SYLVANIA 21696 | FBO31/841/XP/ECO Octron® 800XP® Curvalume® 31W T8 U-Bent Lamp

The Sylvania 21696 (FBO31/841/XP/ECO) is a commercial-grade, high-performance **31W U-bent T8 fluorescent lamp** from the premier **Octron® 800XP® Extended Performance** and **Ecologic®** product families. Tailored specifically for square 2x2 recessed architecture, this premium lamp is engineered with a compact **1-5/8 inch leg spacing (U6 profile)** and a standard **G13 Medium Bi-Pin base**. Delivering an intensive **2775 initial lumens** of crisp **4100K Cool White** light, it features an advanced tri-phosphor coating that secures an elite **85 CRI** color accuracy. With a long service life of up to **30,000 hours**, this TCLP-compliant, low-mercury lamp maximizes energy savings while cutting commercial facility maintenance cycles.

Extended Performance Phosphor Layering and Ecologic® Design

Sylvania Octron® 800XP® Curvalume® lamps incorporate a specialized, high-density rare-earth tri-phosphor formula that drastically impedes lumen decay. Generating an impressive **2610 mean lumens** measured at 40% of standard runtime, this configuration provides exceptional structural brilliance inside small fixtures. As an official **Ecologic®** designated product, this lamp passes strict Federal TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) test benchmarks. Its lead-free glass and reduced-mercury construction mean it can be disposed of more easily in areas with strict environmental oversight, making it a green choice for commercial spaces.

• Extended Maintenance Longevity: Engineered to yield an operational range between **18,000 and 30,000 hours**. Total operating lifespan is optimized based on the ballast configuration, with 12-hour switching cycles yielding max performance over standard 3-hour tests.
• Superior 85 CRI Rendering: Possesses a boosted color accuracy index of 85, delivering clean, vivid workplace visualization and accurate color matching in offices and classrooms.
• Curvalume® U6 Structural Design: Constructed inside a narrow 1-inch (T8) glass chassis bent precisely on a tightly balanced 1.625-inch center-to-center leg layout, perfect for maximizing optical reflection.
• Full Cross-Brand Compatibility: Direct professional substitute for major industry counterparts, including Philips Edge FB31T8/TL841/ALTO and GE F31T8/SPX41/U/ECO.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Sylvania
• Product Code / NAED: 21696
• Ordering Abbreviation: FBO31/841/XP/ECO
• Series / Product Family: Octron® 800XP® Curvalume® (Ecologic®)
• Technology Type: Linear U-Bent Fluorescent
• Wattage: 31W
• Bulb Configuration: T8 (1-Inch Cylinder Diameter)
• U-Bend Leg Spacing: 1-5/8 Inches (1.625" Center-to-Center / U6 Silhouette)
• Base Type: G13 (Single-Ended Medium Bi-Pin)
• Initial Lumens (at 25°C): 2,775 lm (Evaluated after 100 benchmark hours)
• Mean Lumens (at 25°C): 2,610 lm (Evaluated at 40% of rated life)
• Color Temperature: 4100K (Cool White Spectrum)
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): 85
• Average Rated Lifespan: 18,000 to 30,000 Hours (Highly dependent on ballast settings and switching intervals)
• Maximum Overall Length (MOL): 22.6 Inches (approx. 574 mm)
• Standard Package Unit: Sold in factory increments of 15 lamps per case

Ballast Operation & System Integration Guidelines

• Ballast Requirements: Octron T8 lamps must be run exclusively on electronic high-frequency ballasts (Instant Start, Rapid Start, or Programmed Rapid Start) or magnetic rapid-start ballasts specifically designed to operate T8 lamps at 265 mA.
• Instant Start Circuit Setup: When operating in instant start configurations, ensure ballasts possess factors spanning between 0.71 minimum and 1.20 maximum at nominal input voltage. For instant-start setups, shunted sockets or connecting the two wiring terminals of each lampholder together is required in compliance with local National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
• SUPERSAVER® & Special Application Limits: If running high-efficiency variants on F32T8 hardware, verify an open-circuit voltage minimum of 550V RMS. Do not deploy these configurations in low open-circuit voltage remote ballasts, rapid-start fixtures below 570V, dedicated air-handling units, low-power-factor housings, or emergency inverter systems unless explicitly certified for such loads.

Environmental Striation Controls

Note on Environmental Behavior: If operational tubes are exposed to direct fixture drafts or ambient environments dropping below 60°F (70°F for specific 25W setups), temporary lamp striation (a pulsing pattern moving down the glass) or localized dimming may occur. This is a normal physical property of mercury-vapor stabilization under cold temperatures and will not damage the lamp. Eliminating the drafts or restoring standard room temperatures will bring the lamp back to stable brightness.

Recommended Commercial Applications

• Corporate Office Lighting: Tailored for 2x2 modular recessed ceiling grids, geometric architectural pendants, and troffers.
• Educational & Institutional Spaces: Provides wide, uniform, low-glare illumination ideal for classrooms, libraries, and study centers.
• Public & Retail Facilities: Excellent for hospital corridors, municipal complexes, and retail showcases calling for crisp, true-color 4100K ambient illumination.