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In September 2010 Philips introduced its 3rd generation CDM Elite lamps, superseding the 2007 Elite 2nd generation. This marked the company's first widespread use of ellipsoidal shape arc tubes for low wattage types, as invented many years earlier for the Osram Powerball lamps. Philips also opted for a 2-part design having the joint at the centre of the arc tube, but rather than sourcing arc tubes from NGK ceramics of Japan as Osram had done, Philips developed its own technique of forming 2-part ellipsoidal arc tubes at its ceramic materials factory in Uden, Holland. At the same time many refinements were introduced to the lamp chemistry to achieve a significant performance boost. To differentiate them from the former cylindrical lamps, the Elite logo on the box was changed from red to green.
For the existing 35W and 70W Elite lamp, initial luminous flux was increased 15% and 5%, while improved lumen maintenance achieved a 40% increase in flux after 4000 hours. In parallel lamp life was increased from 12,000 to 15,000 hours on electronic ballasts, and although the CRI remained at Ra90 the red rendition was improved.
Later in 2010 the Elite range was expanded with the first 50W and 100W CDM lamps. The average luminous flux during life of the CDM Elite range had become so greatly superior vs the standard CDM types, that rather than promote them to increase lighting levels, Philips cleverly positioned these new ratings as energy-saving alternatives to replace basic 70W and 150W types. Although this became popular for new luminaires, market penetration was limited because a new ballast was required, preventing the upgrade of the large installed base of existing luminaires. |