Retrofit induction lamp by GE Lighting
Retrofit induction lamp by GE Lighting
Just in time for the Hannover Light Fair in April, GE Lighting unveiled its new electrodeless induction lamp called Genura. This 23-W lamp has a standard E27 (Edison) socket and is intended as a retrofit lamp for applications where the 100-W incandescent standard R80 reflector lamp is used presently, i.e., downlights and spotlights. (The "R80" description applies to the dimension of the largest part of the bulb width in millimeters. The equivalent description for North America, where measurements are given in 1/8-inch units, would be approximately "R25". The lamp thus falls in between the American R20 and R30 standard sizes.)
The efficacy of the Genura lamp is less than that of an integral electronically ballasted compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Initially, the 23-W induction lamp (including ballast) produces 1100 lumens, whereas the electronic 23-W CFL produces 1500 lumens. The efficacy of the Genura lamp is thus 48 lumens per watt, or about 25% less than that of the integral CFL. (But it is more than four-times as efficient as the incandescent it replaces-the 100-W incandescent reflector R80 lamp produces 940 lumens with an efficacy of less than 10W/lm.)
However, since the Genura lamp is intended for applications where a reflector lamp is required (the beam angle is 120°), it directs the produced light efficiently to where it is most needed. The resulting application would thus be more efficient than that of the CFL, unless a luminaire dedicated to a CFL is used.
Another important difference lies in the fact that the lamp utilizes induction technology. Since there are no electrodes in the lamp, GE claims that it can be switched on and off as often as one wishes without reducing lamp life. However, like a CFL, the lamp requires some warming-up time to provide maximum light output. A tri-phosphor system is used for the lamp, with chromaticity rated at 3 000K. Light output drops by 30% over the life of the lamp (rated at 10 000 hours), just like a typical CFL.
The lamp is also sensitive to ambient temperature conditions: it has problems starting below 0°C, but does not seem to be as sensitive as the CFL to higher ambient temperatures (see IAEEL 2/93). The Genura lamp produces maximum light output throughout its operating range of 0-40°C, with a slightly higher peak between 30 and 40°C. It drops to ~85% of rated output at ~80°C. GE also claims that the operating position of the lamp (base up vs. base down) will not affect light output.
The internal operating frequency of the Genura lamp is 2.5 MHz, which provides absolutely flicker-free light. That value was chosen to meet European standards, and according to GE no final decision has been made on the exact operating frequency for the North American version. The present version of the lamp cannot be dimmed.
The power factor of the lamp is 0.55, and total harmonic distortion (THD) is 130%. These are not very good numbers from the point-of-view of some electric utilities, but are similar to those of some CFLs. (By comparison, GE's "best" screw-in electronic CFL has a PF of 0.95 and a THD of less than 20%).
A Genura lamp with the same performance ratings, but designed for American power systems, was introduced at the Lightfair Show in New York City in early May.
The price of the lamp will be similar to that of a self-ballasted CFL, says GE.
Nils Borg
