Difference between revisions of "Philips TL Mini and TL Mini Super 80"

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Philips TL Mini and TL Mini Super 80 (view source)

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Classic T12, Classic T8 or TL-D lamps, special TL Mini and TL Mini Super 80 lamps
Special TL Mini and TL Mini Super 80 fluorescent lamps


== Features ==
== Features ==
*Halophosphate based coating internal coating (T12, 26mm T8 and 16mm TL Mini lamps)
*Halophosphate based coating internal coating (16mm TL Mini lamps)
*Triphosphor internal coating (16mm diameter TL Mini Super 80 lamps)
*Triphosphor internal coating (16mm diameter TL Mini Super 80 lamps)
*Bi-pin G13 (TL and TL-D lamps) or G5 base (TL Mini and TL Mini Super 80 lamps)
*Bi-pin G5 base
*Color rendering index Ra of 55 to 85
*Color rendering index Ra of 55 to 85
*Typical lifetime of 5.000 (TL Mini) to 13.000 hours (TL and TL-D lamps)
*Typical lifetime of 5.000 hours
*Luminous efficacy of 35 to 77 lumens/watt
*Luminous efficacy of 35 to 77 lumens/watt
*Most colour designations (from 2700 to 6500 K colour temperature)
*Most colour designations (from 2700 to 6500 K colour temperature)
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TL Mini Super 80 lamps have been moderately improved version of the TL Mini standard lamp. Although these lamps have poor performance compared with their T8 counterparts due to the obsolete lamp gas filling that uses argon instead of krypton, their efficiency and colour reproduction is improved compared with standard TL Mini lamps. These lamps can be used on their own as accent or ambient lighting in small areas, due to their size.
TL Mini Super 80 lamps have been moderately improved version of the TL Mini standard lamp. Although these lamps have poor performance compared with their T8 counterparts due to the obsolete lamp gas filling that uses argon instead of krypton, their efficiency and colour reproduction is improved compared with standard TL Mini lamps. These lamps can be used on their own as accent or ambient lighting in small areas, due to their size.
TL lamps are the classic T12 flourescent light source that has been used for almost 80 years. Obsolete by 2000s standards, the lamp still survived in situations where performance in cold environments such as outdoor ones was appreciated as well as ones where the lamp's relative size resulted in less glare than T8 lamps. The lamp's performance was simply average as lamp end blackening is noticeable and the internal lamp coating does not have very good performance. Note that flicker is more visible than in T8 lamps. Overall, these lamps have been plentiful but they are somewhat scarcer today. They can be used where a diffuse light source is desirable. Although there were more advanced lamps that had Triphosphor coatings and better colour rendering, they were rare and the T12 54 or 765 type was a popular, standard, daylight flourescent lamp, widely used worldwide. It creates a good retro atmosphere when used in classic luminaires.
The TL-D lamps were a significant improvement of the T12 lamp and this meant that they were extremely popular. Using less power than T12 lamps they replaced them in most installations by the early 2000s. They had slightly less light output depreciation due to the lamp's gas filling and electrodes' design. As retro lamps, they create the same atmosphere as older T12 lamps, and they are widely available due to thousands of installations that used these lamps. Popular wattages are 18 and 36W, with a more pronounced market for the 36W type. The only slight issue is that T8 lamps are less suited for outdoor installations due to their preference for warmer environments.


== Understanding manufacturer data ==  
== Understanding manufacturer data ==  
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| TL Mini 4W/33-640 || G5 || 4 W || 140 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 20W/33-640 || G13 || 20 W || 1100 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 6W/35-535 || G5 || 6 W || 265 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 3000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 20W/54-765 || G13 || 20 W || 1000 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 6W/33-640 || G5 || 6 W || 260 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 40W/33-640 || G13 || 40 W || 2850 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 6W/54-765 || G5 || 6 W || 230 lm || Cool Daylight || 6200 K || 75 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 40W/54-765 || G13 || 40 W || 2500 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 8W/35-535 || G5 || 8 W || 390 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 65W/33-640 || G13 || 65 W || 4650 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 8W/33-640 || G5 || 8 W || 410 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
| TL 65W/54-765 || G13 || 65 W || 4100 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 8W/54-765 || G5 || 8 W || 340 lm || (Neutral) White || 6200 K || 75 || 5000 hours
|-
|-
 
| TL Mini 13W/35-535 || G5 || 13 W || 855 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 4000 hours
 
