The use of incandescent lamps has long been obsolete. They were replaced by a new invention, which became very popular even despite more high cost. These lamps are called energy-saving or simply “housekeepers”.
The main feature of such elements is low consumption electrical energy. It is this property that led to their popularization in all countries of the world. In some states, with the advent of “housekeepers,” bans on the use of incandescent light bulbs were introduced.
But if the design of an ordinary light bulb is simple and clear, then energy-saving ones pose a mystery to many. This article will help you find out whether energy-saving elements are really so useful and economical.
Application area
When energy-saving lamps appeared, they were more often used in office premises. Over time, they began to actively fill markets and electrical goods stores. This led to the fact that the cost of “housekeepers” decreased and their availability increased for all categories of the population.
Energy-saving lamps A great way to save electricity, which is becoming more expensive every year.
Having tested energy-saving light bulbs in action, people are convinced of their effectiveness and try to switch only to this type of lighting.
These lamps are mainly used in residential areas. Less commonly used in cellars, hallways and corridors, as well as for illuminating the territory of a private house at night.
The use of such lamps is also widespread in the housing and communal services sector. In staircases, where conventional lamps often burn out, “housekeepers” are very convenient to use. Their service life allows them to be used for a long time. Even if a defect occurs in the device and the lamp burns out before the specified period, it can always be replaced under warranty. Every year more and more apartment sectors are switching to energy saving types lighting.
How to choose the right one
Manufacturers produce “housekeepers” with different parameters and product quality.
When choosing an energy-saving lamp, pay attention to its size, otherwise it will not fit in a chandelier or lamp.
First, let's select the optimal shape:
- spiral;
- U-shaped;
- semi-spiral.
The lighting and operating modes of all types of lamps are almost the same, the only differences are in the form of their manufacture and cost. The spiral one is more expensive due to the complexity of the design.
“Economies” vary in power consumption. The power range ranges from 3 to 120 W. It is worth paying attention to this, because the brightness of its glow depends on the power. If necessary to illuminate large room, then high power lamps are used.
Bulbs are produced with different diameters plinths that have various applications. Some are designed for wall lamps only, others for ceiling chandeliers and spotlights.
Quality directly depends on the manufacturer. It is not recommended to purchase Chinese lamps at a low cost.
Energy saving lamps, various in shape and color
Service life also plays a role important role when selecting. If the lamp warranty is 1 year, then the “housekeeper” has low quality indicators. Normal manufacturing companies provide a guarantee for their products for up to three years.
When heading to the electrical goods store to buy an energy-saving lamp, it is important to remember the following:
- Form;
- Base type;
- Power;
- Life time;
- Color rendering;
- Manufacturer.
Advantages
What advantages do “housekeepers” have? These include the following important indicators:
- High luminous efficiency properties. “Housekeepers” allow you to emit a luminous flux many times greater than that of conventional lamps. Cost-effectiveness lies in the fact that maximum electricity consumption is converted into luminous flux.
- Long service life. Average quality bulbs can burn continuously for up to 15,000 hours.
- Variety of color streams. Incandescent lamps do not have the ability to adjust the color of the glow. “Housekeepers” come in three types of glow: warm, cold and daylight.
- Minor release of thermal energy. This property indicates that the energy consumed is used specifically for the formation of a luminous flux. The low heating of the device allows it to be used in floor lamps made of fabric and plastic. Regular light bulbs heat up the fabric and can cause a fire.
- Soft and uniform distribution of light rays. The light spreads throughout the room with the same glow.
- Low power consumption at high lighting levels. Savings can be up to 75% compared to standard incandescent light bulbs
“Housekeepers” save financial resources users
Flaws
Along with such quality indicators Energy-saving lamps also have their disadvantages. They are as follows:
- Long time for maximum luminous flux to occur when the lamp is turned on. This time ranges from 3 seconds and sometimes up to 2 minutes. This phenomenon is especially often noticed when the “housekeeper” is operated in a cold room.
- Energy-saving lamps emit rays that are harmful to people suffering from skin diseases. The use of a light source for such people is not permitted at a distance closer than 30 cm. The higher the power of the lamp, the more ultraviolet radiation they emit.
- Sensitivity to voltage changes. When the voltage of the 220 V network decreases by 10%, they can turn off on their own. They do not turn on at a reduced voltage of 195 V. The lamps cannot be used in luminaires with dimmers.
- Low frost resistance. Turning on and operating an energy-saving lamp in cold weather sub-zero temperature(-15 and below) is impossible.
- Contents in the structure harmful substances: mercury and phosphorus. These substances are not dangerous when lit, but pose a hazard if the lamp breaks. Once unusable, they require special disposal.
