Product Overview
The GE Current Biax® T/E Ecolux® 97617 Lamp is a professional-grade, 26-watt triple-tube compact fluorescent (CFL) plug-in bulb engineered for demanding high-bay industrial grids, commercial downlights, healthcare facilities, and institutional workspaces. Delivering 1,800 initial lumens of crisp 4100K cool white illumination, this compact bulb features an 82 CRI rating to enhance visual acuity, alertness, and material contrast accuracy. Outfitted with an industry-standard GX24q-3 4-pin keyed base configuration and sustainable Ecolux® low-mercury technology, it provides an extended 12,000-hour rated average service life when driven by high-frequency electronic ballast networks.
| Wattage 26W Triple Tube CFL | Color Temp 4100K 841 Cool White | Brightness 1,800 lm 1,530 Mean lm | Base Type GX24q-3 4-Pin Keyed | Rated Life 12,000 Standard Hours |
ADL Supply Expert Application & Replacement Guide
The GE Current Biax® T/E 26W (97617) is an industry-standard facility footprint option specified heavily for commercial office structures, school libraries, healthcare corridors, retail storage bays, and institutional recessed downlight housings. Constructed with an optimized triple-tube configuration, it packs a massive volume of clear visible light into a highly compressed physical body depth, helping property managers lower overall energy overhead while minimizing structural heat load buildup inside deep ceiling spaces.
Critical Ballast Selection and Keyed Socket Safety Guidelines: This 26W model incorporates a specialized GX24q-3 4-pin plug-in base configuration. The molded plastic base features an explicit mechanical cross-key tab layout that blocks it from seating inside lower-wattage 18W (GX24q-2) or higher-wattage 32W/42W (GX24q-4) sockets, eliminating cross-powering or over-driving errors across large property grids. It operates exclusively on high-frequency electronic ballasts—for maximum visual performance and to secure its full 12,000-hour extended service life, a Programmed Start electronic ballast with filament preheating controls is highly recommended. This 4-pin bulb is also fully dimmable when paired with a compatible electronic dimming ballast.
| Verify Before Ordering Electronic 4-Pin GX24q-3 Socket Check — Regional Shipping Restrictions This is a 4-pin plug-in lamp designed exclusively for high-frequency electronic ballast networks. It will NOT fit into legacy 2-pin magnetic sockets or run natively on standard line voltage without an electronic ballast intermediary. Please verify your fixture's socket stamping specifies GX24q-3 prior to checkout. State Delivery Restrictions: Due to strict regional environmental and mercury regulations, this fluorescent product cannot be legally sold or shipped to residential or commercial destinations inside CA, CO, HI, ME, MN, OR, RI, or VT. |
Detailed Product Specifications
- Brand: GE Current (A Daintree Company)
- Product Series Line: Biax® T/E Triple Tube Ecolux® Low-Mercury Series
- GE Factory Product Order Code SKU: 97617
- Manufacturer Nomenclature Model: F26TBX/841/A/ECO
- UPC Barcode Number (GTIN-12): 043168976176
- Core Technology Class: Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) — Triple Tube
- Primary Industry Ballast Requirement: 26W 4-Pin High-Frequency Electronic Ballast
- Operational Wattage: 26 Watts
- Sustained Continuous Amperage Draw: 0.325 Amperes
- Nominal Arc Voltage Profile: Ballast Managed (Nominal 105V AC Lamp Operating Voltage)
- Initial Luminous Brightness: 1,800 Lumens
- Mean Luminous Brightness: 1,530 Lumens (85% Lumen Maintenance Factor)
- Luminous Efficacy Ratio: 69 Lumens per Watt (LPW)
- Color Temperature Configuration: 4100K Cool White (841 Phosphor Code)
- Color Rendering Index (CRI): 82 Ra
- Base Type Configuration: GX24q-3 (4-Pin Plug-In Keyed Base)
- Recommended Start Type: Programmed Start (Preheat Circuitry)
- Dimmable Status: Yes — requires appropriate high-frequency electronic dimming ballast
- Maximum Overall Length (MOL): 5.20" Inches (132.0mm actual)
- Chassis Burn Position Limit: Universal — Operates reliably in any orientation
- Environmental Rating: TCLP Compliant (Ecolux® Low-Mercury Design)
Operation, Safety & Mounting Compliance
High-Frequency Electronic Controls and End-of-Life Safety
This 4-pin plug-in capsule operates strictly on matching high-frequency electronic ballast layouts incorporating an integrated end-of-life (EOL) automated cutout sensor. Attempting to force a 4-pin GX24q-3 lamp directly onto standard unballasted line voltage networks will bypass loop controls, prompting immediate cathode vaporization and a serious electrical short-circuit hazard. Minimum starting ambient temperatures stand at 32°F (0°C). This module incorporates advanced tri-phosphor gas compositions that prevent fast lamp lumen degradation over extended operational daily cycles.
Ecolux® Sustainable Design and Bulk Disposal Protocols
Featuring GE Current's patented Ecolux® manufacturing process, this lamp uses less heavy metal dosing compared to standard legacy CFL tubes, satisfying federal Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test criteria. While optimized for simplified commercial environmental audits and green building certifications, it still contains trace mercury elements and must be processed through structured commercial bulk recycling centers during lighting replacements rather than standard disposal streams.
Commercial Ballast Industry Cross-References
- Sylvania Quicktronic: CF26DT/E/IN/841 (Order Code 20880 — *Direct 4-Pin Match*)
- Philips Advance: PL-T 26W/841/4P / ALTO Series (Order Code 41113-2)
- Halco Lighting Alternative: PL26T/E/41/4P (Order Code 109214)
Bulk Commercial Lighting Supply & Project Support
ADL Supply handles volume distribution shipments, multi-pack logistics, and contractor project quotes for procurement teams, schools, and warehouse facilities nationwide.
For specialized contractor pricing tiers, job-site pallet deliveries, or comprehensive submittal documentation, contact our support team directly at 1-800-235-3489. We are your commercial supply partners as an authorized wholesale Lighting Distributor In Doral, Florida.
