Difference between revisions of "Philips TL and TL-D"

The TL-D range was conceived as a complete portfolio which was quite well suited for any task. While commercial lighting was the most successful market, flourescent lamps were present also in residential and industrial environments and they were highly successful. Super 80, 90 De luxe and 90 Graphica lamps were up-market products that catered to efficiency as well as good colour reproduction. Until the advent of advanced LED lamps, flourescent lamps were unsurpassed in terms of efficiency and lighting comfort. The lamp's quick restart, good light stability even on conventional, magnetic gear, and reasonably simple wiring made them easy to service although the lamp bi-pin connection was prone to failure due to lamp's handling as well as normal wear, the system was reasonably easy to repair and failures were quite obvious. The only drawback of these upper market lamps ranges was a slightly higher price than typical TL-D standard lamps and sensitivity to operating temperatures, common to all flourescent lamps. This major drawback seriously limited outdoor applications.

Super 80 lamps were advantageous due to high luminous output and low price. The wide array of colour temperatures caters to any application. Warm colours or more active daylight ambiances can be created easily. The lamps' very good stability and output ensures a long service life with minimal degradation. This was especially important compared with TL-D Standard lamps, as the older lamp type aged much quicker and had lower light output along with colour reproduction. Requirements for higher than 80 Ra colour rendering index in Europe made the lamps extremely popular and even made them as cheap or even cheaper than TL-D standard lamps due to volumes, marketing and economies of scale. This 1980's lamp had a massive impact in late 90s and early 2000s as most indoor environments became light as such.

90 De Luxe lamps were very good flourescent lamps. Combining the efficiency of Super 80 lamps with the uniform spectrum allowed by certain technologies developed for TL-D standard lamps made the 90 De Luxe lamps a near high-end choice. With very good colour reproduction, quite high system efficiency and comfortable light with similar colour appearance choices as with Super 80 and standard TL-D lamps, 90 De Luxe lamps were offering major benefits in lighting unsurpassed by previous technologies. Although De Luxe lamps were developed in late 70s they suffered from reduced system efficiency and higher price which limited their market attractiveness. The new 90 De Luxe lamps offered good enough energy efficiency and light output to be competitive which meant that these flourescent lamps started to be more successful. However, their slightly higher cost and wide availability of Super 80 lamps made 90 De Luxe lamps a quite rare presence except in more demanding commercial and residential applications.

90 Graphica lamps were high-end lamps designed for requirements of niche markets. Their efficiency was much less important than strict adherence to product manufacturing control, stability, and accurate colour reproduction. These lamps are true state-of-the-art products for situations where proofing of printed or on-screen materials is paramount and they were very successful. This product line has existed for more than 20 years and perfectly suited demanding technical requirements but is less suited for home or office environments due to price and scarcity. Low light outputs relative to other lamp types and especially to the Super 80 line seriously limits appeal even if perfect colour reproduction is a major advantage. Keep in mind that no known light source was available until these and compatible lamps from other manufacturers reached a fantastic colour rendering index of 98. Although incandescent and high intensity discharge lamps can get close with filters and special lamp types to accurate daylight reproduction, 90 Graphica lamps are truly unique.