We recommend Wipro, Surya
HBT and New Cema
Super as our Best Buys among the 40W tubelights.
Among the conforming brands of 40W tube lights,
the average efficacy (lumen/wattage) of Surya
was the highest, though not up to the `Ideal Efficacy' level,
while that of Anchor Classic was found
to be the lowest.
In 40W tubelights, Powerlites
(CM/L-8348989) manufactured by M/s Suntex Lamps Pvt.
Ltd., New Delhi, and Bengal Lamps
(CM/L -8348989) marketed by M/s Bengal Lamps & Components
Pvt. Ltd., Noida, did not conform to the requirements
of initial lumen. These two brands were also dropped from all
the subsequent tests.
We found that tubelights manufactured and sold
with ISI mark under BIS licence number CM/L 8348989 do not belong
to any BIS licensee for manufacturing tubelights. The BIS has
advised its branch offices to investigate availability of spuriously
marked "Bengal Lamps" brand
fluorescent lamps and take action.
All the 11 brands of 40W tubelights tested for
life conformed to the requirements of the Standard for life
test up to 2000 hrs.
The Standards require the minimum initial lumen
to be 2254. Philips Champion and Anchor
Classic claimed 'Brighter Light' and 'Extra Light',
respectively. Our result showed that they gave more than the
requirement. But there were brands (Wipro, Surya,
Cema) that did not make such claims and yet performed
better.
We have been continuing the test of tubelights
for 5000 hours as per the `scope' of the IS 2418 (Part 1) :
1977 (Amendment No. 3). Some brands are working even after 3000
hours.
Chokes :
As energy-efficient electronic chokes are now
available in the market, we tested 40W tubelights for consumption
of energy with electronic chokes. Energy consumption with electronic
chokes was found to be much less than that of electromagnetic
(copper and aluminium) chokes. This test is not specified in
IS 2418-1977.
There is a higher saving of energy with the use
of electronic choke than with electromagnetic choke. The purchase
cost of electronic choke is a little higher then that of a copper
chokes but can be recovered within 11 months (approx.) because
the utilisation cost of electronic chokes is much less. (Low
power consumption = less electricity bill)
Total harmonic distortion was found to be very
high in the brands of Electronic Chokes Rocker and GELCO (GC140).
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