What is a Compact Fluorescent Lamp or CFL and how does it work?

Answer 1

A 3-way incandescent bulb works by having two separate filaments for the first two levels of brightness. For example, a 30-70-100 bulb will have a 30 watt filament and a 70 watt filament. The 3-way switch then turns on either the 30, the 70, or both - giving the 100 watts full brightness. (This is why a 3-way incandescent bulb usually burns out the most commonly used brightness level first.)

A 3-way compact fluorescent, using the same simple 3-way switch, will either have two separate fluorescent tubes, one for each of the first two brightness levels (unlikely), or it will adjust the brightness electronically through an internal voltage (or other) adjustment based on which position the 3-way switch is set at.

This is only an approximation - additional details would be interesting.

Answer 2

A compact fluorescent lamp is a miniaturized conventional fluorescent tube

packaged with an integral ballast on a standard light bulb base so it can

be installed into most types of lighting fixture.

For more information click on the Related Link and the Related Questions below.

Answer 3

Compact fluorescent light globes contain argon and Mercury vapor inside their tubes. There is also an integrated ballast that causes an electric current to pass through these vapors, which, in turn, produces light.

Answer 4

A Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) is type of energy-saving bulb made from a small glass tube which is filled with mercury vapour. It has a phosphorescent coating on the inside of the tube which glows when electricity is passed through the mercury vapour causing it to emit ultraviolet light. This is the same mechanism as a standard fluorescent tube light, the only difference in a CFL is that it has a smaller size and is bent so that it can be used in standard light fittings.

For more info on energy saving bulbs see this article:

http://energy-conservation.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_science_of_energy_saving_bulbs