6500 K);
865 (80 ... 89 Ra, 6500 K);
965 (90 ... 99 Ra, 6500 K);
954 (more than 90 Ra, 5400 K), etc.
Colors such as SKYWHITE and INTERNA are patented by this manufacturer. The first of them is indicated in the marking of Osram fluorescent lamps as 880 (80 ... 89, 8000 K), the second - 827 (80 ... 89, 2700 K).
Philips colors
Equipment of this brand also enjoys well-deserved popularity among domestic consumers. Philips fluorescent tubes are labeled as standard. The color rendition of this equipment can be indicated by numbers from 4 to 9. The temperature of lamps of this brand is encrypted by numbers from 27 to 65. Also, a series of markers (for example, TL-D) can be present in the marking of Philips models.
In addition to the usual, this manufacturer also produces luminescent equipment designed for installation in aquariums - TLD AQUARELLE. Such lamps differ from standard ones in that they emit light with a high density in the blue spectrum. This shade not only emphasizes the beauty of the underwater world, but also contributes to:
creating optimal conditions for photosynthesis;
stimulation of the formation of oxygen in water, which is very useful for fish.
The diameter of the bulbs of these lamps can be equal to 16 mm or 28 mm (T5, T9). Also in the TLD AQUARELLE marking there are codes G5 and G13, characterizing the parameters of the socles. The power of these lamps can be 8-58 watts.
Old domestic marking
At present, the lamps supplied to the Russian market are marked according to international standards. Old equipment manufactured in previous years may have another cipher - domestic. The marking in this case includes the letters of the Cyrillic alphabet:
L is the lamp.
D - daylight.
B - white.
T is warm.
E is natural.
X is cold.
For example, the LHB code will be affixed to a lamp with white cold light. For compact equipment of this type, the letter K is also provided at the beginning of the code. For fluorescent lamps with improved color rendition, one or two letters Ts are additionally present in the marking.
Domestic ciphers can also contain indications of the color of a narrow spectrum: red - K, yellow - F, etc. That is, the code for LC, LV, etc. will be on the flask.
Both international and Russian marking of fluorescent lamps gives the buyer, thus, comprehensive information about this particular model. Each letter or number applied to the flask, or a combination thereof, means a specific characteristic of the equipment. Knowing the parameter codes, it is easy to choose the lamp that is most suitable in this particular case.