What is the actual lamp output for T8 fluorescent...28 watt light bulb?
Depending on the type, watt, and manufacture of the fluorescent bulb, the lm outputs can vary.Most people are looking for a cheap bulb.
A 32 watt bulb with a color temperature of 3500k has an initial light intensity of 2850.
The answers are misleading depending on which fluorescent bulb or fixture you are talking about.
The amount of light generated by T8 fluorescent lamps varies from model to model and from manufacturer to manufacturer.
The range of values for rated initial light output is currently published for 121 lamp models by nine manufacturers for different correlated color temperatures.
The bubble represents the number of available models for each rated initial light output.The values are all over the place.
The fluorescent lamp shoots light in every direction and only 1/3 of it lights the intended surface.If the tube is mounted in a troffer it will always reflect within the fixture.
There is a light source.Once the light exits the fixture, the output is measured outside.It is usable light that is directed towards the intended surface.
30% optical losses from fixture, 30% light loss from fluorescent source, and fixture dirt/dust depreciation factors of.9 or greater are some of the lovely characteristics that GE patented in the 1940's.On a good day, the fluorescent lighting system produces 35% of the original bulb output.
You have a 4 bulb fluorescent fixture with 2850 lumens per bulb.Factor in the real world "robbers" from above, and you could see 7,410 lumens from that system on the first day.
In a typical retail environment, we might see 5,000 lights.When you put up a 45w 2'x2' against a 3 bulb T8 fluorescent system, the LEDs will win every time.
The light pattern produced by a fluorescent fixture is a mess.In order to achieve the same lighting levels that you can get with the optically controlled LEDs, you need many more fluorescent fixture.That's one of the reasons people are moving.
You get a uniform lighted environment with the excellent optical control of a LEDs.