How do Fluorescent Lights Work?

This unique and efficient form of lighting has become more popular in recent years, primarily because fluorescent lights cost less to operate than the traditional incandescent light bulb. The fluorescent lamp is a bit more complicated than the classic bulb so they may be more expensive to purchase. However, the cost of operation is less, which may make this type of lighting more cost-efficient in the long term.

In addition, the fluorescent light usually lasts a lot longer. The tiny elements in the classic light bulb tend to degrade from the extreme heat, causing these bulbs to “blow out” in a short amount of time. Fluorescent lights, in contrast, are tubes that are coated on the inside with phosphorous. The tubes contain a specific type of gas (argon). Electrodes connect to your electrical circuit and the electrical power causes the internal gas to glow.

Electron Level

This light comes from a process at the electron level of atoms. When atoms are charged by electricity, for example, the electrons that orbit the nucleus move from one orbit to another. Electrons gradually lose the energy of the charge and return to the original orbit/level. This causes them to emit a tiny amount of light in the form of a photon. If enough atoms are charged and enough electrons are moved a larger amount of light is emitted.

In fluorescent lights these free electrons move through the argon-filled tube from an electrode/connector to another electrode/connector. The energy vaporizes a small amount of mercury in each light and mercury in gaseous state release photons. This is in the ultraviolet range, invisible to human beings. The phosphorus coating inside the glass tube absorbs the energy and sends out the visible light we use. The process creates very little heat, making these lights much more energy efficient.

Fluorescent lights must have a starter to get this complex process underway. Some of the first such lights had an electrical switch that would start the process. But light would only appear and become usable after a rather long wait – sometimes a minute or more. That delay was responsible for the low amount of light and the flicker we got used to in years past.

New fluorescent light designs start almost instantly. The design is commonly known as rapid-start lighting in the industry. In this design, ballast controls the electrical current going to the electrodes. A charge is available almost immediately when you turn the wall switch or light switch on.

About the only drawback with fluorescent lights is the type of light produced. Some people prefer the brighter, less-colored light of traditional bulbs. The various chemicals used in fluorescent lights produced light of a different wave length, thus giving this light a slightly different hue. There is a blue tinge to fluorescent light and this makes them common in public buildings, parking garages etc. Many office buildings still use fluorescent ceiling lights, though individual desks may have incandescent lamps for work purposes.