| TL-D 18W/33-640 || G13 || 18 W || 1200 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
|-
|-
| TL-D 18W/54-765 || G13 || 18 W || 1050 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
| TL Mini 13W/33-640 || G5 || 13 W || 930 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 4000 hours
|-
|-
| TL-D 36W/35-535 || G13 || 36 W || 3000 lm || Warm White || 3500 K || 55|| 13000 hours
| TL Mini 13W/54-765 || G5 || 13 W || 740 lm || Cool Daylight || 6200 K || 75 || 4000 hours
|-
| TL-D 36W/33-640 || G13 || 36 W || 2850 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
|-
| TL-D 36W/54-765 || G13 || 36 W || 2500 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
|-
| TL-D 58W/33-640 || G13 || 58 W || 4600 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 63 || 13000 hours
|-
| TL-D 58W/54-765 || G13 || 58 W || 4000 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 72 || 13000 hours
|-
|-


| MASTER TL Mini Super 80 6W/840 || G5 || 6 W || 320 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 5000 hours
| MASTER TL Mini Super 80 6W/840 || G5 || 6 W || 320 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 5000 hours
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|-
|-
| MASTER TL Mini Super 80 13W/840 || G5 || 13 W || 1000 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 4000 hours
| MASTER TL Mini Super 80 13W/840 || G5 || 13 W || 1000 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 4000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 4W/33-640 || G5 || 4 W || 140 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 6W/35-535 || G5 || 6 W || 265 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 3000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 6W/33-640 || G5 || 6 W || 260 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 6W/54-765 || G5 || 6 W || 230 lm || Cool Daylight || 6200 K || 75 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 8W/35-535 || G5 || 8 W || 390 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 8W/33-640 || G5 || 8 W || 410 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 8W/54-765 || G5 || 8 W || 340 lm || (Neutral) White || 6200 K || 75 || 5000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 13W/35-535 || G5 || 13 W || 855 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 55 || 4000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 13W/33-640 || G5 || 13 W || 930 lm || Cool White || 4100 K || 60 || 4000 hours
|-
| TL Mini 13W/54-765 || G5 || 13 W || 740 lm || Cool Daylight || 6200 K || 75 || 4000 hours
|-
|-
|}
|}
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Notes:  
Notes:  
* "MASTER" designation should point at better performing lamps but it is meaningless in this lamp range as they were normal lamps by the late 2000s;
* "MASTER" designation should point at better performing lamps but it is meaningless in this lamp range as they were normal lamps by the late 2000s;
* there were 14W, 23W, 30W, the 1 meter 36W and standard 70W lamps as well but they were never as popular as the 18, 36 and 58 W ones, hence why they are omitted; also note that lamp gears and fixtures for these wattages is quite scarce as well; just as well, the 6 and 13W TL Mini lamp types were a lot less popular than the 8W one;
* the 6 and 13W TL Mini lamp types were a lot less popular than the 8W one;
* Neutral white colour appearance lamps were seldomly used as the 3000, 4000, 6500 K lamps offered satisfactory variety; the 3500 K lamps or neutral white were traditionally popular in the United Kingdom;
* Neutral white colour appearance lamps were seldomly used as the 3000, 4000, 6500 K lamps offered satisfactory variety; the 3500 K lamps or neutral white were traditionally popular in the United Kingdom;


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The best service life can be achieved using electronic gear that has preheat. Note that TL and TL-D lamps are perfectly interchangeable on their gears as the TL-D lamp was purposefully designed to operate at reduced current on the same conventional ballast as the TL lamps.
The best service life can be achieved using electronic gear that has preheat. Note that TL and TL-D lamps are perfectly interchangeable on their gears as the TL-D lamp was purposefully designed to operate at reduced current on the same conventional ballast as the TL lamps.


Due to their construction, flourescent lamps cannot be trully repaired. However, if one of the end electrodes remain open due to the coil's sudden rupture as a result of a shock or any other damage, and the lamp does not have strong blackening, it can be repaired. Bridging the broken fillament lamp ends on the side that has been measured as noncontinuous with an ohmmeter, using a wire strip and soldering or careful tightening, can render the lamp operable again. However, note that the lamp is more dangerous to operate as the magnetic or electronic gear used with the lamp is stressed more to start the lamp. Some warm start electronic ballasts may be damaged if one of the lamp's end are shorted, so there is some risk involved. Lamp gears may be overheating when attempting to start the lamp for a long time, so if this occurs, consider the lamp as disposable.
Due to their construction, flourescent lamps cannot be truly repaired. However, if one of the end electrodes remain open due to the coil's sudden rupture as a result of a shock or any other damage, and the lamp does not have strong blackening, it can be repaired. Bridging the broken fillament lamp ends on the side that has been measured as noncontinuous with an ohmmeter, using a wire strip and soldering or careful tightening, can render the lamp operable again. However, note that the lamp is more dangerous to operate as the magnetic or electronic gear used with the lamp is stressed more to start the lamp. Some warm start electronic ballasts may be damaged if one of the lamp's end are shorted, so there is some risk involved. Lamp gears may be overheating when attempting to start the lamp for a long time, so if this occurs, consider the lamp as disposable.


