See also:   
Exit & Emergency FAQ's, Troubleshooting Guide   
Glossary, Installation Instructions   

1. Why choose a fluorescent fixture?

Fluorescent fixtures supply more efficient lighting than incandescent fixtures, output more light (approximately three times as much) and their light bulbs last up to 20 times longer.

2. What type of fluorescent fixture should I choose for the kitchen or laundry room?

You might choose a Decorative, Undercabinet or Wraparound fixture. Simkar designer and traditional lighting fixtures provide the ultimate in performance, while complementing virtually any decor.

3. What type of fluorescent fixture would be suitable for a home office?

Simkar offers highly functional task lighting, along with a variety of decorative fixtures, such as the Wood-Sided Decorative or Cloud. Accent/Cove lighting fixtures help illuminate walls, too. You can combine a personalized touch with high-output lighting for a pleasant work-at-home space.

4. What type of fluorescent fixture is best for a basement/recreation room?

Simkar fixtures are available for surface and T-bar (lay-in) and flanged (plaster) ceilings common in basements and recreation rooms. These fixtures include the Decorative, Wraparound, Troffer, Grid Light or Accent/Cove.

5. What fixtures would I choose for a garage or workshop?

Simkar offers a selection of functional, highly versatile enclosed and bare bulb work lights, such as the Strips, Deluxe Work Light, Cold Weather Strip and the Low Temperature Work Light.

6. What fluorescent fixtures would I choose for a utility room, storage room or bathroom?

You might choose the Strips, Wall Mount, Wraparound, Accent/Cove or Bath Bar. These surface-mounted fluorescent fixture are flexible and economical.

7. What are the two major types of fluorescent lights and their advantages?

Fluorescent T-12 Tubes, e. g., 25-, 34- or 40-watt 4-foot lamps:

• Energy efficient and cost-effective
• Last 20 times longer than incandescent lighting
• Provide high quality light (70+ CRI)
• Make surrounding colors more appealing
• Low maintenance costs
• Cooler than halogen and incandescent lamps
• Save on air conditioning costs
• More energy efficient than recessed incandescent lighting

Fluorescent T-8 Tubes, e. g., a 32-watt 4-foot lamp:

• 70-80 CRI provides high quality light
• 80+ CRI produces even clearer, more vibrant and natural looking colors
• Up to 30% more energy efficient than T-12 lamps
• Cooler than halogen and incandescent lamps
• Save on air conditioning costs

8. What is CRI?

The Color Rendering Index (CRI) measures color rendering from light sources with respect to natural sunlight. Natural sunlight equals 100 CRI, the best light available. So the closer the CRI number is to 100, the more closely colors will appear as they do in sunlight. And lights with the highest CRI numbers product the clearest, most vibrant and natural-looking colors.

9. What are the major colors are available in fluorescent light bulbs?

• Warm White - Use where skin tones and wood tones are important, such as kitchens, bathrooms and recreation rooms.
• Cool White - Use where color is not as critical, such as utility rooms, storage areas and garages.
• Color-Corrected (e.g. 3500K) - Use where precise color matching is critical, for example in laundry rooms and closets.

10. What type of commercial fluorescent fixture would be used in an office?

Simkar has it all -- attractive, contemporary and cost efficient fixtures that provide exceptionally lighted offices spaces -- fixtures such as the Troffer, Parabolic, Strips or Undercabinet.

11. What type of fluorescent fixtures might be used in a school?

Precision engineered and highly efficient Simkar fluorescent fixtures, such as the Troffer, Parabolic, and Strips, produce optimal illumination for areas like corridors and libraries.

12. What type of fluorescent fixtures would you suggest for an apartment building? Or a workshop/factory?

With Simkar's wide selection, it is easy to select the ideal materials, styles and options for your commercial applications. For an apartment, you might use the Troffer, Parabolic, Strips, Decorative or Accent/Cove. For a workshop or factory, Strips, Work Light, Industrial, Wet Location Channel or 8-foot strip.

13. What are the different types of ballasts and what do they do?

• Magnetic Ballast - use high quality electromagnetic materials to help save on energy consumption. There are two kinds:
• Residential Grade Ballast - energy saving. Produces same lumens per watt as commercial grade ballasts, but since residential grade ballasts use fewer watts, they have lower total light output than commercial grade ballasts. Not for commercial applications.
• Energy Saving Ballast - Highest quality, highest performing magnetic ballast available. 30% more light output than residential grade ballasts. Saves 68% in energy costs against incandescent lamps (one 34 watt fluorescent vs. one 50 watt incandescent), $124 over the life of the light bulb based on costs of 10¢/kw hour. Economical to install; for commercial use; meets Federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
• Electronic Ballast - incorporates solid state technology, integrated circuits and transistors to save energy, and eliminate lamp flicker. Has five year warranty.
• Rapid Start Ballast - dedicated circuits continuously heat lamp filaments to make lamps easier and quicker to start (less than 2 seconds). Properly heated filaments extent light bulb life.
• High Output Ballast - Fast, easy starting. Gives 48% more light than rapid start ballast.
• Very High Output, Super High Output - another fast, easy starting ballast. Gives 57% more light than High Output ballasts. Best choice for use in low temperature applications as most VHO ballasts will start down to minus 20 degrees F.
• Preheat Ballast - economical ballast. Starts light bulbs in 2-4 seconds.

14. Do fluorescent fixture ballasts hum?

All ballasts hum to some minor degree. Ballasts for 48 inch, 72 inch and 96 inch slimline lamps are sound rated C and D and are the least quiet. Slimline ballasts should only be used in industrial/commercial applications where noise is not a problem. Energy saving ballasts, residential ballasts, and solid state (electronic) ballasts are sound rated A. You may hear them in a quiet room.  However, in most applications, noise from sound rated A ballasts is covered up by the usual amount of ambient noise in a typical room. A loose magnetic ballast can be the cause of ballast hum. Check that ballast mounting screws are tight.

15. Do I have to ground all fixtures?

Yes. You must ground all fixtures for effective use and safety.

16. Can I use a dimming switch on a fluorescent fixture?

Yes, BUT ONLY if the fluorescent fixture is equipped with a special dimming ballast, which can be special ordered. DO NOT use an ordinary dimming switch made for an incandescent light bulb with fluorescent fixtures.

17. If I require less lighting, do I need to install all the light bulbs or can I leave one out?

All light bulbs must be installed for the unit to operate correctly. Ballasts are designed to drive all the light bulbs and use energy regardless of whether or not a bulb is installed. For light bulbs and ballast to function most efficiently and to full brightness, install all required bulbs (especially circline types).

18. When should I change the fluorescent bulb?

If you see darkened ends on any fluorescent light bulb, this may indicate that the light bulb should be replaced for best results. A new light bulb will keep the fixture running efficiently and at maximum brightness.

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