These bulbs are probably one of the most used fluorescents in the history of lighting over the past decades.  In the past, before compact fluorescent, the circline fluorescent light bulbs were probably the most "compact" anything you could buy.  They were more energy efficient than incandescent lamps and were reasonably priced as well.  Now with the advent of smaller compact lamps, the humble circline is being replaced in many architectural and commercial applications.  They are an option for home users as many residential fixtures still use these because of their low cost.  We stock the Sylvania and Westinghouse brands in all available wattages with the product being by a number such as FC8T9, FC12T9 or FC16T9 just to name some of the more popular sizes.  These numbers refer to the diameter of the circle and the T9 references the diameter of the tube itself.  They are available in T9, T6 and the newer, more efficient T5 which are electronically ballasted.  The T6 are unique to one manufacturer which is TCP and they are the one people are using in floor lamps made by TCP also.

When it comes to lighting up a home or business, circline fluorescent light bulbs are an old reliable technology that finds it's way into many homes and multi-housing common areas. They are chosen most often because of the great light output along with energy efficiency as well. When compared to incandescent lighting, these are longer lasting, using much less energy making them a valid choice for almost any type of lighting.  As with all fluorescent bulbs, they rely on ballasts inside of the fixtures or units to make them work. The ballast is important because it is specific for each type of lamp. You can't change from one type of fluorescent to another without changing the ballast in most cases. This is especially true with circline fluorescent light bulbs, they almost always have an exclusive ballast for each lamp.

The latest invention from Sylvania is the Pentron T5 circline fluorescent light bulbs which deliver the most energy efficiency in a circle of light.  These have been incorporated into many new types of light fixtures in conjunction with a larger energy saving program.  They are available in 22, 40 and 55 watts which make them a great replacement for many types of high wattage incandescent.  The T5 refers to the width which is 5/8 of an inch in diameter.  Another plus about these lamps is the improved color rendition that they provide.  You will see colors more vibrant under these lamps and the color temperatures available are the 3000K, 3500K and 4100K.  This means that fixtures they're used in will match up with other similar colors in an office or architectural lighting sense.

Remember that there are many types of circline fluorescent light bulbs, we give an overview of the most common used in commercial lighting here. Keep in mind that we also stock all the larger or linear types of fluorescent lamps used in commercial lighting too. Whatever type you choose or have, you will be saving energy while getting the most light you can for your money. We have a large inventory of fluorescent bulbs for nearly every type of light fixture in the field.  If you need help identifying a bulb, our customer service representatives can help you determine what you have.