== Greatest features & flaws ==
== Greatest features & flaws ==
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! Features !! Flaws  
! Features !! Flaws  
|-
|-
| Low glare risk, uniform lighting || Quite large lamps and fixtures
| Low glare risk, uniform lighting || Low efficiency
|-
|-
| Widely available || Fragile construction, poor service life and colour rendering
| Widely available || Fragile construction, poor service life and colour rendering
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== Review ==
== Review ==
While commercial lighting was the most successful market, flourescent lamps were present also in residential and industrial environments and they were highly successful. Until the advent of advanced LED lamps, these flourescent lamps were cheap to operate and had good enough performance. 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 sensitivity to operating temperatures, common to all flourescent lamps, limited outdoor applications as well as indoor ones where the lamp heats too much. This major drawback seriously limited outdoor applications.
While commercial lighting was the most successful market, flourescent lamps were present also in residential and industrial environments and they were highly successful. Until the advent of advanced LED lamps, these flourescent lamps were cheap to operate and had good enough performance. 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 sensitivity to operating temperatures, common to all flourescent lamps, limited outdoor applications as well as indoor ones where the lamp heats too much. This major drawback seriously limited outdoor applications.
TL lamps are easily recognizable due to their large tube diameter. While not quite modern in many respects, the TL lamps were easy to exchange and had very predictable performance. While the internal coating degradation was highly visible, their colour reproduction was reasonable, especially for the popular "Cool daylight" lamp. The 40W lamp type was the most iconic, being used in commercial, industrial and some residential areas. Lamp flicker was noticeable due to the lack of an guard mounted near electrodes as in TL-D lamps. Compared with modern lamps, the TL type fares very poorly in efficiency and light quality.
The TL-D lamp range was quite successful. Although standard lamps brought mostly energy efficiency improvements, these lamp types can be desirable if they light an area where colour reproduction is not critical. Note that the both the "Cool Daylight" and "Cool White" lamps have reasonable performance although the cool white type had worse colour reproduction. Another advantage of TL-D lamps is their more compact size, allowing smaller warehousing space.


TL Mini lamps are more of a niche product. While their performance is very low, making them avoidable if any efficiency or lifespan is considered, these lamps were used in signage applications and emergency lights, where they were better performing than terribly inefficient incandescent bulbs. In other aplications were compact light sources were required, the lamp was only a modest choice, as permanent lamp operation was affected by their poor service life and requirement for frequent exchanges. However, they were quite succcessful as small shoplights, designed to highlight some products at close range.
TL Mini lamps are more of a niche product. While their performance is very low, making them avoidable if any efficiency or lifespan is considered, these lamps were used in signage applications and emergency lights, where they were better performing than terribly inefficient incandescent bulbs. In other aplications were compact light sources were required, the lamp was only a modest choice, as permanent lamp operation was affected by their poor service life and requirement for frequent exchanges. However, they were quite succcessful as small shoplights, designed to highlight some products at close range.
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== Operation ==  
== Operation ==  
All lamps require the same lamp gear that can be either conventional, composed of a magnetic, reactive or inductive ballast placed in series with the lamp along with a starter that preheats the lamp's filament to ensure reliable starts and low lamp stress. An electronic lamp gear, preferably with preheating, can be used to increase light output, eliminate flicker and increase the lamp's service life. Note that some cheap electronic ballasts do not actually offer preheating and start instantly the lamp, reducing the lamp's useful life. Preheating of lamps is assumed if there is any mention of a 0.5second duration on the electronic ballast label or the word preheating. Most world manufacturers released electronic control gear and some products even allowed variable dimming using special protocols.  
All lamps require the same lamp gear that can be either conventional, composed of a magnetic, reactive or inductive ballast placed in series with the lamp along with a starter that preheats the lamp's filament to ensure reliable starts and low lamp stress. An electronic lamp gear, preferably with preheating, can be used to increase light output, eliminate flicker and increase the lamp's service life. Note that some cheap electronic ballasts do not actually offer preheating and start instantly the lamp, reducing the lamp's useful life. Preheating of lamps is assumed if there is any mention of a 0.5 second duration on the electronic ballast label or the word preheating. Most world manufacturers released electronic control gear and some products even allowed variable dimming using special protocols.  


