Maintaining Optimum Fluorescent Lamp Performance Under Elevated Temperature Conditions

This paper describes a new technique for optimizing fluorescent lamp performance underselevated temperature conditions. This approach uses a thermo-electric Peltier device tosproduce a localized cold spot temperature of approximately 40°C, allowing the lamps tosmaintain maximum light output and efficacy independent of prevailing ambient temperaturessinside a luminaire.

Experimental data shows that a 20% increase in light output and a 10% increase insefficacy over typical lamp performance in a warm fixture environment can be obtained usingsthis device. Only 0.25 watts must be supplied to the Peltier device to produce these results.