- Periodic appearance of flickering. This is not normal and indicates a possible failure in the near future.
- High price. To switch the entire house to this type of lighting will require considerable financial costs.
Hazards of Mercury Vapors
Mercury is chemical reagent, which is one of the most dangerous for humans. Almost all energy-saving lamps have mercury vapor in their design, or rather, inside the glass bulb. Their content is 3-5 mg, which is a lethal dose for humans. During operation of the lamp, this mercury is absolutely harmless, it is not released from it and does not affect the human body in any way.
If the lamp breaks, the risk of human poisoning by mercury vapor increases.
If an energy-saving lamp breaks, you should immediately ventilate the room and dispose of it.
Measures taken in time will not lead to any dangerous consequences. Disposal must be carried out correctly. After all, the industry produces millions of energy-saving lamps a day, and there are very few collection points. In this regard, people throw away lamps with household waste, which is unacceptable and causes enormous damage to the environment!
If in locality If it is not possible to hand over energy-saving light bulbs to a recycling company, it is better to choose ones that do not contain hazardous substances.
A few words about the manufacturers
Since the advent of energy-saving lamps, the number of manufacturers of this light source is growing every day. The most popular (in terms of price) are products made in China. The cost of high-quality elements is an order of magnitude higher than Chinese ones, but the long service life and high technical parameters pay for the costs.
Among the most popular and high-quality manufacturing companies are the following:
- OSRAM;
- Philips;
- Photon;
- Maxus.
These brands have really great technical indicators. Manufacturers provide a guarantee for their products for up to 3 years. Production bases are located in Germany, Italy and other countries.
Companies producing energy-saving lamps of average quality:
- Space;
- Navigator;
- Wolta;
- Nakai.
Manufacturers of economy class products (quality level is satisfactory):
- Electrum;
- Volta;
- Deluxe;
- SunLuxe.
Manufacturers of high-quality energy-saving lamps do not use liquid mercury in the manufacture of bulbs, but special type amalgam alloy. In this alloy, mercury is in a bound state. This allows it, when the flask is broken, not to dissolve in the air, but to remain in a bound state.
Main technical parameters
Energy saving lamps consist of a base, bulb and starting device. Lamp bulbs are filled with mercury vapor or inert gas argon. The white substance on the glass of the flask is a phosphor. It is also used in fluorescent lamps.
The operating principle of such lamps is based on the supply high voltage into a flask with steam. The voltage is increased by a trigger installed inside the plastic shell of the lamp.
High voltage causes continuous movement of electrons. These electrons collide with mercury atoms and produce ultraviolet light inside the bulb. Ultraviolet light passes through the phosphor and causes a glow that is perceived by human vision.
The principle of formation of visible light in energy-saving light bulbs
To the main technical parameters“housekeepers” include:
- power;
- Colorful temperature;
- light output;
- types of socles.
Power
This is an important indicator when choosing an energy-saving lamp to illuminate a room. “Economies”, when consumed low power, are capable of producing a luminous flux 80% higher than that of incandescent lamps. can be replaced with an energy-saving one with a power of 10 W.
Below is a table of the ratio of the power of incandescent lamps and “housekeepers” with the number of lumens they produce.
| “Housekeeper” power, W | Incandescent lamp power, W | Luminous flux, Lm |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 25 | 220 |
| 8 | 40 | 420 |
| 12 | 60 | 720 |
| 20 | 100 | 1360 |
| 30 | 150 | 1900 |
| 45 | 225 | 2600 |
| 65 | 325 | 3590 |
| 85 | 425 | 4875 |
| 105 | 525 | 5985 |
| 120 | 600 | 7125 |
The table shows how much you can save on electricity if you use energy-saving elements.
As mentioned above, energy-saving lamps can emit three different types of glow, depending on the temperature of the radiation:
- Warm radiation has a glow temperature of 2700 degrees Kelvin. Warm light is suitable for rooms where there is no need for visual strain. Best suited for bedrooms and kitchens.
- Daylight – 4200K. It will be an excellent solution for lighting children's rooms and living rooms. This glow is closer to natural light.
- Cold – 6400 degrees Kelvin. For office spaces where prolonged visual strain is required, lamps emitting cold light are suitable.
Visualization of the “color temperature” characteristic
If your eyes get tired of the light that the device emits. This is evidence that the color temperature of the lamp was incorrectly selected for the given room.
Luminous output
Luminous efficiency is the ability to spread the luminous flux, measured in lumens Lm, and directly dependent on the power of the lamp. The more powerful the energy-saving lamp, the faster and more intensely the electrons move inside the bulb, interacting with atoms. A table characterizing the amount of luminous flux versus power is presented above.
