Re: Does anyone know who is making these light bulbs?

["TKM" <noname@xxxxxx>]

"Robert Green" <ROBERT_GREEN1963@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:5t-dnX4VxZxOmpnbnZ2dnUVZ_o2vnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp#How_they_work
>
> says:
>
> "The Cold Cathode Fluorescent Light (CCFL) is one of the newest forms of
> CFL. CCFLs use electrodes without a filament. The voltage of CCFL lamps is
> about 5 times higher than CFL lamps and the current is about 10 times
> lower.
> CCFL lamps have a diameter of about 3 millimeters. The lifetime of CCFL
> lamps is about 50,000 hours. The lumens per watt is about half of CFL
> lamps.
>
> Initially CCFL was used for thin monitors and backlighting, but **now it
> is
> also manufactured for use as a lightbulb.** Since the efficacy
> (watt/lumen)
> is actually lower than a compact fluorescent light, it is actually not as
> efficient as a CFL. Its advantages are that it is (1) instant-on, like an
> incandescent, (2) compatible with timers, photocells, and dimmers, and (3)
> has an amazingly long life of approximately 50,000 hours. CCFL are a
> convenient transition-technology for those who are not comfortable with
> the
> short lag-time associated with the initial lighting of Compact
> Fluorescents.
> They are also an effective and efficient replacement for lighting that is
> turned on and off frequently with little extended use (e.g. a half-bath or
> closet)."
>
> ** Emphasis mine
>
> --
> Bobby G.


Cold cathode general lighting CFLs are made by TCP and others.  See:
http://www.tcpi.com/Default.aspx
Download the full catalog and look at the cold cathode section.  It's an old
technology.  So-called "neon" lamps are cold cathode lamps, for example.

They have some advantages vs. the usual or "hot cathode" lamps; but I
haven't checked out the compatibility claim.  It doesn't make sense because
an electronic ballast is required for cold cathode lamps and that's not a
resistance load which is what the usual electronic timers, photocells and
dimmers expect.

TKM