Westinghouse Econ-Nova Compact Fluorescent
Westinghouse was the only American lampmaker that played a significant role in the development of compact fluorescent lamps - following a similar strategy as the Europeans, while its American competitors instead focussed on metal halide and electrodeless designs. The result was this Econ-Nova lamp, introduced in 1981 just a few months after the world's first commercial CFL, the Philips SL*.

Both lamps share the same fundamental concept, consisting of a double-folded discharge tube combined with a magnetic ballast in an enclosure equipped with an incandescent cap. However, there are interesting design differences. Firstly, the discharge tube has a large T6 (19mm) diameter to lower its voltage for use on 120V mains. Whereas Philips adopted an amalgam chemistry to maintain high light output within the small and rather hot enclosure, this lamp employs a standard mercury filling and is therefore more thermally sensitive. A cold spot has been created by extending a long glass tube from the central bend into the cooler base area. Holes in the base and cover provide additional cooling.

The Econ-Nova also differs in that it is a modular design. The light-diffusing outer envelope can be removed when usedin a shaded luminaire, leading to a 25% increase in output. The inner tube is also replaceable, its 4-pin base being retained by two screws. A rubber O-ring arond the ballast reduces the risk of breakage of the inner tube. It employs Ultralume prime-colour triphosphors, these having been introduced by Westinghouse in 1976 for better colour rendering. Despite its pioneering design, it was produced only until 1983 when Philips took over Westinghouse, and stopped production so as to promote its SL* alternative.
Manufacturer: Westinghouse
Lamp Power: 25 Watts
Lamp Current: 0.37 Amps 60 Hertz
Lamp Voltage: 120 Volts 60 Hertz
Power Factor: 0.56
Cap Type: E26s Aluminium shell
Bulb Type: T-89 T-28 in eighths/inch
Bulb Finish: BAM, YOX phosphors Soda-lime glass
Electrodes: Triple Coil Tungsten Triple carbonate emitter
Atmosphere: Argon + Hg
Luminous Flux: 1,170 lm (complete) 1,460 lm (tube only)
Luminous Efficacy: 46.8 lm/W (complete) 73.0 lm/W (tube only)
Colour Temperature & CRI: CCT: 2900K CRI: Ra 80
Chromaticity Co-ordinates: CCx: 0.449 CCy: 0.415
Lifetime: 7500 hours Replaceable inner lamp
Warm-up & Re-strike Time: 2 minutes Instant
Burning Position: Universal
Overall Length: 192 mm 7 9/16 inches
Mass: 560 g 1 lb. 4 oz.
Factory: Fairmont WV U.S.A.
Date of Manufacture: 1983 August
Original Value: Unknown
References: 1) Westinghouse Lamp Catalogue, 1983 U.S.A. p.45
2) Plasma emission spectroscopy of gas filling
3) Photoelectric measurement