Editing Fluorescent lamp (section)

===Frequent switching===
Frequent switching (more than every 3 hours) will shorten the life of lamps.<ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511132153/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/29267-5.4.3.pdf|archive-date=May 11, 2011|url=http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/29267-5.4.3.pdf |publisher=eere.energy.gov |title=Compact Fluorescent Lighting |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref> Each start cycle slightly erodes the electron-emitting surface of the cathodes; when all the emission material is gone, the lamp cannot start with the available ballast voltage. Fixtures for flashing lights (such as for advertising) use a ballast that maintains cathode temperature when the arc is off, preserving the life of the lamp.

The extra energy used to start a fluorescent lamp is equivalent to a few seconds of normal operation; it is more energy-efficient to switch off lamps when not required for several minutes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Science Fact or Science Fiction: Fluorescent Lights|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028205846/http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/episode/2011/10/22/october-22-2011|archive-date=October 28, 2011|url=http://www.cbc.ca/quirks/episode/2011/10/22/october-22-2011/|work=Quirks and Quarks|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]|access-date=27 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=When to Turn Off Your Lights|url=http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/when-turn-your-lights|website=U.S. Department of Energy|access-date=28 November 2012|archive-date=2012-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116060834/http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/when-turn-your-lights|url-status=live}}</ref>