Almost all packages indicate the power and luminous flux of the lamp that it emits.
Types of socles
In order to avoid the need to replace the sockets of many lamps and chandeliers, “housekeepers” are produced with standard E27 base types. The number 27 indicates the diameter of the base in mm.
There is also a small base, marked E14, designed for small lamp sockets or floor lamps.
Manufacturers have not forgotten about floodlight sockets into which lamps with an E40 socket must be screwed.
Energy-saving lamps have characterized themselves with positive side and became very popular. Along with negative properties, they still have more positive ones.
After the first month of operation, savings in energy consumption will be noticeable. All that remains is to synchronize the recycling of energy-saving lamps with production, and financial savings in the family will be guaranteed.
Video about the design of energy-saving light bulbs
To completely dispel doubts regarding this type of element, watch the detailed video material. It describes in detail and shows the principle of operation, as well as an “opening” of light sources and their detailed analysis.
Arranging lighting in an apartment and in your yard is quite a difficult task. With so many different light source models out there, choosing one can be lengthy and really complicated. After all, if you choose lighting that does not suit your requirements, you will remain dissatisfied, and you may have to spend extra money for replacement.
In this article we will help you choose powerful energy-saving lamps for you. Let's talk about the principle of their operation and how they are designed. Let's write down what types exist and compare them with the most popular models, such as halogen, incandescent and LED. We will describe the process of selecting a device and tell you which manufacturers are best to choose.
The structure and principle of operation of the lamp
Often the same. They consist of a base - a base. He can be different types, but mainly the varieties E27 and E40 are found. It is equipped with two contacts for connection, the plus is located on the back in the form of a point, and the minus is directed towards the entire base.
Also, the walls are made in the form of a spiral thread, making it possible to screw the base into a standard e27 and e40 socket.
The outer visible part of the lamp is represented by a glass spiral, which is filled with special vapors, which ignite when current is applied and the entire system is triggered. Usually the tube contains mercury vapor, which emits light. Due to this design feature, llamas cannot be thrown away, but must be disposed of in special receptacles.
Curved spiral design due to the fact that thanks to this shape the lamp is much more compact with quite long length glass tube. This was done in order to significantly save space and allow the devices to be used in standard home luminaires.
A special electrical diagram, which is responsible for ignition and stabilization of the device. It also sells the current necessary for the lamp to function. You can call such a component a ballast mechanism, but simply it is called electronic ballast.
This device works according to the following principle. After the current supply starts, it flows to the electrodes and heats them to the required temperature. After achieving the desired heating, the process of thermionic emission occurs. The electrodes then begin to release a stream of electrons, which collide with the atoms, which in turn begin to emit light.
But mercury by its nature emits only ultraviolet light, which is invisible to the human eye. Here the phosphor comes into play, converting it and producing a visible spectrum of light. The thermal indicator of the light of such lamps ranges from 2700 to 6500K. It depends on the type of phosphor.
Such a device is capable of emitting its own visible light, but its share is only two percent, the rest of the light is ultraviolet, which interacts with the phosphor. The visible part of the light does not participate in the transformation in any way and remains unchanged.
A short comparison with analogues
The technical characteristics of energy-saving lamps differ significantly from other similar devices. Therefore, to make sure whether you need exactly such a light bulb, you should compare it with similar analogues.
For comparison, it is worth choosing the most common light sources, such as halogen lamps, LED and incandescent lamps.
Very often, manufacturers like to compare a fluorescent lamp with an incandescent lamp right on the packaging. Adding a visual comparison of some technical characteristics, such as power, or adding flashy names that outline the essence of the difference itself.
We will compare them according to the following criteria: power, emitted light flux, required voltage, durability, type of base. The power of light bulbs is completely different, and it is generally accepted to compare it with the power of incandescent lamps; this is a kind of constant constant.
Halogen lamps have approximately the same performance as a similar incandescent light bulb. LEDs, on the contrary, have up to ten times less power. Energy-saving lamps have a power rating of approximately 15 watts, which is equivalent to a 60-watt light bulb.
Comparing different types of lamps
The average 15-watt light bulb is capable of emitting about eight hundred lumens. The emission rate of halogen lamps will be several times lower. LEDs, with such power, will be able to produce more than one and a half thousand lumens.
All listed devices are capable of operating from a 220 volt network. Only LED lights require additional equipment, since their standard operating voltage is 12 volts. But you can purchase a device with a built-in transformer to create the required voltage indicator.
