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Difference between Incandescent Bulbs and Fluorescent Lamps
Incandescent Bulb
Incandescent bulb is a type of filament lamp which produces light by heating a filament made up of metals. The incandescent bulb operates on the principle of incandescence, which is the emission of light by heating metal filament.
Incandescent lamps were the first type of electric illumination and invented by Thomas Alva Edison, an American inventor.
An incandescent lamp is generally made out of a glass shell that houses a tungsten filament. An electric current flowing through the filament, heating it up to the temperature enough to produce light.
Fluorescent Lamp
A fluorescent lamp is a type of gas-discharge lamp which uses electric current to excite the gas, which causes it to glow and hence the lamp generates light. The fluorescent lamp produces light by the fluorescence of a phosphor covering
Comparison between Incandescent Bulbs and Fluorescent Lamps
The following table highlights the key differences between the incandescence bulbs and the fluorescent lamps −
Parameter | Incandescent Lamps | Fluorescent Lamps |
---|---|---|
Method of light production | Incandescent bulbs produce light by heating a metallic filament. | Fluorescent lamps generate light by gas discharge, i.e. by exciting the gas. |
Electricity consumption | Incandescent bulbs consume more electricity. | Fluorescent lamps consume less electricity, for the same ratings. |
Efficiency | Incandescent bulbs are less efficient. | Fluorescent lamps are more efficient. |
Operating life | Incandescent bulbs have shorter operating life, i.e., they do not last for a long period. On an average 750 to 1000 hours. | Fluorescent lamps have longer life. The average life is up to 10000 hours. |
Increase in surrounding temperature. | Incandescent bulbs emit warmer light. Thus, they increases the surrounding temperature. | Fluorescent lamps emit less warm light. Hence, the increase in the surrounding temperature is not significant. |
Light Production | Incandescent bulbs produce about 15 lumens per watt of input power. | Fluorescent lamps produce 50 to 100 lumens per watt of input power. |
Components | Incandescent bulbs consist of glass shell, tungsten filament and inert gas (like argon, etc.). | Fluorescent lamps have argon and mercury vapors, Phosphor coating (zinc-silicate, magnesium tungsten, cadmium borate, etc.). |
Types available | Clear, Frosted, Decorative | Tanning bulbs, Germicidal bulbs, Growth bulbs, Bilirubin bulbs |
Cost | Incandescent bulbs are cheaper. | Fluorescent lamps are expensive. |