CWF lighting, or Cool White Fluorescent lighting, is a type of fluorescent lighting commonly used in commercial settings, particularly in North America. It is designed to simulate CIE standard illuminant F2.
Here's a breakdown of key aspects of CWF lighting:
-
Fluorescent Source: CWF lamps are fluorescent lamps, which means they produce light by exciting mercury vapor within the lamp. This excitation causes the mercury atoms to emit ultraviolet (UV) light, which then strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the lamp. The phosphor coating converts the UV light into visible light.
-
Color Characteristics: CWF lighting is known for emitting a high amount of green light and relatively little red light. This gives it a cooler, more bluish-white appearance compared to other types of fluorescent lighting or incandescent lighting.
-
Simulation of CIE Standard Illuminant F2: The spectral power distribution of CWF lamps is designed to approximate CIE standard illuminant F2. CIE illuminants are theoretical light sources defined by the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) and are used as standards for comparing the color rendering properties of different light sources.
-
Commercial Applications: Due to its efficiency and relatively low cost, CWF lighting has been historically widespread in commercial spaces such as offices, retail stores, and schools.
-
Considerations: The high green and low red output of CWF lamps can sometimes result in colors appearing slightly distorted. Objects may not appear as vibrant or natural as they would under light sources with a more balanced spectral distribution.
In summary, CWF lighting is a widely used, cool-toned fluorescent lighting option particularly common in North American commercial environments, characterized by its high green and low red light output and its simulation of CIE standard illuminant F2.