Base E27 and E40 have incandescent lamps and LED fluorescent devices. Halogen ones require the use of a specialized lamp with a special connection diagram. Although there are options with a regular base E27 or E40.
The devices differ significantly in terms of service life; having the same power, they can last the following number of hours:
- Incandescent lamp - on average 1000 hours.
- Halogen - about 2-3 thousand hours.
- Luminescent devices - 10-15 thousand working hours.
- LED – more than 50,000.
Based on this, it can be assumed that energy-saving light bulbs have quite good performance in comparison with its analogues. They do not compromise on it at all and will be able to satisfy your needs in full.
In terms of popularity and with a more in-depth analysis of their characteristics, energy-saving light bulbs take an honorable second place after LED ones.
Choosing an energy-saving lamp
Having chosen the right device to illuminate your room, you will be completely satisfied with your choice and it will suit all the wishes and requirements for the place where you install the light bulb.
What indicators should you pay attention to:
- The first thing to note is the installation location. Not every room will have such light bulbs that can function properly. The same applies to the lamp; if installed in the bathroom, it is necessary to select a waterproof lamp.
- Requirement for luminous flux power. Depending on your personal wishes and the need to create a certain level of light, you should choose the power of the light bulb. For example, for working area You should choose more powerful devices to ensure the required luminous flux. For a bedroom or table reading lamp, a low-power device is sufficient. If you want to fully illuminate your yard, then buy a high-power fluorescent lamp.
- The type of socket in which the light bulb will be installed. You should select a light bulb so that it is equipped with an E27 or E40 base; these two options are the most common in home lamps. The e27 and e40 sockets are compatible with the e27 and e40 sockets, respectively.
- When choosing a device to illuminate a home nursery or aquarium, you should choose a lamp specifically for such purposes. There are also varieties for indoor and outdoor use. They have varying degrees of protection from dust and moisture.
Which manufacturer is better
You shouldn’t sift out all the cheap manufacturers at once and stop only at expensive brands. As a rule, absolutely everyone has a share of marriage. And whether you will fall into this unpleasant percentage by paying a lot of money or a meager amount is completely unknown and unpredictable.
Less popular and budget brands use in their devices cheap materials. This is precisely due to the low price. But it is not a fact that they all produce low-quality products. As often happens, such devices work no worse than their expensive counterparts, but their service life may be shorter.
Energy-saving incandescent lighting is the first step that needs to be taken towards saving electrical energy consumption. Many have already replaced their usual light bulbs with fluorescent (compact and linear) and LED. The latter, although expensive, are currently the most economical. Energy-saving lamps are devices with high luminous efficiency, and the higher it is, the more energy is saved. In this article we will compare lamps based on their main parameters.
Appearance of lamps: incandescent, compact fluorescent and LED
Main characteristics
The main characteristics include the following indicators:
- lamp power, measured in W (watts);
- luminous efficiency or light output (brightness), measured in Lm/W (lumen/watt);
- color rendering index, measured in %.
The wattage of a light bulb indicates the amount of energy consumed per hour, the luminous efficiency indicator indicates how much light it produces per 1 watt expended, and the color rendering index indicates compliance. sunlight(ideally should be 100%).
What kind of illumination should there be or how much light is needed to perform certain tasks? To do this, use the unit of illumination lux (lux). It shows the level of illumination that is created by a luminous flux of 1 lm, evenly distributed over a surface of 1 m2.
Illumination must comply with the standards established by legislative documents (SNiPs). It's not hard to check. To do this, it is enough to make simple calculations. It is necessary to calculate the total power of the lamps, W, which are either installed in a particular room, or are planned to be installed, multiply the resulting figure by the light output of the light bulbs in lm (indicated in the lamp passport) and divide by the area of the room in m2. Compare the obtained calculations with standard indicators.
Principle of operation
In incandescent light bulbs, the light source is the electrical conductor. current, made of refractory wire, which under its action becomes heated and begins to glow. The conductor itself is placed in a glass flask filled with an inert gas. To connect to the power source, use a base, which for a standard light bulb used in everyday life is marked E27.
Regular incandescent light bulb
A type of incandescent light bulbs are halogen lamps, which differ from conventional lighting fixtures only in materials and manufacturing technology. Additive to inert gases, located in the flask, bromine or iodine vapor (halogens) brings the color rendering index closer to 100% and increases light output. This advantage is appreciated by car headlight manufacturers. On the roads, such factors as clarity of the subject and illumination are important, which made it possible to implement these 2 important advantages in the production of automobile headlights.
