Fluorescent FUL Vs. LOA

Fluorescent FUL Bulbs

• Fluorescent FUL bulbs emit ultraviolet light or warm white light, depending on the bulb configurations. FUL lights emit a specific type of ultraviolet light known as UVA, or ultraviolet A. This light has a wavelength range between 400 and 315 nanometers. Because of the wavelength, ultraviolet A light isn't visible to the human eye, which perceives light with wavelengths greater than 400 nanometers. Ultraviolet light can cause certain minerals to emit visible light when exposed to the UV radiation. Objects coated with these minerals and exposed to UV light take on eerie, glowing qualities. This reaction is useful for a variety of products, including glow-in-the-dark posters and even some medical diagnostic tools. The elongated U-shape of fluorescent FUL bulbs is the same regardless of which type of light the bulbs emit. Wattage for these lights ranges from as low as eight watts to as high as 50 watts.

LOA Fluorescent Lights

• Lights of America was founded in California in 1978. The company produces fluorescent bulbs similar to other manufacturers, but with several important differences. At the time of publication, Lights of America doesn't manufacture U-shaped ultraviolet bulbs. Instead, the company offers a standard tube fluorescent that consumes 17 watts of energy when in use. U-shaped 13-watt bulbs are available, but these lights only shine white light and are incompatible with ultraviolet fluorescent fixtures manufactured by LOA. This means a buyer can't purchase U-shaped bulbs from Lights of America and use these bulbs as replacements for burned-out LOA ultraviolet bulbs.

Limited Space Operations

• In cramped quarters, a fluorescent FUL bulb saves more space than an ultraviolet fluorescent manufactured by Lights of America. The U-shape and shorter length of an FUL bulb demands less space and can provide a consumer with more options in terms of where to place the bulb as opposed to the LOA's fluorescent, which has a longer length and its own tube housing. A consumer using an ultraviolet fluorescent from Lights of America also must have sufficient space to mount the lighting fixture. Otherwise, the tube has to lean up against a wall or sit on the floor.

Dependency on Outlets

• Fluorescent FUL bulbs can use two-prong or three-prong outlets, but must plug directly into a given power outlet. If the consumer doesn't want to direct the light in any particular area, that shouldn't be a concern. But directing the light towards one particular area can be difficult since the bulbs can't move once plugged directly into outlets. Purchasing an extension cord can alleviate this problem, but it requires the consumer to spend more money. Ultraviolet lights produced by Lights of America come equipped with 5-foot extension cords that allow some maneuverability when selecting power outlets.