Light is the most essential and important
discovery by humans. Since recent times, though, due to the increase in the
population, there has been a rigorous research on finding the better and more
efficient lighting equipment.
Both LED and CFL lights are more efficient
than the conventional light bulbs aka the incandescent light bulb which was
discovered by Edison. Nevertheless, people still find it difficult to
understand the difference between the two i.e. CFL and LED.
In this detail post we would be talking in
detail about the working of each and the advantages, pros and cons of using
each.
Let’s start from the CFL
Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL):
The CFL also know in the modern day as the
energy saving light is a fluorescent lamp
which has been designed to replace the incandescent light bulb. Talking about
the structure of the CFL, it uses a curved tube which is carefully fitted into
the space of the incandescent bulb along with a compact electronic ballast
situated in the base of the lamp.
The principle working method in the CFL
remains the same as the fluorescent lighting. The electrons are carefully bound
to the mercury atoms which are excited to the states where they emit the
ultraviolet light when they return to a low energy level. The ultraviolet light
is further converted into the visible light when it strikes the fluorescent
coating.
Pros of CFL:
1.
CFL’s are highly energy
efficient as compared to the incandescent light bulbs.
2.
They use only 1/5th
of the electricity as compared to the conventional light bulb.
3.
They are more durable than the
incandescent bulb.
4.
CFL bulbs have nearly 15 times
more life than the conventional bulb.
5.
They emit less heat.
6.
They are compact and more
bright.
Cons of CFL:
1.
The manufacturing cost is more
than the incandescent light bulb.
2.
It contains toxic mercury so
its disposal is quite complicated.
3.
It is banned in some countries
due to the toxic mercury.
4.
Cannot withstand high
temperatures like the incandescent light bulb.
CFL Lights Usage:
CFL lights are mostly used for commercial
lighting. Apart from that they are used for decoration, wedding lights, camera
lights etc.
Light Emitting Diode (LED):
Light emitting diode or the LED is the most
evolved form of discovery for saving the electricity but also meeting the
conventional lighting parameters.
The LED work on the principle of electroluminescence.
There is a p-n junction diode which gets activated when the electricity is
passed through the LED. The concept behind the same is, when the electrons
combine with the electron holes, they emit light energy in the form of photons.
So overall, the working of LED is different than the CFL light.
LED Pros:
1.
LED lights are super energy
efficient. The are nearly 15 time more energy efficient than the incandescent
light bulbs.
2.
Their life is nearly 25 times
more than the incandescent light bulbs.
3.
They are highly compact and
more durable than CFL and Incandescent light bulbs.
4.
They are super bright.
5.
They emit very less heat.
6.
You can form different colours
by playing with the energy band gap of the LED.
7.
You would save a lot on your
electricity bill.
LED Cons:
1.
The manufacturing cost of the
LED is very high.
2.
They are more expensive than
the CFL light bulbs.
3.
They cannot work in high
temperature.
LED Usage:
1.
Automobile headlamps, inner
decoration.
2.
They are the best grow lights for growing indoor plants.
3.
Artificial decorations,
weddings, dance lights
4.
Commercial usage at homes.
5.
Surgeries and endoscopies
We hope that you must have gained a good
insight about the LED and the CFL lights. No doubt, LED lights are more
efficient than the CFL and the incandescent lights, still you can opt for the
CFL if price is an issue and you are running on a fixed budget because the LED
lights are more expensive.
Do share your thoughts in the comments
section below. We would be happy to answer to your queries if any. Also, please
share the post on your social networking handles. It would motivate me to write
more posts like this in future.
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