Energy-saving light bulbs: the principle of operation, the pros and cons of use

Despite the fact that energy-saving bulbs are gradually replaced by LEDs, they still hold a leading position in the number of sales. According to analysts, this situation will persist from two to five years, so it makes sense to consider the design of these lighting fixtures, the principle of operation, as well as other aspects related to their functioning.

What are energy-efficient light sources?

In fact, these are fluorescent lamps, they got the name energy-saving during the advertising campaign, in which the main emphasis was placed on this particular feature of the lighting device. As a result, at the household level, this term is firmly established behind compact luminescent sources made under the E27 and E14 socles, since they could easily replace the lamps incandescent.

Note that based on the characteristics of LED light sources, they have more rights to the term “Energy-saving”, but since they appeared on the mass market several years later, this name is behind them not fixed. On the other hand, there is no confusion when we ask for an energy-saving lamp, there is no doubt that the seller will offer a choice from luminescent sources.

Types of energy-saving lamps

First of all, so that there is no confusion, let's define the term “energy-saving”. So it is correct to call sources that consume significantly less electricity than incandescent lamps with an equal light flux in intensity. At the same time, energy-saving light sources can be used instead of LN without making changes to the design of the lighting device. That is, these lamps can be screwed into standard lampholders E27 and E14.

Under the above definition, two types of lamps are suitable:

• luminescent;
• LED light.

Each of these types, in turn, is divided into ordinary lamps with a constant luminous flux and adjustable, using a special device (dimmir). These devices work only with the type of lamps for which they are intended, that is, it is impossible to control the luminous flux of LL with a dimmer for LED sources, and vice versa.

In addition, there is a classification according to the spectrum of the light flux, it is more commonly known under the term "white light temperature". The most common are three options:

• Warm, has a soft yellowish tint, is close in spectrum to LN. It is marked as 2700K, 3000K.
• Natural, the spectrum of such sources is closest to sunlight. Marking 4200K.
• Cold, the sources have a bright white light (6000K), at higher temperatures a slight blue tint (6400K) appears.

The first option is great for bedrooms and relaxation areas, the second for children's and ordinary rooms, including living rooms, the latter, as a rule, is used to illuminate workrooms and offices.

Having dealt with the types, let's move on to the principle of work. A description of LED sources can be found on our website, so we focused on LL.

Design Features

Almost all light sources in this category have the same design. It includes a flask of a fluorescent lamp, an electronic ballast, necessary for start-up and operation, and the housing. If you are interested in how the ballast block is organized, its typical layout can be found on our website.

Designations:

• A - bulb of the lighting device.
• B - electronic ballast.
• C - housing with a rigidly fixed base.

Principle of operation

To explain how this lighting device works, it is necessary to show the design of its main element - a gas discharge lamp.

Designations:

• A - Contacts of the cathode.
• B - The base of the flask is made of insulating material.
• C - Tungsten spiral.
• D - Sealed glass tube;
• E - Phosphor coating of the inner surface of the tube.

The operation algorithm is as follows:

• Tungsten spirals are energized, they heat an inert gas, which contributes to the formation of mercury vapor.
• A high voltage pulse with different potentials is supplied to the cathodes; as a result, an ionized stream is formed between them.
• Electrons colliding with mercury atoms form ultraviolet light.
• This radiation acts on the special coating of the glass tube, which causes it to glow in the visible spectrum.

An electronic ballast, located in the housing of a compact fluorescent lighting device, controls the above process.

Pros, Cons, and Some Aspects of Energy Saving Sources

We specially combined in one section all the features of fluorescent lighting devices, since some of them, to put it mildly, are quite controversial and require explanation. Let's start with the main feature that gave the name to this category.

How economical is energy conservation?

Despite advertising, the actual energy savings compared to LVs for energy-saving sources do not exceed five times. And this is only with branded products of high quality. On the other hand, the cost of such devices is also several times higher.

Actually, the purchase will pay off during operation from six months to a year (depending on the manufacturer and capacity). But it is necessary to take into account destructive factors that reduce the service life of these devices, these include:

• Power surges. Given the limited size of the electronic balance, it is problematic to install a voltage stabilizer in it, which provides reliable protection against interference and surges. As a result, the resource of the electronic unit is significantly reduced, so there are often cases when lighting fixtures fail after several months of operation. You can fix the situation by installing a voltage stabilizer at the entrance to the apartment.

You can get detailed information about this equipment, its principle of operation and connection, on our website.

• Frequent on-off. Any gas discharge light source is critical to frequent transients. Manufacturers indicate the service life in the region of 9-10 thousand hours, provided that the on and off will be performed once a day. As you know, in reality this happens more often, but even under these conditions, the resource will be at least 3-3.5 thousand hours, which in any case is longer than that of ordinary drugs.
• Burn and remission. It should be borne in mind that for LL, to achieve maximum luminescence, 80 to 250 hours of operation are necessary. This period is called "burning." After reaching a peak, a process of gradual remission begins, which is reflected in a decrease in the level of light flux. For lighting devices of this type, after a year of operation, this figure may decrease by 30%. Therefore, the indicators of comparable power 1x5 declared by manufacturers are, to put it mildly, somewhat optimistic. In practice, this value is lower, for branded products 1x4 and Chinese products - 1x3.

