Difference between revisions of "Philips Master TL-D 90 Graphica"

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High colour rendering T8 fluorescent linear lamps TL-D type Super 80, 90 De Luxe, 90 Graphica
Very High colour rendering T8 fluorescent linear lamps TL-D type 90 Graphica


== Features ==
== Features ==
*Triphosphor internal coating outer bulb (Super 80 lamps)
*Special Halophosphate based coating
*Triphosphor internal coating and additional coating (TL-D 90 De Luxe)
*G3 Bi-pin base
*Special Halophosphate based coating (90 Graphica lamps)
*Color rendering index Ra of 95
*Bi-pin base
*Color rendering index Ra of 80 to 95
*Typical lifetime of 20.000 to 24.000 hours
*Typical lifetime of 20.000 to 24.000 hours
*Luminous efficacy of 61 to 93 lumens/watt
*Luminous efficacy of 61 to 93 lumens/watt
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== Best retro purpose ==
== Best retro purpose ==
Flourescent lamps are the most popular and widely used lighting source. Still widely used in most indoor environments due to their high effciency and very good colour reproduction, flourescent lamp stocks and availability is still high. Millions of these lamps have been produced worldwide for decades. They are clearly suited for indoor lighting especially when paired with an electronic ballast that eliminates flicker and also increases system efficiency. Due to the great variety of lamps, there are some suggestions for use. Most flourescent lamps operate well at 25 degrees Celsius ambient temperature and have very low light output in freezing or below freezing environments but hot environments also reduce efficiency.
Flourescent lamps are the most popular and widely used lighting source. Still widely used in most indoor environments due to their high efficiency and very good colour reproduction, flourescent lamp stocks and availability is still high. Millions of these lamps have been produced worldwide for decades. They are clearly suited for indoor lighting especially when paired with an electronic ballast that eliminates flicker and also increases system efficiency. Due to the great variety of lamps, there are some suggestions for use. Most flourescent lamps operate well at 25 degrees Celsius ambient temperature and have very low light output in freezing or below freezing environments but hot environments also reduce efficiency.
 
Super 80 lamps have been the most popular lamp type since the early 2000s and up to the present (2021). They may still be found new, are cheap and have very good performance. This lamp type is especially suited for areas that require a large amount of light. Due to the lamp's size and luminous flux, they are best suited for floodlighting although they can be just as well used for general lighting in any conditions. These lamps have a tendency of over saturating objects colour appearance which may be a desired or undesired side effect. Any interior can be well and pleasantly light with these lamps although foliage, plants, flowers are very well showcased.
 
90 De Luxe lamps have balanced, good colour reproduction with a slight efficiency reduction compared with Super 80 lamps. Due to their slightly higher sale price and slightly lower luminous flux, they were significantly less popular than Super 80 lamps. The major benefits of these lamps is that colour reproduction is very close to natural light, offering a highly realistic perspective on the environments. 90 De Luxe lamps can showcase fine goods, furniture, creating a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere in offices, living and dining rooms, bedrooms.


90 Graphica lamps were specialist items, high-end products that had a highly accurate colour reproduction. They were used in environments such as the printing and publishing business were comparisons and proofing of printed materials was required. These lamps had very low efficiency compared with other flourescent lamps but had a almost unique abilities for professional environments. While these lamps can be used in interior lighting and they showcase everything as is they were light by the sun on a clear day, their lower efficiency, slightly higher luminous flux loss due to aging and limited colour appearance selection make them quite unsuitable for general lighting. 90 Graphica lamps have been manufactured in very low quantities which means that stocks are scarce.
90 Graphica lamps were specialist items, high-end products that had a highly accurate colour reproduction. They were used in environments such as the printing and publishing business were comparisons and proofing of printed materials was required. These lamps had very low efficiency compared with other flourescent lamps but had a almost unique abilities for professional environments. While these lamps can be used in interior lighting and they showcase everything as is they were light by the sun on a clear day, their lower efficiency, slightly higher luminous flux loss due to aging and limited colour appearance selection make them quite unsuitable for general lighting. 90 Graphica lamps have been manufactured in very low quantities which means that stocks are scarce.
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! Designation !! Base !! Lamp wattage !! Luminous flux !! Colour appearance !! Colour Temperature !! Colour Rendering Index (Ra8) !! Life (to 50% failures)
! Designation !! Base !! Lamp wattage !! Luminous flux !! Colour appearance !! Colour Temperature !! Colour Rendering Index (Ra8) !! Life (to 50% failures)
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 18W/827 || G13 || 18 W || 1350 lm || Incandescent White || 2700 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 18W/830 || G13 || 18 W || 1350 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 18W/830 || G13 || 18 W || 1350 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 18W/840 || G13 || 18 W || 1350 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 18W/865 || G13 || 18 W || 1300 lm || Daylight || 6500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 36W/827 || G13 || 36 W || 3350 lm || Incandescent White || 2700 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 36W/830 || G13 || 36 W || 3350 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 36W/835 || G13 || 36 W || 3350 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 36W/840 || G13 || 36 W || 3350 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 36W/865 || G13 || 36 W || 3250 lm || Daylight || 6500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 58W/827 || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Incandescent White || 2700 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 58W/830 || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 58W/835 || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || (Neutral) White || 3500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 58W/840 || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D Super 80 58W/865 || G13 || 58 W || 5000 lm || Daylight || 6500 K || 85 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 18W/930 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 1100 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 92 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 18W/940 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 1200 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 91 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 18W/950 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 1150 lm || Daylight || 5300 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 18W/965 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 1100 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 36W/930 SLV || G13 || 36 W || 2800 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 92 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 36W/940 SLV || G13 || 36 W || 2800 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 91 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 36W/950 SLV || G13 || 36 W || 2800 lm || Daylight || 5300 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 36W/965 SLV || G13 || 36 W || 2800 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 58W/930 SLV || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Warm White || 3000 K || 92 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 58W/940 SLV || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Cool White || 4000 K || 91 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 58W/950 SLV || G13 || 58 W || 5200 lm || Daylight || 5300 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 De Luxe 58W/965 SLV || G13 || 58 W || 5000 lm || Cool Daylight || 6500 K || 93 || 20000 hours
|-
|-
| MASTER TL-D 90 Graphica 18W/950 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 950 lm || Daylight || 5300 K || 98 || 20000 hours
| MASTER TL-D 90 Graphica 18W/950 SLV || G13 || 18 W || 950 lm || Daylight || 5300 K || 98 || 20000 hours
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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;
* 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 ommitted; also note that lamp gears and fixtures for these wattages is quite scarce as well;
* 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;


