Thorn came up with the idea to make a "square shaped folded fluoresant lamp" which came with an adaptor to enable it being used in BC/GLS incandescent fixtures in response to the 70s/80s energy crisis

They produced this lamp in their factory in Enfield and when GE was about to take over the lamp production, Thorn lighting therefore handed the patent of the "2D" lamp and GE got the right to make the 2D

Globe collector was surprised when I showed him the 2D lamp made by Philips and he therefore told me the story of the 2D lamp production with Thorn and GE's right to handle the patent, also saying that the Philips 2D lamp is likely to be made from an outsourced plant in China partially under control of Philips, or not under Philips control!

So after that lecture by Globe Collector, I then told my cousin to stay away from Philips 2D lamps since seeing he had both of them fail by the same make

I maintained the lighting at my high school for a couple of years, and toward the end, I basically had full control over what replacement parts were purchased.

Thorn produced lamps for the Mazda brand

So Philips 2D lamps are bad quality?

I know I'll catch some flack over one project I was on about 5 years ago. I was involved in a lighting upgrade to a shopping mall. Common-area and service corridor 3- & 4- foot T12 strip fixtures from 1982 were in-place converted to T-8. Over 400 2-lamp rapid start ballasts replaced, sockets were shunted for the T-8 lamps. Overall, existing fixtures in good shape, very few broken sockets. Ballasts were replaced with Sylvania QHE 2 lamp NPF ballasts, lamps were Sylvania 28-watt 4-foot, long life 4100K. 3-foot lamps were the long life 4100K full wattage. 3 ballast failures since installation completed.

Customer talked to us about changing to LED. We told them they would never recoup the costs of the LED conversion over the lifespan of the LED fixtures. So far, they have listened but corporate headquarters can and will overrule local decisions.

I know I'll catch some flack over one project I was on about 5 years ago. I was involved in a lighting upgrade to a shopping mall. Common-area and service corridor 3- & 4- foot T12 strip fixtures from 1982 were in-place converted to T-8. Over 400 2-lamp rapid start ballasts replaced, sockets were shunted for the T-8 lamps. Overall, existing fixtures in good shape, very few broken sockets. Ballasts were replaced with Sylvania QHE 2 lamp NPF ballasts, lamps were Sylvania 28-watt 4-foot, long life 4100K. 3-foot lamps were the long life 4100K full wattage. 3 ballast failures since installation completed.

Customer talked to us about changing to LED. We told them they would never recoup the costs of the LED conversion over the lifespan of the LED fixtures. So far, they have listened but corporate headquarters can and will overrule local decisions.

Sylvania Quicktronic ballasts are actually one of the best electronic ballasts available, at least for fluorescents. I saw energy saver T8 lamps that were doing very well in a meat cooler.