Incandescent lamps

No matter how far the progress in the production of various lighting devices is, a simple incandescent lamp still does not lose its leadership in the market.

An incandescent lamp is a glass vessel, usually a pear-shaped, at the base of which is a metal base. With this cap, a connection is made to the lamp holder in which the bulb will be used.

Inside the glass vessel there is a metal thread, most often it is made of tungsten, when the light is turned on, electricity discharges pass through it, which heats the thread to high temperatures, which causes the glow. However, this principle is relevant only for lamps whose power does not exceed 20-25 watts.

To get more power, and therefore more brightness, a special gas, such as xenon, is launched into the flask, and here the glow is caused not only by the heating of the tungsten spring, but also by the burning of the inert gas inside the glass vessel.Besides the fact that the gas increases the characteristics of brightness and power, it is also able to extend the life of the model used. In addition to xenon, manufacturers add other inert gases, such as krypton and argon, however, the brightness of such bulbs will be somewhat less than with the addition of xenon.

Like any other type of lamp, the incandescent lamp has its own specific set of pros and cons.

The advantages include:

• Perhaps one of the main advantages of these models is their cost. Among the entire range on the market incandescent bulbs have the lowest cost. For example, one of the most high-quality models from the company General Electric cost an average of 30-40 rubles apiece.
• This model is equipped with instant ability to turn on and off.
• Work is possible both from an alternating, and a direct current.

• The design of this type eliminates the flicker of light, so this model of lamps does not have a detrimental effect on human vision.
• In addition, this type has the highest possible level of color reproduction.
• With the help of a special dimmer it is possible to change the intensity of the light flux.

Among the minuses are:

• Short service life;
• High energy consumption;
• Sensitivity to energy drops.

The main parameters of incandescent lamps include the following parameters:

Incandescent lamps have the shortest service life among all models of lighting elements. This factor is directly related to the filament inside the lamp and its rapid wear.

In the process of burning, a layer of material evaporates from it., the thread becomes thinner and it breaks. The lamp fails. In addition, the service life is affected by abrupt changes in electricity. And any inclusion is a stress for the thread, since they dramatically increase the resistance inside the flask, thereby provoking the thinning of the spring. In this case, the dimmer or dimmer will help to prolong the term of work, it will provide a smoother start-up.

These two characteristics are decisive for determining the quality of the emitted light. So, the light temperature of this type of lamp has only one manifestation, unlike LEDs or other models of the new generation - the light yellow light emitted by a light bulb is the most comfortable for the human eye to perceive. Color rendition is the level of conformity of the natural color of an object and its color when illuminated by a lighting element. In this case, the color rendition spectrum is maximum and equal to 100%. For this reason, this type is used as a model when creating models of other types.

Of course, this factor depends on the determining initial power. Power is determined by watts. So, with a lamp power of 50 watts, the power consumption level will be 50 watts per hour, respectively, a power of 100 watts will double this figure.On average, one lamp burns about 6-7 hours a day, and it turns out that one lamp of 100 watts per day will consume about 600-700 watts, while modern chandeliers usually have 3-4 light elements. It follows that only the lighting in one room will require 2100 W, or 2.1 kW per day.

To connect the light element to the device in which it will be used, the light bulb is equipped with a special functional element - a base. The base can have a different look. The most common is the base Edison threaded type. On the package markings, it is denoted by the letter E. A digit is usually added to the letter, it indicates the diameter of the base used in this model of the base. The most common sizes today are E14, E27 and E40. Modern models of incandescent lamps can also be equipped with a G-type base, which has the shape of two pins with contacts.

To increase the power of light radiation in the manufacture of incandescent lamps using inert gas. They fill the glass cavity of the lamp and when it is burning, a glow is formed.Depending on the cost and purpose of the model, there is a different gas inside. So, the simplest and cheapest options are filled with a mixture of nitrogen and argon, this combination provides the lowest level of illumination. In more expensive models with better characteristics, xenon or krypton is pumped into a glass flask; they have a lower thermal conductivity, which provides an increase in brightness.

There are several factors by which it is possible to distribute incandescent bulbs to species. By device type. This factor depends, first of all, on the filling or non-filling of the internal cavity of the device with gas. Stand out:

• Vacuum - This is the most common model, called the Edison lamp, inside which there is a metallic, most often a tungsten filament, the heating of which causes luminescence.
• Argon - models in which argon gas is injected inside, often it is used in combination with nitrogen, then the lamp is called nitrogen-argon.
• Krypton. Here a similar situation, only gas - krypton and the level of brightness of light radiation above.
• Xenon gas models - the brightest lamps, the light beam of which appears when xenon is burning inside the bulb.

According to the functional purpose:

• General purpose. The most common standard light bulbs, which are used in any type of lighting, both ordinary and decorative. Built-in ceiling lights are also often equipped with this type of lamp. However, their use today is somewhat reduced due to high power consumption.

• Decorative. This model necessarily has a shaped flask. Often the shape of the candle is chosen, so the Christmas garland has exactly this type of lights.

• Local lighting. This type is used in manual luminaires and for production lighting, as it has a lower voltage required for operation.

• Illumination. In this case, talking about color options. Coloring occurs due to the application of varnish outside, which is very short-lived, or colored spraying inside the flask.

• Mirror incandescent lamp. They are used to localize the lighting, as usually a part of the model is covered with a reflective mirror coating.Often used to illuminate shop windows, shelving and other point objects. In addition, this type of lamp is successfully used in ceiling lighting, as it is possible to illuminate a room without lighting the ceiling.

• Searchlight. Electric lamp with high voltage and light output, used in street and industrial lighting, is called floodlight. Often, this model has a motion sensor, which allows you to save some energy when used on your site.

