Performance of electronic ballast and controls with 34 and 40 watt F40 fluorescent lamps

Electric and photometric characteristics have been compared for 40 W and 34 W F40 T-12 fluorescent lamps by operating them with electronic ballasts, static controls, and dynamic controls of different designs. The energy savings generated by a krypton-filled 34 W lamp system is, at best, slightly more efficacious than the standard 40 W argon-filled lamp system by virtue of the use of lite white phosphor. The 34 W system has limitations that include higher starting voltages, reduced temperature range of operation, smaller dimming range, and poorer color rendering than the standard cool white 40 W lamp system.<>