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Light T5 T8
Light T5 T8
Quality of
light measured in CRI (Colour Rendering Index), quantity of light measured in
LPW (Lumens per Watt) and CU (Co-efficiency of utilization.) The numbers being
used for CU are general for those used in the low level (12 feet and under) multiresidential environment so there can be fluctuations.
Comparing Color Rendering Index
T8 = 85CRI
T5 = 85CRI
Comparing Lumens Per Watt (LPW)
T8 = 90LPW
T5 = 99LPW
CRI levels:
LPW levels:
CU (Generally):
T8 = .76CU
costs, and may negate the necessity of tandem luminaire wiring as required by the
1992 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24).
Electronic ballasts are designed to operate lamps in either series or parallel mode. The
advantage of the parallel mode of operation is that a single lamp failure will not affect the
operation of the remaining lamps controlled by the same ballast. However, ballast losses
will increase slightly in the parallel mode. Other advantages of the electronic ballast include
reduced weight, quieter operation, and reduced lamp flicker. Electronic ballasts are directly
interchangeable with magnetic ballasts, and they are available to operate most full-size and
compact fluorescent lamps.
How can I tell whether I have a magnetic ballast or an electronic ballast?
While commercial test equipment is available for determining whether a magnetic ballast is in place, there is an
inexpensive do-it-yourself test that can be done with your cell phone!
Just point your cell phone camera at the lamp, and take a picture. If the image displays dark bands or stripes,
your fluorescent lamp is driven by a magnetic ballast. A modern, electronic ballast drives the lamp at a much
higher frequency, and a picture of these lamps will be clearly different, without such bands.
The image below shows a T12 fluorescent lamp with the tell-tale bands generated by a magnetic ballast:
The image below shows a T8 fluorescent lamp with a steady glow indicating that its driven by a modern electronic
ballast.
ballasts do.
8. End of Life Sensing
Electronic ballasts for small diameter lamps (T5 or smaller) are available that
detect the end of life of the lamp and shut it off before the lamp overheats enough
to melt sockets and cause the lamp wall to crack and break.