CFL Wattage Equivalent Guide

To replace a traditional incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent lamp (also known as CFL) it is important to understand what the equivalent wattage would be between the two different types of technology.  CFL technology produces the same level of brightness as incandescent bulbs whilst using a lot less electricity. This has led to CFL lamps being a widely recognised alternative to incandescent lighting.  They can be used in homes, offices, and commercial buildings as an effective energy-efficient lighting solution.

CFL bulbs are made in many different formats and these include; PL-C lamps, PL-S lamps, PL-L lamps, PL-T lamps and 2D light bulbs. Each of these lamp types have different wattage options available and varying light output levels depending on the fixture and lighting application.

Understanding CFL Wattage Equivalents

Wattage is a measure of the amount of electrical power used by a bulb.  However with the development of lighting technology making bulbs more energy efficient it can no longer be used as an indicator of how bright a bulb will be.  When you are looking at an incandescent bulb a higher wattage will often indicate the brightness of the bulb but this will not work when you are comparing incandescent bulbs to CFL bulbs.  CFL bulbs are able to produce a much brighter light than incandescent lamps whilst using a much lower amount of wattage.

A 15W CFL for example will produce a similar level of brightness to a 60 watt incandescent bulb.  It is clear from this example that users can save a lot of energy by swapping over from incandescent lighting to CFL lighting.

Below is a table comparing equivalent levels of brightness and what the wattage will be  between incandescent and CFL lights:

The above applies to screw-in CFL lamps but it will not be the same for PL-C, PL-S, PL-L, PL-T AND 2D lamps as these are specifically made for a particular type of fitting.

PL-C Lamps Wattage Guide

PL-C lamps are one of the most common types of compact fluorescent lamps used in commercial lighting. They have a folded tube design that allows them to produce relatively high light output but still be compact enough to fit into downlights and recessed light fixtures.

PL-C lamps are typically available in 10W; 13W, 18W and 26W versions.  They are often used in office, retail, hotel and commercial lighting as they provide a consistent bright light without taking up too much space.  

Below is a rough guide on PL-C wattages and their approximate equivalent wattage to incandescent lights:

PL-C lamps are available in both 2-pin and 4-pin versions.  A 2-pin version will work with a magnetic ballast and a 4-pin version will work with an electronic ballast. 

PL-S Lamps Wattage Guide

PL-S lamps are a smaller style of compact fluorescent lamp that has been designed for fittings where space is limited. These lamps are often used in decorative lighting, wall lights, and smaller commercial fixtures.

PL-S lamps are generally available in 5W; 7W, 9W and 11W.  Due to their smaller size they are often used for applications that require a lower light output compared to other types of CFL.

PL-S estimate lamp wattage equivalents can be seen below:

PL-S lamps are also available in both 2-pin and 4-pin configurations and both types can be found in magnetic and electronic ballast lighting systems.

PL-L Lamps Wattage Guide

PL-L lamps are larger types of compact fluorescent lamps which have been designed to deliver higher light output levels. They feature a longer tube design enabling them to produce a larger amount of light in comparison to smaller CFL lamp formats.

PL-L lamps are typically available in the following wattages: 18W, 24w, 36w and 55W.  These lamps are often used in professional lighting environments due to their increased light output.

Typical brightness equivalents for PL-L lamps are below:

PL-L lamps are mostly available as 4-pin lamps made to work with electronic ballasts. 

PL-T Lamps Wattage Guide

PL-T lamps are compact fluorescent lamps that have three tubes in their design. This structure allows them to produce a strong source of light illumination while staying a relatively small size.  They are commonly found in recessed lighting and hospitality environments.

PL-T lamp wattages are available in 13W, 18W, 26W and 32W.  Typical incandescent equivalents for these lamps include:

2D Light Bulbs Wattage Guide

2D light bulbs are a unique type of compact fluorescent lamp known for their flat, square shape. The name “2D” refers to the shape of the lamp as it looks like two capitalised letter D’s next to each other.  Their design allows for wide light distribution across a large surface area.  They are used in ceiling fixtures, bulkhead lights and corridor lighting as they are designed to provide a broad range of illumination.

2D lamps wattages include 16W; 21W, 28W and 38W.  Their approximate brightness equivalents when compared to incandescent lights include:

Factors That Affect CFL Brightness

While wattage equivalents provide a useful guide, there are several other factors that can influence how bright a CFL lamp appears.

Lumens

Brightness is measured in lumens.  Lumens are a unit that represents the amount of visible light produced by a lamp.  Higher lumen ratings indicate brighter light output.  Equivalent wattages will be listed as a rough guide when comparing different technologies but if you are able to compare the amount of lumens this should be more exact.

Colour Temperature

Colour temperature refers to the shade of white that a light produces and this can affect how the light appears. Warm white light produces a softer warm glow, while cool white and daylight lamps provide brighter, more neutral sources of light.

Fixture Design

The design of a lighting fixture can also influence how effectively the light is distributed within the space depending on how much of the lamp is covered.

Summary

Knowing the equivalent wattage for CFL lights can help you to choose the correct type of CFL lamp to replace your previous incandescent light.  This will mostly be applicable for screw-in fluorescent lights as other formats such as 2D and those starting with PL are generally made with a specific type of fitting and would not have used an incandescent light previously.   

You may find that equivalent wattages are still listed for formats such as PL-C lamps, PL-S lamps, PL-L lamps, PL-T lamps and 2D light bulbs to give the end user an idea of what level of brightness to expect.  You should not use a different wattage to what has been installed.