Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL) have very small dimensions and a curved glass tube. This makes it possible to provide them with a screw and screwed instead of normal bulbs in sockets. They are now also known as energy saving lamps. The advantages of compact fluorescent lamps
Compact fluorescent lamps or energy saving lamps have over regular bulbs for the same light efficiency a significantly lower power consumption – nearly 80 percent! Comparison between light bulbs and energy saving lamps is shown in the following table:
Light bulb | Compact Fluorescent Lamp |
|---|---|
25 W | 5 W |
40 W | 7 W |
60 W | 11 W |
75 W | 15 W |
100 W | 20 W |
150 W | 25 W |
In addition, CFLs contain an electronic ballast which increases the operating frequency of the lamp to about 35 KHz. Due to this high frequency, the light is absolutely quiet and flicker-free. The lifetime of compact fluorescent lamps is much higher – they light about 8,000 to 10,000 hours, and therefore about 8 times longer than a normal light bulb! 
Nevertheless, there are also differences in the quality of compact fluorescent lamps! Cheap lamps generally produce a very cold light, which is often perceived as unpleasant. Here you need take up even better products, a pleasant and warm light to generate even have several years of warranty! Even today, compact fluorescent lamps are often surrounded by pear-shaped glass bulb,which the light bulbs are quite similar.
Decomposed energy-saving lamp
Each energy saving lamp contains an electronic ballast. This is located in the base of the lamp. It generates the necessary voltage for the lamp. Since this is at high voltage, it must be treated with caution:
Never operate an opened energy saving lamp! Only open old unused lamps, which are no longer operated.
Compact fluorescent lamps with G23 base
In addition to the compact fluorescent lamps with screw bases with which it also called the G23 pin base. These lamps contain only the case with a conventional starter and ballast (choke) operation, which is located mostly in the power cord plug. The lamps themselves are U-shaped and can only in special versions (which contain the ballast) or be used in special space provided lights, containing the ballast plug in the power cord.