IAEEL newsletter 3-4/97
Dimmable CFLs available in North America
Dimmable CFLs available in North America
In autumn 1997, both Philips and US-based Technical Consumer Products (TCP) introduced dimmable, screw-base CFLs in North America. The retail price of the lamps varies from ~US$18 - ~$25. Adapting the technology to 230-V, as in Europe, will make them more expensive, and Philips doesn¹t intend to market the lamp in Europe. TCP, however, is building a lamp intended for 230 V.
Before the autumn of 1997, dimmable, integral CFLs could only be found in labs and at lighting trade fairs. But Philips had the guts to start marketing a 23-W, electronic, screw-base CFL that retails at ~US$25 even though the price of electronic CFLs has been dropping below $10. The company seems to be confident that consumers will be willing to pay for the dimming features, but they are not only targeting residential customers. Philips estimates that in the US alone there are some 200 million dimming systems in industrial and commercial sectors, in many of which the lamp could be used. Bars, restaurants, and hotels are important targets in this respect.
Although the consumer markets for lighting products in Europe and North America are roughly the same size, Philips has decided not to adapt the lamp for the European market. According to Mr. Ronald Plantinga at Philips, their market research has shown that dimming is less popular in Europe than in the US. This, in combination with the costs for adapting the lamp to European 230-V mains voltage, would make the lamp too expensive for Europe.
The Philips dimmable lamp has a maximum output of 1500 lumen (roughly equivalent to a North-American 90-W lamp) and can be dimmed down to 10 percent. It contains amalgam, which helps to control the mercury vapor pressure within the lamps. As a result, it takes longer for the lamp to reach full light output; however, it also gives the lamp a more stable light output over a range of temperatures. Technical Consumer Products (TCP) claim that retailers sell their lamp at ~$18 depending on the mark-ups. TCP is willing to produce the lamp in a 230-V version, but says that this makes the lamp about 15 percent more expensive. Presently, TCP is producing the lamp for the US State Department to be used in their facitilies overseas.
It is also interesting to note that TCP¹s product is a helical (spiral-shape) lamp.
TCP also sells modular sets with a pin-base lamp and adapter. This can reduce life-cycle costs if the yearly burning time is long.