While a dimmed flouresecent lamp is not as efficient as full power operation, there were and are some environments were such flexibility is appreciated. Note that starting and operating dimmed lamps is less reliable and the temperature balance and optimum operation conditions slightly deviate in these circumstances. Overpowering a lamp is possible but it is not advised. While Super 80 lamps are best suited for these circumstance that increase light output with some reduction in efficiency and service lamps, operation in such conditions stresses the lamp. Note that operating in cold environments, as a deviation from ideal conditions, reduces lamp current and power, making the lamp slightly unstable and dim.
While a dimmed flouresecent lamp is not as efficient as full power operation, there were and are some environments were such flexibility is appreciated. Note that starting and operating dimmed lamps is less reliable and the temperature balance and optimum operation conditions slightly deviate in these circumstances. Overpowering a lamp is possible but it is not advised. While Super 80 lamps are best suited for these circumstance that increase light output with some reduction in efficiency and service lamps, operation in such conditions stresses the lamp. Note that operating in cold environments, as a deviation from ideal conditions, reduces lamp current and power, making the lamp slightly unstable and dim.


== Suitability ==  
== Suitability ==  
A major advantage of T8 and TL-D lamps, regardless of type, is their full compatibility with systems of similar power ratings that were used with T12 lamps along with full replacement capability of any lamp type at a specific wattage. This makes it possible to test and replace many lamps of a specific wattage even mix lamps in multi-lamp fixtures to create a desired effect. Compatibility of T12 and T8 lamps was very important in the past as new T8 lamps were more efficient and used less power while being fully capable to be retrofitted on old installations.
TL mini lamps and especially TL Mini Super 80 lamps are highly useful as showcase light, due to their small size and preference for hotter operation, so a compact display case or fixture does not affect their output and is generally preferred.
TL mini lamps and especially TL Mini Super 80 lamps are highly useful as showcase light, due to their small size and preference for hotter operation, so a compact display case or fixture does not affect their output and is generally preferred.


Closed as well as open fixtures are very well suited for any lamp type. In general, open fixtures are better suited for lamps operating in warmer indoor environments while enclosed fixtures are better suited for colder environments. Despite what any datasheet may suggest, deviating higher or lower than the set 30-35 degrees Celsius lamp temperature slightly reduces efficiency. Super 80 lamps are the least affected by temperature changes as only the internal UV radiation can be influenced.
Closed as well as open fixtures are very well suited for any lamp type. In general, open fixtures are better suited for lamps operating in warmer indoor environments while enclosed fixtures are better suited for colder environments. Despite what any datasheet may suggest, deviating higher or lower than the set 30-35 degrees Celsius lamp temperature slightly reduces efficiency. Super 80 lamps are the least affected by temperature changes as only the internal UV radiation can be influenced. TL Mini lamps are more sensitive to additional light losses due to internal coating's temperature variation than TL Mini Super 80.
TL, TL-D and TL Mini lamps are more sensitive to additional light losses due to internal coating's temperature variation than TL Mini Super 80.


== History ==
== History ==
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== Manufacturing specificities ==
== Manufacturing specificities ==
Philips flourescent lamps had very good manufacturing tolerances and the lamp's construction along with flourescent powder quality made reliable, predictable operation entirely ensured. Other world manufacturers were capable of similar performance. However, some slight differences were noticeable. For instance, Philips had slightly less powerful red phosporus than Osram, which means that entirely equivalent lamps from both manufacturers had slightly different colour appearance. On the other side, Chinese branded lamps were much inferior in terms of flourescent powder quality and colour reproduction as well as efficiency and service life.
Philips flourescent lamps had very good manufacturing tolerances and the lamp's construction along with flourescent powder quality made reliable, predictable operation entirely ensured. Other world manufacturers were capable of similar performance. However, some slight differences were noticeable. For instance, Philips had slightly less powerful red phosphorus than Osram, which means that entirely equivalent lamps from both manufacturers had slightly different colour appearance. On the other side, Chinese branded lamps were much inferior in terms of flourescent powder quality and colour reproduction as well as efficiency and service life.


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