Lamps

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LAMP

Alampis a replaceable component

which is designed to producelight
fromelectricity.
These components usually have a
base of ceramic, metal, glass or
plastic etc.
The origins of the very first lamp
dates back to 70,000 BC.
Invention of the first practical
incandescent lamp by Thomas Edison
and Joseph Swan in the nineteenth
century.
Invention of
theincandescentlightbulb from

TYPES OF LAMPS

There have been significant improvements in lamp

efficiency as well as the different types of lamp after
invention.
They can be divided into two main categories:
incandescent and luminescent gaseous discharge
lamps.
The gaseous discharge type of lamp is either low or high
pressure. Low-pressure gaseous discharge sources are the
fluorescent and low-pressure sodium lamps.
Mercury vapor, metal halide and high-pressure sodium
lamps are considered high-pressure gaseous discharge
sources.
Each light source will be described in terms of its three
primary components: (1) light-producing element (lamp), (2) enclosure
KUMARCHATURVEDULA
(luminaire), and (3) electrical
connection.

Fluorescent Lamp
Diagram

NOTE:- A and B are electrodes

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Construction:
The figure shows the constructional details of
Fluorescent Lamp.
It consists of a long glass tube which is internally
coated with a little quantity of argon gas is also filled in
the tube.
There are two electrodes A and B made up of coiled
tungsten
filament coated with an electron emitting material.
The control circuit of the tube contains glow type
starter, choke L and two capacitors C1 and C2.
There are two electrodes of which one is fixed while
other is U shaped bimetallic strip made of two different
metals.
These electrodes are sealed in a glass bulb, which is
filled with a mixture of helium and hydrogen.
The contacts are normally
open.
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Working:
When the supply is switched ON as electric arc is
established between the electrodes of the starter due to
flow of current through small air gap between the
electrodes.
Due to this arc, heat is produced which is sufficient to
bend the bimetallic strip which makes contact with fixed
electrode.
This closes the circuit and therefore choke carries large
current.
Once the electrodes close, arc vanishes and bimetallic
strips cool down again.
Now the electrodes A and B become hot and due to
cooling the choke circuit open.
The current through the choke coil is suddenly reduced
to a small value.
This change in current induces an e.m.f. which is very
high of the order of 1000 V, in the choke coil.
This e.m.f. induced is sufficient for ionizing the gas
molecules between electrodes A and B, which establishes
the discharge between the electrodes A and B through the
gas.
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The potential difference across the tube falls to about

100-110 V which is sufficient to maintain the discharge
but not sufficient to restart the glow in the circuit.
So even if starter is removed from the circuit, discharge
continues as the current flows from electrode A and B due
to ionization of gas.
If the supply voltage is low, there is difficulty in starting
the tube, as the low voltage is insufficient to establish a
glow in the starter.
As choke lowers the power factor, the capacitor C1 used
in the circuit improves the power factor of the circuit.
The capacitor C2 suppresses the radio interference
developed due to arcing.
The function of the inductive choke coil is to supply a
large voltage surge for establishing discharge between
the electrodes A and B.

The fluorescent lamp requires three elements or components to produce

visible light:
(1)Electrodes (Cathodes)
(2)Gases
(3)Phosphor

Electrodes (Cathodes)
Electrodes are the electron-emitting devices.
Two types of cathodes are in current use.
The hot cathode is a coiled coil or a triple-coiled tungsten filament
coated with an alkaline earth oxide that emits electrons when
heated.
The electrons are boiled off the cathode at about 900C.
The cathode of a cold cathode lamp is a pure iron tube that also has
an electron-emitting material applied inside the tube.
The cold cathodes are subjected to higher voltage, releasing
electrons at about 150C.
Cold Cathode lamps are used in special application such as neon
signs and can be bent into different shapes.
The hot cathode lamp is the most common type of electrode used in
fluorescent lamps for most applications.
Therefore, we shall not describe cold-cathode lamps.

Gases
A small quantity of mercury droplets are placed in the fluorescent tube.
During the operation of the lamp, the mercury vaporizes at a very low
pressure.
At this low pressure, the current flowing through the vapor causes the vapor
to radiate energy principally at a single wavelength in the ultraviolet region
of the spectrum (253.7nm).
The pressure of the mercury is regulated during operation by the
temperature of the tube wall.
The lamp also contains a small amount of a highly purified rare gas. Argon
and argon-neon are the most common, but krypton is sometimes used.
The gas ionises readily when a sufficient voltage is applied to the lamp.
The ionized gas decreases in resistance quickly, allowing current to flow and
the mercury to vaporise.
Phosphor
This is the chemical coating on the inside wall of the tube or enclosure.
When the phosphor is excited by ultraviolet radiation at 253.7nm, the
phosphor produces visible light by fluorescence.
That is, visible light from a fluorescent lamp is produced by the action of
ultraviolet energy on the phosphor coating on the inside surface of the tube
or enclosure.
The phosphor mixture can be altered to change the color of the lamp or the
lamp's spectral power distribution.

