Advanced Technologies for Commercial Buildings

Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps

Definition:

Compact fluorescent lamps with four-pin bases have full range continuous dimming from 100% to 5% of normal lighting

Benefits:

Limitations:

Building Use:

yes highrise office   yes retail
yes lowrise office   yes food service
yes highrise apartment   yes institutional
yes lowrise apartment   yes arena

Building Type:

yes New
yes Retrofit

Development Status:

no Prototype
no New Technology
yes Mature Technology

Description:

Dimming is the reduction in the luminous flux of a lamp achieved by reducing electrical operating current. Dimming results in lower energy usage. It also increases occupant comfort because lighting levels can be adjusted to meet user requirements.

The use of dimming lighting systems is increasing due to improved product availability and reliability and increased cost-effectiveness. Dimming has become necessary for various purposes, such as conference room lighting (for audio-visual presentations), to malls and atria, where the use of daylighting can be maximized.

Photo
Dimmable compact fluorescents are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Conventional dimmable sources include incandescent, halogen, low-voltage incandescent, fluorescent and high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Incandescent and halogen lamps have a short lamp life and poor efficiency. Traditional fluorescent lamps (for example T8s) are linear sources and thus require a large luminaire housing. HID dimming has many technical and cost limitations which makes HID lamps impractical in many applications.

Compact fluorescent lamps combine small size with a high level of performance. Compact fluorescent lamps exist in two forms, the twin tube and the quad tube. Both types utilize a two-pin base, and incorporate preheat starting. The preheat lamp buzzes and flickers for a few seconds durng the start cycle. These lamps cannot be dimmed. Manufacturers have recently introduced a variety of four-pin electronic lamps that provide a rapid start as well as dimming capabilities.

With proper controls, four-pin compact fluorescent lamps can be dimmed from 100% full light output down to 5% output. This dimming can be achieved gradually, without flicker, and without changes in colour temperature. Required controls include an electronic dimming ballast and a wallbox dimmer switch or modular dimming system controller.

Design, Construction and Operational Issues:

Compact fluorescent dimming is ideally suited for use where incandescent dimming has traditionally been used. Examples are hotel lobbies, boardrooms, restaurants, conference rooms, court rooms, lecture halls, health care facilities, casinos and executive offices.

Experience and Application:

Many buildings use compact fluorescent dimming, including the Workman's Compensation Board office space at Simcoe Place Office Complex in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Occupants appreciate the abilities to reduce illumination levels in the lounge and boardrooms to suite their activities.

Cost:

The incremental cost for compact fluorescent dimming over traditional incandescent dimming is approximately $200CAD per fixture. The incremental cost for compact fluorescent dimming over non-dimmable compact fluorescent is approximately $75 to $125CAD per fixture.

Information Sources:

Example Manufacturers:

Most lamp manufacturers produce a four-pin compact fluorescent lamp.

There are many ballast and control manufacturers.

Contributing Expert:

Rober W. Lymer, P.Eng
Mulvey and Banani International Inc
44 Mobile Drive, Toronto ON Canada
M4A 2P2
tel 1-416-751-2520
fax 1-416-751-1430

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