There are many different types of Armstrong lamps.. Manufacturers present new models every month, which may suit the taste of the most sophisticated buyer. Let's analyze the technical differences of lighting fixtures for Armstrong ceilings.
The luminaires under consideration are divided by the type of lamps used into fluorescent and LED.
Armstrong luminaires mainly use 4 fluorescent lamps, designed for voltage in 18 IN (T8 T8). Sometimes there are also devices, equipped with weaker lamps, eg, T5, powered by voltage 15 IN. LED luminaires have the same number of lamps, but the energy consumption of each of them is lower - 8 W.
Comparison of fluorescent and LED lamps
- Energy consumption. Even for a person, whose work is not related to energy, it becomes clear immediately, that lower lamp operating wattage means lower energy bills. If we take it on average, then LED lamps spend on 40 % less energy to produce the same luminous flux, like T8 lamps. If we take an office building, which requires lighting of hundreds of square meters of area, then the benefits over several years will amount to a very large amount.
Besides, Armstrong LED pendant light can operate at reduced voltage. This problem is relevant for buildings, having their own low power transformer. The fluorescent lamp will simply go out under these conditions.. - Uniformity and light intensity. Different lamps are adjusted to the same level of luminous flux, which is comfortable for a person, in the room. The advantage of LED lamps is the peculiarity of its structure: the luminous angle is only 120 degrees, whereas a fluorescent lamp shines on 360. It's not hard to guess, that part of the light flow is directed into the device.
- The service life. Fluorescent lamps are designed to operate from 4 to 10 thousand hours. LED – from 25 to 50.
- Environmental safety. Fluorescent lamps contain mercury and require special disposal procedures. This fact is not critical for a private person, but it is of great importance for the organization: Fines for failure to properly dispose of generated waste can be quite severe.
- Health safety. Mercury from a fluorescent lamp can enter the indoor air, if the lamp is broken. Besides, you will have to do special floor treatment, to eliminate the possibility of finding residues of this harmful metal. The LED lamp cannot be broken - it is made of metal and polymer materials.
Also fluorescent lamps flicker. And the longer they work, the more noticeable the flicker becomes. It is unlikely that any of the financially interested parties will change the lamps before, how they finally go out, and the flickering causes headaches, eye fatigue and even epileptic seizures. LED lamps do not have this disadvantage.
LED pendant lights emit cool spectrum light. Some studies indicate that, that such light can impair vision.
If the owner of the premises is not alien to investing for the long term, then you can make the appropriate economic calculations, and then draw an unambiguous conclusion - it is more profitable to use LED lamps, than any others. The high purchase price is compensated by long-term operation, manufacturer's warranty for several years and low energy consumption. What about this shortcoming?, harmful to vision, then such a feature is unlikely to worry a person, who equips non-residential premises for commercial needs.