• Transport. As the name implies, this type is used on vehicles of various kinds. This model is characterized by high vibration resistance and protection from dust and moisture.

Lamps of various shapes and sizes may have their structural differences, but the main elements remain the same. The device consists of a glass bulb, a filament body (usually a tungsten spring), electrodes that connect the filament body and the current lead. Also in the design there is a base, at the base of which is the electrode, with which the coupling of the lamp holder and the light bulb is ensured.In addition, general-purpose models are usually equipped with a special fuse that prevents the cap from breaking off from the bulb when the body of the heater fails.

Glass bulb is the basis of any lamp. It protects the body heat from external influences, helps the dispersion of the light beam and determines the shape of the final model. For example, the most common form is a pear shape, and you can often find a decorative candle shape. This form is great for chandeliers or lamps of classic style. Decorative forms usually have a smaller diameter and size, so a wall lamp is the best use for a decorative light element.

The size of the flask can also vary. There are also miniature light bulbs, such as those used in Christmas garlands, and large enough forms for flashlights or spotlights. In addition, the flask can have a color or mirror coating, this may change the functional abilities of the models.

Mirror coating limits the dispersion of the luminous flux, concentrating it at a specific point, and color coating is able to provide color illumination for various purposes.The most common blue lamps, which according to popular opinion, have a healing and disinfecting effect, as well as red. Highlighting other colors can be used on live performances to create light music.

Inside the flask is a gaseous medium. In the first models, it was absent, the glow body was in a vacuum, however, this design did not allow to increase the power of the light flux. Filling the flask with gas made it possible to achieve greater brightness and maximum power. To create a gaseous environment uses argon, nitrogen, xenon and krypton.

Brightness and luminous flux directly depend on the type of gas. A mixture of nitrogen and argon allows to achieve the lowest brightness, but xenon, on the contrary, provides the brightest light beam. The luminescence itself is provided by the filament body. Usually it is a long thin wire in the form of a spring. However, depending on the purpose, this element can also be made in another form. The most common material used today for the production of filament is tungsten. It has sufficient rigidity, heat and electrical conductivity.

Decorative models are also called Edison vintage lamps.

They have the following characteristics:

• Spiral base with a diameter of E14 or E27;
• Voltage 220 W;
• Power from 20 to 100 watts.

In addition, due to the unusual location of the filament body, the life of such models is usually somewhat higher than that of ordinary lamps, and can reach 3500 hours, provided that there are no voltage drops and other factors that reduce the service life. The shape of the glass bulb can be completely different. Here and the form of candles, spirals, elongated, round, oval and many other possible options that are perfectly combined with designer models of chandeliers and sconces "antique".

A feature of this type is that there is not one filament inside the bulb, but several; their total number can reach 20 pieces per lighting element.In addition, these threads can have their own original arrangement. The most common are the following forms:

• Leaf shape - it is an elongated shape, resembling a leaf with streaks and a handle. It may be interesting to fit into the country-style organization of the room.

• Spiral - the tungsten filament is a spiral winding, with a larger number of filaments an interesting effect can form, which will complement the “loft” style.

• Hairpin - here the shape of the arch dominates, due to such minimalistic placement this type will be a good option for placing in minimalism style.

• Herringbone. An interesting form in the form of spruce, it has several sharp corners, which can also be a good option for a loft or minimalism.

• Squirrel cage. By its position, the tungsten filament imitates the appearance of the cell walls.

• A loop. This is as close as possible to the standard layout of the base. The only difference is that if in the standard version the turn of the wire is very small, here there are large waves.

In any case, any of the forms looks quite interesting and impressive, which allows you to decorate the room due to not only the shape of the lamp itself, but also the tungsten spring. In addition, the decorative elements can be colored.Due to the color can change the color temperature and saturation of light. These lamps are able to create a festive mood, they can be installed in the garlands and other elements of a festive decor. Among the most common colors are blue, orange, red and green colors. Create an interesting effect will also help create a matte light bulb, and a combination of matte and color surface will give the design a slight effect of fog.

The process of operating incandescent bulbs does not differ special delights. In order to use the light element, you just need to screw the light bulb into the lamp holder and turn the switch to the on state. And just at the moment of switching on, the most detrimental effect on the lamp spring will be made, since switching on produces a sharp heating of tungsten, and from a cold state it heats up very quickly. This somewhat reduces the service life and leads to faster wear of the internal contents of the glass bulb.

Many are interested in what else the service life depends on and why the lamps burn out. The first and most important is the voltage drops in the network.Sudden jumps that interact with the base and transfer the charge to the body of the lamp wear it out and reduce the service life of the device. In the end, once a simple start will lead to a sharp release of energy and the lamp will burn out. The quality of installation and connection of the chandelier or wall lamp can also affect the life of the model. Incorrect connection of wires or their incorrect selection also provoke network overload, which causes damage to the device, while in this case not only the light bulb suffers, but also the lighting device into which it is screwed.

A device that is used in inappropriate conditions will burn out faster. So, if radiation occurs at constant vibration, shock, or other mechanical effects, the failure will also come faster than guaranteed by the manufacturer. External temperature and humidity can also reduce the operating time. Therefore, incandescent bulbs are trying to use as little as possible in rooms with high humidity and on the streets. A dimmer connection will help to extend the service life, which will contribute to a smoother heating of tungsten when turned on.

With regard to disposal, it must be borne in mind that incandescent lamps for the most part contain inert gas, which, although it does not have a dangerous effect, still implies disposal. To do this, it is necessary to hand over all the failed light bulbs to special reception centers located in each major city, and there specialists will already make the most safe disposal, through which recyclable materials can be used in the future.

An overview of incandescent bulbs, see the following video.