Advantages:
i) The light available is much more than the normal incandescent
lamp. Fluorescent lamp gives 2200 to 2400 lumens while normal
lamp gives 600 lumens.
ii) The life of fluorescent tube is much more than the incandescent
lamp.
iii) The fluorescent tube gives effect of daylight while incandescent
lamp gives yellowish light.
iv) Low power consumption.
v) Higher efficiency.
vi) Instantaneous switching without any warming period.
vii) Using different fluorescent materials various colored light can be
obtained.

Disadvantages:
i) Very high initial cost.

Application:i.Fluorescent lamps come in many shapes and

sizes. Thecompact fluorescent light bulb(CFL) is
becoming more popular.
ii.Used for Domestic purpose like School, House,
Shops, malls, temples , etc i.e. for Residential
use.
iii.Used for Every Industry like in office,
godowns, etc

Sodium Vapour Lamp

Diagram

Construction:
It consists of two glass tube, outer glass
tube and inner glass tube.
The inner glass tube contains two
electrodes (see fig.).
Sodium along with small quantity of neon
or argon gas is filled in the inner tube to
make discharge self-starting.
Sodium vapour is chemically active.
The glass of the tube is made up of suitable
material to resist this action.
To maintain the correct temperature in the
discharge, it is placed in an evacuated outer
tube. The outer tube reduces the heat loss.
The transformer includes in the circuit heats
the cathode while choke stabilizes the

Working:

When the lamp is not in operation,. The sodium

is usually in the form of solid deposited on the
side walls of the tube.
When the lamp is switched on, the discharge is
first established through the neon or argon gas.
This gives out radish colour.
After some time heat is developed due to this
discharge that is vaporizes sodium vapour.
In this way the lamp starts its normal operation
giving yellow colour.
Capacitor C is connected to have a better
power factor.
The operating temperature of this lamp is about
300C.
These lamps are commonly used for

Sodium Vapour lamp is only suitable for AC and

Therefore, requires choke control.
Manufactures in 45, 60, 85 and 140Watt ratings.
The average life is about 3000 Hours.
Lamp is not affected by voltage variations.
Light output reduced by 15% due to ageing.
The metallic sodium gradually vaporizes and
then ionizes. Thereby, Producing the
characteristics mono-chromatic yello light, which
makes objects appears as gray.
The lamp must be operated horizontally or
nearly so, to take the sodium well spread out
along the tube.
Some operated vertically as designed.

Advantages:
i) Its efficiency is higher than that of the
filament
lamp.
ii) It has a long life.
Disadvantages:
i) The bright yellow colour obtained is not
suitable for indoor lighting. So it is not
useful in houses.
ii) For the necessary output, long tubes
are required.
iii) For giving full output, some time (about

The lamps fails to operate when

i.The filament breaks or burns out.
ii.The cathode stops to emit electrons.
iii.The sodium particles may concentrate on one
side of the tube.
iv.The tube is blackened owing to sodium vapour
action on the glass, in which case the output will
be reduced.
Applications:Used for high way.
Used for General outdoor lighting where colour
discrimination is not required like Street light,
parks, rail yards, storage yards, etc..

Mercury Vapour Lamp:

Diagram

Construction:
The lamp consists of two bulbs, inner bulb and outer
bulb.
The electric discharge takes place in the inner bulb.
The outer bulb protects the inner bulb and reduces
loss of heat.
The inner bulb consists of a small amount of mercury
and argon gas.
The two electrodes E and B are made up of electron
emitting
material.
Three electrodes B, E and S are provided in the inner
bulb.
The electrode E is connected to electrode S through
a high

Working:
When the supply is switched on, the initial discharge
is established between electrode B and S through the
argon gas and then between electrodes B and E.
The heat produced due to this discharge is sufficient
to vaporize mercury and the discharge through the
mercury vapour takes place.
In this normal operation of the lamp, it emits or
radiates its characteristic light.
The electrode S is called as starting electrode or
auxiliary electrode.
The choke serves to limit the current drawn by the
electrodes to a safe limit.
The capacitor C improves power factor of the lamp.
These lamps are widely used for outdoor street
lighting where a high illumination necessary, where the
colour of light is not important.

Advantages:
i) Its efficiency is high and output is more.
ii) It has long life.

Disadvantages:
i)The initial time required for warming up is more
about 5 minutes.
ii)If lamp goes out while in service, cooling is
required for restarting. This cooling reduces the
vapour pressure.
iii)each lamp contains mercury which can be
harmful to both humans and wildlife.

Application:Ultra high pressure mercury vapor lamps are

used in the area ofphotolithographyto expose
variousphotoresists.
Phosphor coated or white mercury vapor
lamps are recommended for all applications
where color is important.
There are three standard modified mercury
vapor lamps:
a.Color Improved:very poor on reds, marginal
color, not recommended.
b.Deluxe White, DX:increased red, good color,
recommended.
c.Warm White Deluxe, WWX:excellent reds,