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[TD]
This article compares manufacture provided specifications for power (measured
in Watts) and light (measured as Lumen) for several popular lamp types.
Other important factors such as reflectors, Kelvin color (spectrum),
ballast/power factor, lifetime, and form factor are not addressed.
The use of Lumen is hotly debated due to differences in human-centric perspective
and the photosynthetically active radiation PAR of Chlorophyll. Spectrum comparison
of Sylvania T12
, T8, and
T5 support the approximation that total intensity scales
with lumens for freshwater planted tanks. For salt water reefs factors such as
unshaded tropical sun filtered through a water column makes the discussion in terms
of Lumens unsatisfactory. Then again, adding nitrates to a reef makes no sense either.
A fuller treatment of this topic can be found here:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/
# Quote:
http://goodmart.com/light_bulbs_ballasts.htm unless noted
* fluorescent bulbs = 4',
** (high, - (quoted) - low), lm/W from mean value
*** multiplier of intensity to compare T12. i.e. 28W T5 = 1.37 W T-12.
Example 2 WPG T5 = 2.74 WPG T12.
+4hydroponics.com
Incandescent bulbs
o Operation described here:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/incan_diagram.aspx
o "Aquarium" 15 W bulb ~7.4 lm/W.
o Color ~2850K
Linear fluorescent lamps
o Operation described here:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/fluorescent_diagram.aspx
o Bulb diameter: T-12 -> 12 one-eighths or 1.5". (T8 = 1")
o Medium bipin contacts used for T12 NO, T10, T8 and T6 in standard lengths.
o From ~3000K to 6700K
High Output
o T12 High Output variants: The HO and VHO T12 lamp use recessed double contact to
prevent interchange and operate by increasing the current (T12 NO = 430 mA, HO = 800 mA,
VHO = 1500 mA)
o T5 High Output variants: The T5 and T5 HO use the same miniature bipin contact but require a load sensing ballast.
Under/Overdriving
o Ballast power factor is the ratio of the lamp design current over the supplied ballast current.
o For example a energy saving T12 ballasts can have 0.88 power factor resulting in 2775 lumens X 0.88 = 2376.
o Fluorescent lamps can be "overdriven" with a high power factor ballast, or creative wiring. Over-Driven Normal
Output ODNO is covered in depth here:
ODNO
o Rule of thumb is 2X = 50%, 3X = 75% lm, 4X = 100% increase.
o The member "Shalu" notes that some combinations actually become more efficient when OD. Suggested that 2x OD 18" T8 outputs 2.5x light!
Other lamps:
o Spiral Compact as screw in type. Total lm quoted, expect significant loss to restrike.
o Reports that power compact (PC) are bent T5 with 55/66W power dependent on ballast, not bulb.
o HID operation:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/hid_diagram.aspx
Links:
o Link to WPG:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9803/msg00184.html
o Eric Olsen's comparison:
www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/Lighting/
o Energy/area method:
www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/intensorama.html
o DIY (do it yourself) projects have an inherent risk above standard operation. Any DIY ideas
mentioned here are for completeness only and does not constitute and endorsement. Water and electricity do not mix!
Contributors:
o "BlueRam"
o "Shalu"
Back to Articles
[/TD]
This article compares manufacture provided specifications for power (measured
in Watts) and light (measured as Lumen) for several popular lamp types.
Other important factors such as reflectors, Kelvin color (spectrum),
ballast/power factor, lifetime, and form factor are not addressed.
The use of Lumen is hotly debated due to differences in human-centric perspective
and the photosynthetically active radiation PAR of Chlorophyll. Spectrum comparison
of Sylvania T12
, T8, and
T5 support the approximation that total intensity scales
with lumens for freshwater planted tanks. For salt water reefs factors such as
unshaded tropical sun filtered through a water column makes the discussion in terms
of Lumens unsatisfactory. Then again, adding nitrates to a reef makes no sense either.
A fuller treatment of this topic can be found here:
http://www.aquabotanic.com/
Comparison of Popular Bulb Types | |||
Bulb Type# | Lumens over Watts (initial, mean)* | Efficiency lm/W** | Multiplier T12*** |
Incandescent (~3500K) | 1210/75 | 21.0-(16.1)-7.4 | 0.22 |
T-12 Normal Output (NO) (4100K) High Output (HO) Very High Output (VHO) | (3200, 2880)/40 (4050, 3281)/60 (6600, 4620)/115 | 72.0 54.7 40.2 | 1.0 0.76 0.56 |
T-8 Normal Output (NO) (4100K) | (2800, 2520)/32 | 78.8 | 1.35 |
T-5 Normal Output (NO) (4100K, 35C) High Output (HO) (4100K, 35C) | (2900, 2755)/28 (5000, 4750)/54 | 98.4 88.0 | 1.37 1.22 |
Spiral Compact | 1250/20 | 62.5 | 0.86 |
Power Compact | (4800,4128)/55 | 75.0 | 1.04 |
Metal Halide+ High Pressure Sodium+ | 40,000/400 50,000/400 | 120-(100)-80 160-(125)-114 | 1.37 1.74 |
LED (prototype, commercial) | 80,~32 | 0.44 |
# Quote:
http://goodmart.com/light_bulbs_ballasts.htm unless noted
* fluorescent bulbs = 4',
** (high, - (quoted) - low), lm/W from mean value
*** multiplier of intensity to compare T12. i.e. 28W T5 = 1.37 W T-12.
Example 2 WPG T5 = 2.74 WPG T12.
+4hydroponics.com
Incandescent bulbs
o Operation described here:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/incan_diagram.aspx
o "Aquarium" 15 W bulb ~7.4 lm/W.
o Color ~2850K
Linear fluorescent lamps
o Operation described here:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/fluorescent_diagram.aspx
o Bulb diameter: T-12 -> 12 one-eighths or 1.5". (T8 = 1")
o Medium bipin contacts used for T12 NO, T10, T8 and T6 in standard lengths.
o From ~3000K to 6700K
High Output
o T12 High Output variants: The HO and VHO T12 lamp use recessed double contact to
prevent interchange and operate by increasing the current (T12 NO = 430 mA, HO = 800 mA,
VHO = 1500 mA)
o T5 High Output variants: The T5 and T5 HO use the same miniature bipin contact but require a load sensing ballast.
Under/Overdriving
o Ballast power factor is the ratio of the lamp design current over the supplied ballast current.
o For example a energy saving T12 ballasts can have 0.88 power factor resulting in 2775 lumens X 0.88 = 2376.
o Fluorescent lamps can be "overdriven" with a high power factor ballast, or creative wiring. Over-Driven Normal
Output ODNO is covered in depth here:
ODNO
o Rule of thumb is 2X = 50%, 3X = 75% lm, 4X = 100% increase.
o The member "Shalu" notes that some combinations actually become more efficient when OD. Suggested that 2x OD 18" T8 outputs 2.5x light!
Other lamps:
o Spiral Compact as screw in type. Total lm quoted, expect significant loss to restrike.
o Reports that power compact (PC) are bent T5 with 55/66W power dependent on ballast, not bulb.
o HID operation:
http://www.goodmart.com/facts/light_bulbs/hid_diagram.aspx
Links:
o Link to WPG:
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.9803/msg00184.html
o Eric Olsen's comparison:
www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/Lighting/
o Energy/area method:
www.thekrib.com/Plants/Tech/intensorama.html
o DIY (do it yourself) projects have an inherent risk above standard operation. Any DIY ideas
mentioned here are for completeness only and does not constitute and endorsement. Water and electricity do not mix!
Contributors:
o "BlueRam"
o "Shalu"
Back to Articles
[/TD]
