Laboratory lighting has always been the domain of the fluorescent tube as it has always been the lighting technology of choice because it has slightly more wavelengths than the typical incandescent or halogen light that is high in yellows and reds but low in blues.
The spectrum of a fluorescent tube is very irregular containing peaks in wavelengths where there is no main photoreceptor and also, they give off a lot of heat because they have a percentage of IR in their spectrum.
Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council was issued in 2011 and dictates the need to regulate the use of certain substances classified as hazardous for use in electrical and electronic equipment.
That EU document talks about materials such as mercury, cadmium or lead, which in some cases are used in fluorescent lamps. There are exemptions, but it is already clear what kind of lights cannot be manufactured due to this regulation that is now coming into force.
The problematic lights are T5 and T8 fluorescent tubes, which will be banned from manufacture from August 25, 2023. Previously, T5 circular fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps with socket (CFLni) had already been banned. From February 24, 2024, the production of plug-in compact fluorescent lamps will also be banned. Although the production of new units is not allowed, the sale and use of stored stock is authorized.
Restrictions for halogen lamps. These types of lamps are also affected by the regulation. In particular, pin lamps (G4, GY6.35, G9) will no longer be allowed for production as of September 1, 2023.
Natural sunlight, usually has values between 4000K and 5000K, being 4500K a correct and generalized average. For this reason, most manufacturers of LED luminaires that sell “full spectrum” usually incorporate a mixture of LEDs, mostly white with a lower percentage of specific red or blue LEDs, so that when everything is mixed on the same PCB, it is a full spectrum in the PAR range with peaks of red or blue, since it has been shown that the main photoreceptors involved in photosynthesis are chlorophyll A and B.
In FLUXEN we will advise you with our technical department so that you can choose viable options both economically and strategically to achieve the objectives set and also have over the years with quality products that can be used for the replication of tests.
