Panasonic dims a CFL
Panasonic dims a CFL
The Japanese manufacturer Matsushita, which sells lamps under the Panasonic brand name, presented a dimmable screw-base CFL in Hannover during the World Light Show.
The dimmable CFL, a prototype, 24-W version with an integrated ballast, can be used in a circuit where a standard dimmer is installed. (At present, no CFL with a built-in ballast can be dimmed.) According to Matsushita, the lamp can be dimmed down to ~40% of full light output. However, there is considerable flicker at these low levels. Elimination of flicker when dimming as well as a broadening of the dimming range are high on the priority list of developers at Matsushita. Commercialization is at least two years away.