User Guide

For more complete product information visit www.sylvania.com Symbols/Footnotes on page 124
107
OSRAM SYLVANIA: THE LEADER IN
ENERGY SAVING COMPACT FLUORESCENT LAMPS
The compact fluorescent lamp is an electric discharge device which utilizes a low pressure mercury vapor arc to generate
ultra-violet (plus a little visible) energy. The ultra-violet energy is absorbed by a phosphor coat on the inside of the glass tube
and converted by the phosphor to visible wavelengths; the wavelengths of the light generated are determined by the
composition of the phosphor. In addition to the small amount of mercury vapor, the fluorescent tube contains an
atmosphere of an inert gas, usually argon, krypton, neon, or a mixture of two or more of these gases. The pressure
of the gases contained in the lamp is very low, usually from 2 to 3 torr. Atmospheric pressure is 760 torr.
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A wide variety of compact
fluorescent bulb shapes
are available
Several different types
used to connect the lamp
to the electric circuit and
to support the lamp in
the lampholder.
Connect to the base pins
and carry the current to
and from the cathodes
and the mercury arc.
The lead-in wires have an
air tight seal here and are
made of specific material
to assure about the same
coefficient of expansion
as the glass.
Usually a mixture of
argon and neon at low
pressure.
A minute quantity of
liquid mercury is placed
in the bulb to furnish
mercury vapor.
Air is exhausted through this
tube during manufacture and
inert gas introduced into the
bulb.
“Hot cathodes” at each end of
lamp are coated with emissive
materials which emit electrons.
Usually made of coiled-coil or
single-coil tungsten wire.
Coating inside the bulb
transforms ultraviolet radiation
into visible light. Color of light
produced depends on
composition of phosphor.
BULB
BASE
MERCURY
GAS
STEM PRESS LEAD-IN WIRES
EXHAUST TUBE
PHOSPHOR
CATHODE
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