The architecture of light: architectural lighting design concepts and techniques. A textbook of procedures and practices for the architect, interior designer and lighting designer pdfdrive com

Figure 8.5 The working components of fluorescent light sources.
The Properties of Fluorescent Light Sources:
Initial Cost: Moderate;
Fluorescent lamps get less expensive to purchase as they become more commonplace. There are also many government funded programs that subsidize fluorescent lamps to encourage their use. Commodity lamps like the T-8 can be quite inexpensive. Though desirable color temperatures and color rendering properties will drive the cost up.
Operating Cost: Cheap;
Between the high efficiency and long time between relamping, these sources are among the most economical to operate.
Color Rendering Index: 70 - 95 (moderate to good);
The variations in phosphor technology allow fluorescent lamps to be engineered to render colors well. Unfortunately, far more common are versions that don’t. Generally, better color rendering index (CRI) will mean a more costly lamp. It is always advisable to see a working sample of a specific fluorescent lamp when considering it for use on a project.
Color Temperature: Variable. Warm to cool and everything in between;
Fluorescent lamps can be engineered to exhibit any color desired. What is critical to understand is that the color a lamp appears to our eye does necessarily indicate how well that lamp will render colors. Fluorescent sources generally have a slight color cast that may look odd when compared to incandescent and halogen sources. It is
always advisable to see a sample prior to consideration on a project.
Ballast and Transformer requirements: Yes;
All fluorescent lamps require a ballast to operate. The ballast can be built into the luminaire or mounted remotely. Some fluorescent lamps, like those intended to replace screw-in incandescent lamps, have the ballast built in to them. Ballasts operate either magnetically or electronically, and it is worthwhile to specify electronic ballasts for most uses. Magnetic ballasts are responsible for the flickering, humming, and buzzing that are associated with fluorescent lamps.
Electronic ballasts are small, light, quiet, start nearly instantly, and
are more efficient.