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FLUORESCENT
LAMPS
There are six different categories of fluorescent lamps:
1. Standard Bi-pin (T8 and Tl2)
2. Miniature (T5)
3. Mod-U-Line
4. Circline
5. The Biax range - Biax, Biax D, T, Q and 2D
Figure 2.15. Fluorescent lamp categories.
Fluorescent Tube Diameter
This is measured in eighths of an inch and has the
prefix "T" so T8 is a tube of one inch in diameter.
Customers may quote metric measurements. 16mm is T5, 26mm is T8
and 38mm is T12.
Apart from the standard types mentioned above there are special
types from America, some of which are imported into Europe:
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Watt-Miser
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Slimline
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High Output
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Powergroove
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Tl0
These usually require non-European standard control gear and so
demand is limited to equipment imported from North America with
lighting already built in. A significant proportion of these lamps
is not available direct from GE in Europe.
Fluorescent
Lamp Caps
For the straight tubes there are just two caps for the
three lamp diameters.
Figure 2.16. Fluorescent lamp caps.
Note that the pin spacing is the same for T8 and Tl2
lamps so in most cases lamps of the same length are
interchangeable. Some modern luminaires may not accept T12 lamps
if the lampholders are designed to position a T8 lamp very close
to the luminaire body or louvre. Old luminaires may also be
incompatible electrically.
Other fluorescent lamp caps include:
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Single pin - used on Slimline lamps (not interchangeable
with the European TLX lamp)
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Four pin - used on Circline, Biax and Biax 2D
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Two pin - used on Biax and Biax 2D
Figure 2.17. Other fluorescent lamp caps. |
