2007-11-29
Our Voltimum Experts answer your questions on a daily basis in our Technical Expertise area. This first Question of the Day, on luminaires and fittings – the compatibility of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), is answered by OSRAM:
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| Are all CFLs interchangeable? |
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Question: I have a floodlight originally fitted with a Phillips Ecotone PL-C 840/4P 26W lamp. The light was no longer working and my customer wanted a less bright lamp so I ordered a replacement. My wholesaler sent an OSRAM Dulux D/E 13W lamp. The lamp holder in the luminaire has a slot which lines up with a lug on shoulder of the Phillips CFL but does not line up with the lug on the Osram lamp. Both lamps are four-pin CFLs. My question is - are they the same electrically. Is the slot in the lamp holder simply there to encourage the use of one make of lamps?
Answer: The lugs on the lamps and the slots on the lamp holders are an international system intended to ensure only the correct wattage lamps are used in a fitting. Generally many fittings cannot operate more than one type of lamp - the ballast is designed to operate one lamp wattage, because different lamp wattages are different electrically. Your fitting will only operate 26W lamps, but any manufacturer's lamp should fit.
To see many more Q & A in Voltimum UK's Experts Area, please click on the link: http://www.voltimum.co.uk/consult.php?universe=consult.index.questions
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Related contacts
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OSRAM
OSRAM House, Waterside Drive,
Langley, Berkshire SL3 6EZ
Tel: 01744 812221
Fax: 01744 831900
Email: voltimum@osram.co.uk
Web: www.osram.co.uk |
OSRAM
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Source: OSRAM & James Hunt |
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