OSRAM DULUX F - Manual (Page 69)

Economical long-life light sources with plug-in bases
Compact Fluorescent Lamps OSRAM DULUX ®
Technical Guide
67
4.7 Dimming
Important notes regarding the dimming of single capped CONSTANT and Cold Spot lamps:
For optimum operation, new lamps should be aged for 100 hours at full output before they are
dimmed for the first time.
CONSTANT lamps react more slowly than Cold Spot lamps on variations in supplied electrical
power or ambient temperature. For this reason it is strictly recommended not to mix the two types in
an installation.
After stabilisation, colour temperature differences can be visible between dimmed (3 % luminous
flux) and undimmed lamps (100 % luminous flux).
When the lamps are dimmed to the lowest dimmer setting (3 % luminous flux) the colour
temperature shift compared with undimmed lamps might initially be significant. After a stabilization
period of 30 to 40 minutes (for CONSTANT lamps) or 20 to 30 minutes (for Cold Spot lamps) this
difference is reduced again.
4.7.1 Dimming of OSRAM DULUX CONSTANT lamps
The technical requirements for dimming also apply to CONSTANT lamps without restrictions. Note
also that the chemical activity of the amalgam causes a delayed reaction of the lamp with regard to
changes in power. This generally occurs with visible differences from one lamp to another. When
CONSTANT lamps are dimmed there may therefore be noticeable differences in brightness and
colour perception between lamps of the same type, even if they are operated under identical
conditions.
The luminous flux of free-operating OSRAM DULUX ® CONSTANT lamps stabilises at 100 % after 15
to 30 minutes. In the case of OSRAM DULUX ® Cold Spot lamps the luminous flux stabilizes within
less than 10 minutes.
These differences in brightness between CONSTANT lamps of the same wattage can also occur if
the lamps are operated in luminaires with different volumes. In such cases the different
temperatures within the luminaires have an effect on the light output of the lamps.
CONSTANT lamps can however be dimmed, with the restrictions mentioned above. For detailed
information about CONSTANT lamps in dimming operation in conjunction with OSRAM ECG (BAT
1 )
please see www.osram.com.
If the lamps are stored or switched off for a long period of time (> 20 hours) the mercury may
migrate into the amalgam. At low dimmer settings and low ambient temperatures, there is then the
possibility that the lamp will produce only very low light output (Hg-free stage, burning pink). This is
caused by a too low discharge temperature and no mercury present in the discharge (described in
4.3).
The solution is to allow the lamp to operate for about 5 minutes at full output and then to dim it (no
damage to the lamp).
For optimum operation, new lamps should be aged for 100 hours at full output before they are
dimmed for the first time.
1 best available technology