Fluorescent vs. Incandescent?

Question

This is a two-part question. First, why is it that when you turn on a fluorescent bulb it flickers before it fully glows as compared to an incandescent bulb that glows instantly when you turn it on? And second, is somebody working on a fluorescent bulb that doesn't flicker before fully glows?

Answer 1

Traditionally, fluorescent lamps required a special pre-heating circuit to start the reaction that causes the coating inside the tube to fluoresce. This required a device called a "fluorescent light starter," that connects the starting circuit for a few seconds and then disconnects it.

The problem was solved about 50 years ago, and only a few really antique fluorescent fixtures still use the starter circuit or show the flicker effect. Rapid start is the standard method now. Maybe you need to get out more...

Answer 2

Fluorescence is a physical, not a chemical, process. See the references for how it works. It takes time to vaporize the mercury, since it condenses back to liquid when the bulb cools. Most of the work in fluorescent lamps is to make them more efficient, and make them in a convenient form factor, like the modern CFL (compact fluorescent lamp). The flicker is unimportant, and not worth worrying about.

Answer 3

20 Watts isn't that huge a distinction in warmth output. Your laptop and displays could desire to relatively be over a kilowatt. Your physique emits approximately a hundred watts. Get regardless of is nice on your eyes. some CFL's are advantageous, so attempt it, in case you do no longer like it, circulate with an incandescent and placed the CFL someplace else the place easy does not count plenty and it may save power. i'm in contact in saving power, yet no longer if it ruins your eyes.

Answer 4

it flickers cause it glows depending on gas ( i think its name was neon gas ) anyway , electricity runs throw the gas causing Glow , its pure chemical reaction so it takes moment or 2 to start , as for normal bulbs it consists of a copper wire( I think its copper) that flows elec through it causing glow without melting the wire cause simply there is no air inside the bulb to help Burn the Wire to ashes ... hope that was useful . and I think there r some fast start neon bulbs though I dont know names .. sorry..= )