The fluorescent reflector is a highly polished metal plate or mirror film installed in the fluorescent fixtures above the lamps. The device reflects light that would normally be lost into the fixture itself, down to floor level. A typical retrofit removes two of the four lamps from a four-lamp fixture. It is also important that one of the two fixture ballasts be disconnected.
This figure shows a fixture before retrofit with the four lamps and after retrofit with two lamps. Careful laboratory testing has verified these reflectors achieve a 5 to 20% improvement in the fixture's ability to put light on the surface below it.
However, care must be taken to ensure that satisfactory light distribution is maintained after reflectors are installed. Overall light levels may be 20-35% lower with reflectors and shadowed areas may be objectionable. Where the existing lamps are energy efficient, the lamps can be changed to standard lamps to increase lighting levels. Test installations are strongly encouraged because there is the potential for reduced visual comfort.
