Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are "folded" fluorescent lamps – and equally effective energy savers. Thanks to their compact dimensions, they can be used in smaller, even round luminaires. Energy-saving lamps are compact fluorescent lamps with a screw base and are particularly popular for domestic applications. Brand products consume up to 80 percent less energy than incandescent lamps and have a much longer life.

Compact fluorescent and energy-saving lamps are low-pressure discharge lamps. Their characteristics mirror those of linear fluorescent lamps:

• long life of around 15,000 operating hours
• high luminous efficacy between 50 lm/W and 86 lm/W
• good colour rendering (R_a ≥ 80)
• choice of all three light colours: warm white, neutral white and daylight white.
  
  

Compact fluorescent lamps need to be operated by ballasts .

Compact fluorescent lamps feature a pin base

Compact fluorescent lamps have a pin base. Alongside the smaller models are wide and long four-tube lamps, square designs and elongated lamps. The ballast needs to be accommodated in the luminaire. Operated by appropriate EBs, CFLs are also dimmable.

Among the most exciting new developments are lamps with high luminous flux as well as a cap/holder system with compatible pin-base lamps. It connects EB and lampholder. With the new cap/holder system, manufacturers now have an easy way to modify luminaires that are currently supplied with incandescent lamp holders.

Energy-saving lamps: CFLs with a screw base

The energy-saving lamp is now established in the domestic lighting market. It features an incandescent-type screw base – E27 (large) or E14 (small) – so it can simply be screwed into the lampholder in place of an incandescent lamp. The power saving – a 11 W energy-saving lamp is as bright as a 60 W incandescent lamp – and a long life are arguments in favour of replacement.

With energy-saving lamps, the ballast is integrated in the lamp. Dimmable models exist and are specially identified as such. The wide range of designs available today includes small lamps to replace globe and candle-shaped incandescent lamps as well as energy-saving lamps in classical "bulb" design.