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fluorescent fixture, you’ll want one that contains an electronic
ballast. Electronic ballasts operate at over 20,000 cycles per second
as opposed to conventional magnetic ballasts, which alternate at 60 cycles
per second. Operating at this higher frequency, electronic ballasts increase
lamp efficacy by 10-15% and completely eliminate hum and flicker. Electronic
ballasts also waste less power internally. Some fixtures use traditional-looking
Linear and Circline lamps, while some use compact fluorescents.
Fluorescent Lamps/Bulbs Descriptions – Some fixtures
will accept two or more types of bulbs, while others will only accept
one style. Here is a list of the most common and accessible. All bulbs/lamps
are energy-efficient.
Compact Fluorescent — Comparable
to the size of a regular A-19 incandescent bulb (in some instances larger
and others smaller), compact fluorescents come in a variety of shapes
and pin-base configurations.
Linear Fluorescent – The most
familiar looking of all fluorescent lamps, these tube-shaped linears come
in measurements of T2, T4, T5, T6, T8, T12 and up.
Circline Fluorescent — Commonly
used in surface mount fixtures, magnifiers and torchiere lamps, Circline
fluorescents are often referred to as “Round Fluorescents."
Motion
Sensors – At dusk a motion detector turns on the light
automatically whenever sensing moving heat sources (such as a walking
person or moving vehicle) in its coverage area and stays on as long as
motion is detected. When motion stops, light will remain on for the predetermined
time set (usually 2 or 6 minutes) and then turns off automatically. Most
motion sensor fixtures are designed with screw bases for incandescent
bulbs.
Time-Controlled
– Time controlled fixtures will turn off after a predetermined time
set that could be anywhere from 2 – 30 minutes. They are most commonly
designed with screw bases for incandescent bulbs.
Dimmers – Most commonly used
with incandescent fixtures, dimmers are available for fluorescent fixtures.
Putting a fluorescent fixture on a dimmer can be an expensive process.
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