Standard halogen bulb
U fluorescent lamps under the influence of electricity current, a gas discharge occurs, which is emitted in ultraviolet light. This promotes the glow of the phosphor that coats the inside of the light bulb. The service life of such energy-saving products exceeds traditional incandescent lamps by tens of times. Currently, the range of manufactured lamps is extensive; they differ in the shape of the tubes, power and type of connection to the supply network.
Fluorescent compact lamp
In LED light bulbs, the filament body is a semiconductor. When passing el. current it generates optical radiation. IN area р-n transition, part of the energy is released in the form of visible light. For the first time such a unique product appeared in 1962, since then its production technology has been improved, and today the market for these products is the most extensive. The effectiveness of LED lamps has been proven over time.
Various LED light bulbs
Correspondence table
LED lamps are superior to other types of lamps in the following key indicators:
- energy consumption;
- light output;
- heat generation;
- impact resistance;
- environmental friendliness;
- fire safety;
- service life.
Comparative characteristics lamps by power
| Lamp type | Power in watts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glow- nia | 25 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 75 | 100 | 120 | 150 | 200 | 250 |
| Halogen | 15 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 45 | 60 | 72 | 90 | 120 | 150 |
| Lumines- cent | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 15 | 20 | 24 | 36 | 45 | 55 |
| Light-emitting diode- Naya | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 18 | 22 | 26 | 30 |
| Stream of light in lumens | 220 | 415 | 550 | 710 | 935 | 1340 | 1700 | 2160 | 3040 | 3900 |
The table shows that the energy consumption of LED products is the lowest, so lighting devices of this type are the most economical. How many lumens are in the lamp? This indicator depends on the power of the light bulb. The light flux in lumens is shown in the table.
The color of the luminous flux of LED products can be very different. It is determined chemical composition LED. Sometimes, for this purpose, lamps are installed in the design different LEDs and light filters, which allows you to obtain a glow in a wide range of the spectrum.
It is also customary to compare light bulbs according to the following indicators:
- degree of heating;
- anti-vandalism;
- service life.
During operation, incandescent and halogen lamps become very hot. It is known that a little more than 20% of the power is spent on lighting an incandescent light bulb, the rest goes to heating it. For halogen light bulbs, these figures are respectively 35 and 65%, for fluorescent light bulbs - 75 and 25%, and for LED light bulbs on average - 97 and 3%.
In terms of structural strength, incandescent and halogen lamps are the most fragile. LED bulb bulbs are made of impact-resistant material and can withstand falls from low heights. The situation is worse with fluorescent lamps, although their housing is much stronger than the housing of incandescent lamps, but from an environmental point of view, its destruction has a detrimental effect on health. Therefore, they must undergo special disposal.
And finally, the service life, which is usually indicated in hours. The palm belongs again to LED lighting devices. In practice, their service life ranges from 25 to 100 thousand hours and this depends on the production technology, the materials used and the manufacturer. Other types of light bulbs last much less, for example, incandescent lamps - 1 thousand hours, halogen lamps - 4 thousand hours, fluorescent lamps - no more than 10 thousand hours.
Lamp repair. Video
About do-it-yourself repair energy-saving lamps will be explained in detail in this video.
There is only one conclusion: in all respects, including design, which can be very different, LED light bulbs are significantly superior to other types of lamps. The comparative characteristics of the lamps indicated in the table clearly demonstrate the difference.
The only drawback of these products is their high cost. But their long service life and their obvious energy efficiency will pay off quickly. If there is a desire and need to save energy consumption, then you need to start by replacing the lamps with energy-saving ones and preferably immediately with LED ones.
It is difficult to imagine how a century and a half ago humanity managed without lighting lamps. After the appearance of this miracle of technology for a long time we were content with ordinary incandescent lamps, but they, like candles and kerosene lamps, are already fading into oblivion. They are being replaced by more economical lamps that consume less electricity and last for years. But how can we, who are accustomed to focusing only on the power of an ordinary lamp and its base, choose the right energy-saving lamp for our home and apartment, since there are a huge number of them on store shelves? We were helped to figure it out by real experts in this field, employees of the online store 220svet.ru, who have been helping Russians make their lives brighter for several years in a row and are selling various kinds of lamps and fixtures.
The store delivers products to all regions of Russia, and for long years work has managed to establish cooperation with major manufacturers, and therefore offers competitive prices to its customers. The company sells a huge number of lamps different types and power, the entire range can be found on the page https://220svet.ru/catalog/lampochki/. In addition, the online store sells floor lamps, sconces, spots, chandeliers, desk lamp and other lighting items, offering customers a guarantee on all products.
No. 1. When can you not do without energy-saving lamps?
