Compact fluorescent lamps could provide the right intensity of light and reduce power consumption at the same time
POOR power quality of lighting equipments has not yet become a great
problem. But it has to be managed in
the future. Compact fluorescent lamps
(CFL) can provide high-quality light
at a low power consumption level.
In 1991, a major environmental
group in Sweden attacked the programmes sponsored by electric companies that promoted CFLS. The group
claimed that a screw-based CFL consumes much more energy than what its
rated power indicates, owing to its low
power factor (PF). However, they had
built their case around a misunderstanding.
'j, A 25 W CFL can replace a 100 w lamp
with an equivalent light output. The
25w CFL with a typical PF of 0.5, will
have an apparent power of 50 volt-
amperes (VA). Since voltage multiplied
byl. ampere normally equals watt, it
would mean that the active power consumption of such lamps is 50 W.
Although it is true that 50 VA is equivalent to 50 w of generating and distribution capacity, only the rated active
power of 25 w will be consumed when
the lamp is used. Thus the CFL with a PF
of 0.5 will free about half rather than
three quarters of the generating capacity. However, the lamp will still save
about three quarters of the energy used
for lighting.
The low power factor of conventional (electromagnetic) CFLS is due
to the fact that their voltage and current
are not in phase. Capacitors can
be installed either on transformer substations or on the premises of large
end-users to improve the power
factor. If an electric company has
an underground distribution network,
the capacitance of the system itself
will, to some degree, compensate for
the energy lost due to the phase shift
in CFLS. In fact, most electric companies charge large customers extra due
to a low PF, hence, improving it is in
their interest.
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