I recently wrote an article for TED Magazine about extended-life linear 4-ft. fluorescent T8 lamps.

Industry averages:

* 20,000 hours at 3 hours/start on instant-start ballast (the most commonly installed electronic ballast)
* 24,000 hours at 12 hours/start on instant-start ballast
* 24,000 hours at 3 hours/start on a programmed-start ballast
* 30,000 hours at 12 hours/start on a programmed-start ballast

Extended-life lamps raised the bar on fluorescent lamp life, with new-generation lamps pushing it even higher.

Depending on the manufacturer and lamp, extended-life lamps can offer service life of:

* 24,000-36,000 hours at 3 hours/start start on an instant-start ballast
* 30,000-40,000 hours at 12 hours/start on an instant-start ballast
* 24,000-40,000 hours at 3 hours/start on a programmed-start ballast
* 36,000-46,000 hours at 12 hours/start on a programmed start ballast

Some of these lamps (“premium fluorescent lamps”) are premium versions of standard lamps, combining the benefit of longer life with other high-end performance features such as additional energy savings, low mercury, RoHS compliance, and, in some cases, an extended lamp warranty. The lamps at the high end of the range of rated life may be recognizable via a suffix at the end of the lamp’s nomenclature, such as XL, XLL (Philips Extra Long Life), and SXL (GE Super X-tra Life).

There are also a number of extended-life T5 lamps available as well.

The lamps are ideal for projects where lower maintenance demands and a higher degree of sustainability are desired.

The best white LED products offer about 50,000 hours under optimal field conditions. Fluorescent will not go down without a fight.

You can read the complete article here, courtesy of TED Magazine.

Craig DiLouie

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