The whole world has recognized that energy-saving light bulbs are the future, but cheap incandescent light bulbs are still sold en masse. So which lamps are best to use? For lamps that operate at least 2-3 hours a day, it is better to take energy-saving lamps. In this case, the purchase will pay off within a couple of years, and then full savings will begin.
When we're talking about about a lamp that is turned on infrequently and for a few minutes a day (for example, in basements and attics), then it would be more economical to use an incandescent lamp, at least while they are still on sale. By the way, the government of the country has already limited the sale of incandescent lamps with a power of more than 100 W and its next step will most likely be a ban on lamps with a power of more than 50 W. 
No. 2. Types of energy saving lamps
Energy-saving lamps include:
- fluorescent lamps;
- LED bulbs.
Looking ahead, we note that LED lamps are superior to fluorescent lamps in all respects: they are more durable, completely harmless, do not flicker, and their luminous flux does not decrease over time. LED lamps lose only in terms of price, but they are more economical in operation.
Both versions of energy-saving lamps differ from incandescent lamps in that all electricity is converted into visible light, while “Ilyich light bulbs” lose a significant part of the energy by converting it into heat. 
Sometimes energy-saving lamps include halogen lamps., which is not entirely correct. They are 2-3 times more durable than conventional incandescent lamps, but are still significantly inferior to their LED and fluorescent counterparts. A halogen lamp is actually the same as an incandescent lamp, only filled with bromine or iodine vapor (substances belonging to the halogen group). In a conventional lamp, the tungsten atoms from which the coil is made begin to evaporate at high temperatures and deposit on colder surfaces. This is the main reason for their low durability. If you add halogens to the flask, they will react with tungsten, and the resulting compounds will then decompose into their original components: part of the tungsten returns to the spiral, and durability increases.
The service life of halogen lamps is 2-4 thousand hours, but when used together with a dimmer, the durability increases to 8-12 thousand hours. Such lamps have high quality color rendering, they are small, can be produced in interesting shapes and do not require specific disposal. Not the longest service life and low efficiency still do not allow halogen lamps to be classified as energy-saving. 
No. 3. Fluorescent energy saving lamps
Fluorescent lamps 5-20 times more durable than incandescent bulbs and uses 75% less electricity to produce the same light output. Visible light technology this is fundamentally different. In fluorescent lamps, an electrical discharge passes through vapors of mercury and inert gases, causing ultraviolet glow. When passing through a layer of phosphor applied to the inner surface of the lamp bulb, it produces visible light.
It is more correct to call those lamps that are used in everyday life compact fluorescent lamps(CFL), since non-compact ones are also manufactured, which have very long bulbs and are used in large rooms. CFLs usually have a bulb in the shape of a twisted spiral and traditional screw bases, so these lamps can easily replace conventional incandescent lamps. 
Advantages of fluorescent lamps:
Disadvantages of fluorescent lamps:
- the need for careful operation and proper disposal, since such lamps contain mercury, the amount of which can range from 2.3 mg to 1 g;
- sensitivity to voltage drops and frequent starts, which reduces service life. Experts do not recommend using fluorescent lamps in public places or equipping them with motion sensors. It is better not to turn off these lamps if you leave the room for a short time. The optimal indicator for achieving the greatest durability is 5 inclusions per day;
- The lamp needs some time to begin to shine at its maximum capacity. At room temperature this takes about 30-45 seconds;
- over time, the luminous flux of the lamp will decrease, which is associated with degradation of the phosphor, so it is better to take a lamp with a small power reserve;
- unpleasant flickering;
- complex connection diagram;
- sensitivity to high temperatures, therefore it is better not to use such lamps in lamps that limit heat dissipation.
When using fluorescent lamps at low temperatures their light output will be lower than stated. Such lamps cannot be used with dimmers. It is very rare on sale, but you can find lamps with adjustable brightness, but they cost several times more than regular ones and do not have a long service life. 
No. 4. LED bulbs
LED lamps are the pinnacle of light bulb evolution. They do not have the disadvantages characteristic of their analogues, they consume 6-10 times less electricity than incandescent lamps, and are several times more durable than fluorescent lamps. There are no tungsten spirals or harmful substances in such lamps - the light source is an LED, the complex principle of which allows one to dispense with the use of dangerous and toxic compounds.
The LED bulb can be part of a single piece or sold as a replacement bulb. The latter becomes the object of our attention. 
Basic advantages of LED lamps:
Basic flaw Such lamps are expensive. There is an opportunity to save money - lamps from nameless Chinese manufacturers, but it is better not to buy them. Moreover, many Chinese and even some domestic producers somewhat overestimate the characteristics of their lamps - it is better to take products from famous European companies. LED lamps are sensitive to high temperatures, so they cannot be used in saunas. 