== Durability and Repair-ability ==
== Durability and Repair-ability ==
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| Low glare risk, uniform lighting || Quite large lamps and fixtures
| Low glare risk, uniform lighting || Quite large lamps and fixtures
|-
|-
| High efficiency, long life, very good colour rendering || Fragile construction
| Moderate efficiency, long life, almost perfect colour rendering || Fragile construction
|-
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| Mostly suited for directional light || Sensitive to operating temperature
| Mostly suited for directional light || Sensitive to operating temperature
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== Review ==
== Review ==
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.
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. 90 Graphica lamps were up-market products that catered to excellent 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.
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.
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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 0.5second 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.  


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 flourescent 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.
A major advantage of T8 or 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.


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. 90 De Luxe and especially 90 Graphica lamps are more sensitive to additional light losses due to internal coating's temperature variation.
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. 90 Graphica lamps are more sensitive to additional light losses due to internal coating's temperature variation.


== History ==
== History ==
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The advent of high efficiency tri-band or tri-phosphorous lamps was the most important landmark. Successful development of flourescent powders that had peak UV to visible light conversion at blue, red, and green colours with peaks near the ideal wavelengths made it possible to release lamps with specific colour appearances. This high energy in light conversion was complemented by changes in the lamps gas's fill from argon to Krypton, reducing thermal losses with a slight increase in operating voltage and starting voltage. This was the market releases of the the highly successful T8 lamp, or TL-D lamp that dominated since the early 90s. Of course, up until this time there were improvements in cathodes design and electron emmissive coatings as well as other performance enhancing solutions but the release of the TL-D lamp was the most important moment.
The advent of high efficiency tri-band or tri-phosphorous lamps was the most important landmark. Successful development of flourescent powders that had peak UV to visible light conversion at blue, red, and green colours with peaks near the ideal wavelengths made it possible to release lamps with specific colour appearances. This high energy in light conversion was complemented by changes in the lamps gas's fill from argon to Krypton, reducing thermal losses with a slight increase in operating voltage and starting voltage. This was the market releases of the the highly successful T8 lamp, or TL-D lamp that dominated since the early 90s. Of course, up until this time there were improvements in cathodes design and electron emmissive coatings as well as other performance enhancing solutions but the release of the TL-D lamp was the most important moment.


Production of specialist lamps started in the 1950s with coloured lamps but also expanded to include De Luxe and specific lamps that would cater for many purposes. De Luxe lamps were an improvement of standard lamps in terms of colour reproction but was less efficient and had shorter service life due to coatings that were less stable in time than standard lamps. The advent of the tri-band TL-D flourescent lamp opened up the possibility of using part of its development to release new De Luxe lamps by combining such phosphorus coatings with previously developed ones. The result was a more stable, higher efficiency De Luxe lamp. Graphica lamps were a slight adaptation of previously developed phosphorus to TL-D lamps and their gas's fill and some experimentation in improving other aspects of operation to achieve better performance.
Production of specialist lamps started in the 1950s with coloured lamps but also expanded to include De Luxe and specific lamps that would cater for many purposes. De Luxe lamps were an improvement of standard lamps in terms of colour reproduction but was less efficient and had shorter service life due to coatings that were less stable in time than standard lamps. Graphica lamps were a slight adaptation of previously developed phosphorus to TL-D lamps and their gas's fill and some experimentation in improving other aspects of operation to achieve better performance.


== 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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