About the quality of the light flux

The figure below shows the spectra of various artificial light sources and solar lighting. A two-way LL is shown as an energy-saving device. As you can see, its spectrum is much poorer compared to other sources.

Currently, such lamps are practically not produced. Modern LLs, as a rule, are available with three to five-band phosphors, which positively affects the quality of the light flux, bringing its spectrum closer to sunlight. Naturally, sources with a multiband phosphor are somewhat more expensive, but thanks to modern technology, this difference has become insignificant.

Strobe effect

In compact LLs, an electronic ballast is used, which virtually eliminates flicker. To be precise, it is present, but occurs at a high frequency, from 20 kHz or more, the human eye does not perceive such a pulsation. As a result, the effect of monotonous light flux is created. It should be noted that at temperatures below -10 ° С, a lighting device with LL can there are problems with the launch, which in some cases can manifest itself in the form of a stroboscopic effect.

Resistance to low temperatures and moisture

Typical LLs work seamlessly at ambient temperatures above -10 ° C. When lowering the lower limit, start-up problems begin, the lamp may flicker for a long time before flaring up or not turning on at all. Note that sources with a lower temperature threshold (-20 ° C) are produced. Below this threshold, LLs do not work, unlike sources with a filament. This is perhaps the only advantage of these devices.

As for moisture, any electric device is “afraid” of it, and LL in this case is no exception. The weakest link is the base; there is no effective defense for it. But this can be said of any light source.

Inertia

Sometimes you can hear the opinion that LL is characterized by a certain inertia at the start, that is, the source flares up within a few seconds. This feature is inherent in devices with the implemented warm start process, which allows to increase the resource by 20-25%. In most inexpensive products from Chinese manufacturers, such a function is not implemented. As a result, LL turns on almost instantly (cold start). This dubious pleasure negatively affects the service life. That is, in this case, inertia is a positive quality.

You can not control the level of lighting

It is true, but in part. It is really impossible to operate an energy-saving device to change the level of lighting with a conventional dimmer. Changing the voltage level can only disable the light source. To realize this possibility, special equipment is needed, but besides this, such an opportunity should be provided in the electronic ballast of the source. That is, LLs are needed, in the ballast blocks of which there are additional leads (control electrodes).

Note that such a solution is much more expensive than for LN. A lamp with control electrodes costs about $ 10- $ 16, and a controller starts at $ 35 or more.

The need for disposal

Since LL contains mercury, it is unacceptable to dispose of a lamp; it must be taken to special disposal points, which causes some inconvenience.

About Warranty

Some manufacturers really give a guarantee on their products, but do not rush to rejoice, it is rather arbitrary, and largely depends on the policy of the direct seller. He can always demand an examination, or the presence of a certificate from the electric company that during the operating period there were no surges. But in most cases, such a guarantee is really carried out, with a receipt and original packaging.

What to do if a light bulb crashes?

Despite the fact that in LL a relatively small amount of mercury, as a rule, is not more than 6 mg, this is quite it is enough that the vapor content of this exceeds the permissible norm by 200-250 times, which in itself is already danger. In such situations, it is required to immediately carry out demercurization of the premises, this can be done independently. Experts recommend acting according to the following algorithm:

1. Take people out of the room, and then open all the windows.
2. Put a gauze bandage on your face (for lack of such, you can use a handkerchief), and rubber gloves on your hands.
3. Carefully pick up the LL fragments and the phosphor, and then place them in any hermetically sealed non-metal container (in extreme cases, you can use a dense plastic bag). The remainder of the phosphor can not be collected with a vacuum cleaner, for the following reasons:

• heat from the device will accelerate the process of vaporization of mercury;
• it will not be possible to use the vacuum cleaner in the future, it will need to be disposed of.

1. After removing the LL residues, it is necessary to wet the room by adding any of the substances to the water, contributing to demercurization, these include bleach, baking soda, potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), and iodine solution.
2. Upon completion of wet cleaning, leave the room ventilated for as long as possible.

Wet cleaning and airing the premises is recommended to be repeated for several days. The remnants of LL must be disposed of; it is strictly forbidden to throw them out with ordinary garbage.

How to choose energy-saving light bulbs?

1. When choosing, it is first necessary to determine the type, preferably, of course, LED sources, but they are several times more expensive than fluorescent ones.
2. Next, you need to make sure that the lamp base is suitable for the lighting fixture. It is quite problematic to make a mistake here, there are only two options, a standard base (E27) and a minion (E14). If an error occurred and minions were bought, then you can insert such lamps into a standard cartridge using a special adapter. There are also reverse adapters, but in this case a problem may arise due to insufficient space in the ceiling.
3. Next, you need to determine the temperature of white light, the preference for a particular room was indicated in the section on the types of energy-saving sources.
4. Having decided on the temperature, we select the necessary power. It is difficult to give a recommendation, it all depends on the area of ​​the room and the features of its interior. Comparative power for flax, most manufacturers indicated on the box, but should not be especially trusted. As practice shows, you can safely reduce this figure by 10-20%.
5. As for the manufacturer, here is as usual. Brand products, if it is not counterfeit, are more reliable and last longer than lamps made by the Chinese in the third shift.

Instead of totals.

Do not rush to throw out a failed energy-saving light source, in most cases it can be brought back to life. A description of this process is published on our website.