No. 5. Lamp power and luminous flux
Conventional incandescent lamps have been in use for so long that when choosing, we are accustomed to looking mainly at power as a key indicator. We all understand how a 40 W or 60 W lamp will shine. The power of energy-saving lamps is several times lower (4-25 W), so for many, purchasing a suitable lamp raises many questions. Manufacturers make this task easier for us and indicate on the packaging the equivalent power, i.e. tell us how an economical light bulb will shine, comparing it with the luminous flux of an incandescent lamp of a certain power (for example, on a fluorescent lamp it may be written “8 W corresponds to 40 W”).
The manufacturer's concern is pleasant, but educated people should understand that lamp power and light output are not the same thing, and the familiar watt is a unit of power. Luminous flux is measured in lumens. To make it easier to understand: a 40 W incandescent lamp gives a luminous flux of 470-500 lm, 60 W – 700-850 lm, 75 W – 900-1200 lm. Now, when studying the packaging of an economical lamp, you can already roughly imagine how it will shine. 
When choosing a lamp with the required brightness level, you can also rely on power equivalent. For fluorescent lamps you can use a factor of 5: if it is indicated that the lamp has a power of 12 W, then this means that it will shine like a 60 W incandescent lamp. For LED this coefficient is about 7-8: a 10-12 W lamp will shine like a 75 W incandescent lamp. 
The dependence of the luminous flux on power allows us to judge the efficiency of the lamp and its light output, which is measured in lm/W. Incandescent lamps for every 1 W of electricity consumed provide only 10-16 lm of ceiling light, i.e. have a light output of 10-16 lm/W. Halogen lamps have a light output of 15-22 lm/W, fluorescent lamps - 40-80 lm/W, LED lamps - 60-90 lm/W.
No. 6. Colorful temperature
A lamp with the same power can produce light different shades, warmer or colder. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin and must be indicated on the lamp packaging. On sale you can find lamps with temperatures from 2700 K to 6500 K: The lower the value, the warmer and yellower the light will be. 
When choosing, you can focus on the following standards:
It is undesirable to use lamps with different color temperatures in the same room - this will cause discomfort, and if it is constant, vision problems may arise. 
No. 7. Color rendering index
The light source can greatly influence a person's perception of colors. We all know how different the same shade can be under different lighting. Sunlight is considered the reference, its color rendering index CRI is 100. For artificial light this figure is slightly lower, but the closer it is to 100, the more correct and natural colors we will see. All modern energy-saving lamps have CRI 80 or more– this is normal color rendition. 
Color rendering and color temperature in the markings are encrypted three-digit code, for example, 830, where the first digit indicates the color rendering index (in our case it comes out to CRI 80), and the last two indicate the color temperature (3000 K). 
No. 8. Life time
The manufacturer usually indicates durability in hours, but this parameter may not be entirely clear to the average user - it is more convenient for us to count in years. On average, with normal conditions In operation, an LED lamp will last 10-15 years, a fluorescent lamp will last about 5 years. Manufacturers provide a guarantee for LED lamps.
No. 9. Base type
Still considered the most popular classic Edison base with a diameter of 27 mm, which is denoted E27. Most household lamps are designed to install lamps with just such a base. This was the standard for incandescent lamps, and manufacturers of energy-saving lamps did everything for user convenience and mass-produced lamps with an E27 base. Some sconces, table lamps and small lamps may require lamps with a smaller base - E14. Large, powerful luminaires usually use lamps with a base E40. If it is difficult to determine which base a lamp is needed with, you can go to a store with old lamp incandescent
Also used in everyday life compact lamps with pin contacts. In them, the base is marked with the letter G and the number following it, which indicates the distance between the pins in mm, for example G10. 
No. 10. Bulb shape and brightness adjustment
If it is necessary for the lamp to provide not only light, but also perform a decorative function, then it is better to choose LED bulbs, which may be in the form candles, ball etc. Halogen and incandescent lamps provide even greater choice in this regard, but you won’t be able to save money with them. Fluorescent lamps They are produced only in the form of spirals and tubes. 
If things are not so bad with the shape of the bulb of energy-saving lamps, then with brightness adjustment everything is much worse. Of course, it is possible to find a sample that can be connected to a dimmer, but it will not be cheap, and an economical lamp still does not implement all the possibilities for adjusting the brightness. If you want to use a dimmer, it is better to take a halogen lamp.
