Most fluorescent lamps require ballasts to provide proper starting voltage and regulate current during operation. The advantage of modular CFL products is that the ballast, which has a longer life than the lamp, can be reused when the lamp fails, thus reducing replacement costs and waste. When the lamp of a self-ballasted CFL fails, the entire unit must be replaced. CFL products have either magnetic or electronic ballasts. Electronic ballasts are lighter and quieter than magnetic ballasts, but cost more.
Some manufacturers offer dimmable electronic ballasts.
Many manufacturers provide optional accessories for their CFL products, such as reflectors, diffusers, and antitheft locking devices. This report summarizes amalgam technology and its effects on performance. Specifiers and end users must consider the differences between CFL products and incandescent lamps when specifying CFL products to replace incandescent lamps. They differ in performance characteristics such as efficacy, life, light output, power quality, light distribution, color, dimming, starting, flicker, glare, and sound. Of the 18, one had discontinued its CFL product line and three did not respond.