At what frequency do fluorescent tubes typically produce light flashes?

Fluorescent tubes typically produce light flashes at a frequency of 50 Hz in regions where the electrical supply frequency is 50 Hz, such as many parts of the world including Europe, Asia, and Africa. This is because the flickering of fluorescent lights is related to the alternating current (AC) frequency supplied by the electrical grid. At 50 Hz, the light source will cycle through full brightness and dimness 50 times per second, which can lead to the perception of flickering in some cases.

While the electrical supply frequency differs in other regions — for instance, in the Americas and parts of Asia where 60 Hz is common — the characteristic fading and brightness cycling of fluorescent lamps is closely matched to the supply that is prevalent in their installation area. Higher frequencies, such as 100 Hz or 120 Hz, would be atypical for standard fluorescent lighting applications, as they are not commonly designed to operate efficiently at those frequencies. Thus, given the context of global electrical standards, the correct frequency that aligns with the behavior of fluorescent tubes is indeed 50 Hz.