Finally
To ensure that the energy-saving lamp meets your expectations, buy products famous manufacturers (Philips, OSRAM, GE, Ecola) and ask about the warranty period. To normal LED lamp The warranty will be 2-3 years, not 6 months.
Content:Artificial lighting has long been firmly established in our daily life. All kinds of light sources are used everywhere - in houses, apartments, premises, offices, objects industrial production. Most consumers use conventional incandescent lamps with a power of 40, 60 and 100 watts. However, everyone knows that they have a very low efficiency. Only half of the electricity is spent on lighting, the other half is spent on heating the light bulb itself. In this regard, energy-saving lamps are becoming increasingly popular.
The principle of operation of energy-saving lamps
This type of lamp, despite its high cost, is becoming increasingly widespread in many areas of people’s lives and activities. These light sources are compact in size and do not require a starter to start the lighting.
An important advantage of energy-saving light bulbs is their almost silent operation and very simple connection. All of them are equipped with threaded bases that simply screw into the desired lamp. The main advantages of these lamps include high reliability and efficiency, reaching 80%.
The principle of operation of energy-saving light bulbs is quite simple. Each lamp is filled with vapors of inert gases. First of all, it is argon, neon, and in some cases krypton. Some models use mercury vapor. When electricity enters the lamp, the cathode is heated and electrons are subsequently emitted. Under their influence, ionization occurs gas mixture. As a result, a plasma with ultraviolet light is formed, which cannot be seen with the naked eye. Ultraviolet produces illumination of the phosphor covering the walls of the bulb. Ultimately, the phosphor produces ordinary visible light.
Characteristics
The most important indicator of each energy saving light bulbs its low power consumption is considered. Almost all the received power is converted into . There are tables to compare the performance of energy-saving lamps and conventional incandescent light bulbs. They clearly show the difference between lamps with the same light output. Thus, the difference is approximately 5 times. That is, with the same glow, a regular light bulb consumes 100 watts, and an energy-saving light bulb consumes 20 watts.
Table of power of energy-saving lamps and incandescent lamps.
The effective operation of a light bulb is determined by the luminous flux, which is an important distinguishing characteristic of each lighting fixture. This parameter is measured in lumens and the brightness of the glow directly depends on it.
The most important characteristic and feature of energy-saving lamps is. Modern models Available in threaded and pin versions. Some designs have sealed contact and may be non-standard. In any case, each base must be selected according to the cartridge.
Table of light parameters
One of the parameters characterizing a light bulb is color temperature. To measure it, there is a special Kelvin temperature scale. First of all, the degree of whiteness of the illumination emitted by the lamp is determined.
The main color temperatures include the following:
- Warm white, with an indicator below 3000 K.
- Neutral white (natural light), in the range of 3000-5000 K.
- Daytime white (cold light) is over 5000 K.
In living spaces, it is recommended to use soothing and relaxing warm shades. For office premises the most the best option there will be light of cold tones. Natural light with a color temperature of 2800-3500 K is perceived best.
An important indicator is the luminous efficiency parameter, measured in lm/W. It determines the productivity of electricity and the amount of light produced by a particular light bulb. Great importance has the level of illumination of any surface, measured in lux (lx).
Broadcast natural tones The color of illuminated objects is determined using the color rendering index. For light bulbs, this indicator is related to spectral radiation. Absolutely correct transmission is indicated by the Ra index. A decrease in this indicator indicates a deterioration in color rendering properties.
Other indicators
The service life of energy-saving lamps is of no small importance. Normal operation largely depends on the number and speed of switching and other design parameters. These indicators allow us to determine all the costs that determine economic feasibility purchasing such devices.
Product labeling makes it much easier right choice lighting device. There are special tables that are recommended to be used when purchasing energy-saving lamps.
Possible malfunctions and repairs
During the operation of energy-saving lamps, various malfunctions and breakdowns may occur:
- If the voltage is too high, the capacitor may swell and leak, causing the lamp to stop working. In this case, all semiconductors will need to be replaced.
- Overvoltage caused the capacitor to break through. The device glows at the locations of the filaments. In this case, the capacitor must be replaced.
- As a result of improper operation, the luminous flux begins to be distributed unevenly. The bulb is partially sealed, and the lamp itself cannot be repaired.
- If at least one filament burns out, the lamp will stop working. The capacitor will need to be checked, and at the site of the filament break, the diode is replaced with a resistor by desoldering.
- A faulty diode thyristor also needs to be replaced.
Energy-saving lamps can be repaired only after the fault has been accurately determined and the spare parts required for replacement are available. A complete transition to energy-saving lamps provides significant savings for the family budget.