Characteristics of incandescent lamps: the advantages and disadvantages of different types of lighting fixtures

Due to their excellent characteristics, incandescent lamps are in demand in the domestic market. Such luminaires are economical, affordable and provide quality light in the room. Today, despite the advent of LED technology, incandescent lamps are still popular with buyers, and many homeowners purchase chandeliers, table and floor lamps that use these elements lighting.

Principle of operation

Incandescent lamps are inexpensive sources of artificial light, the principle of which is based on the property of a tungsten filament, when an electric current passes through it, to emit light rays. Such luminaires will provide high-quality light while consuming a minimum of electricity. Today, with the development of technology, durable and inexpensive lamps have appeared, which differ in size, power, luminous flux and a number of other characteristics.

Design features

The design of the luminaire will directly depend on the gas used, the type of bulb, filament material and a number of other factors. Standard modifications consist of the following elements:

• glow body;
• current leads, holder and bulb;
• base.

The principle of operation of the illuminators is extremely simple. A powerful electric current is passed through the filament body, as a result of which the lamp emits a luminous flux with a yellow and red spectrum. The filament is made of tungsten, which has a high melting point, retaining its characteristics for a long time during the operation of light bulbs. Depending on the alloy used for making the filament body, the color temperature will change, which can fluctuate in the range of 2200-5700 Kelvin.

To prevent oxidation, the tungsten filament is placed in a sealed glass vessel filled with an inert gas. The flask is made of completely transparent silicate glass and can be spherical or elliptical. Mirrored bulbs are effective in creating a directional light output, which makes them versatile in use. The matte finish provides diffused and soft light, creating optimal conditions for rest and work with the lights on.

Inside the glass bulb there is a holder, to which electrodes are hermetically connected through the base. The holding hooks in contact with the tungsten filament are made of molybdenum. They prevent voltage losses and provide improved lighting quality while reducing electricity consumption.

In Russia, the most widespread are lamps that use a threaded base. They are carried out in three standard sizes. This allows you to easily select a model depending on its power and the characteristics of the lighting elements. In Europe, the most common options are with a base, which have special latches for the bayonet. In Canada and the USA, lamps made with a threaded connection are sold, but its diameter differs from the Russian standard.

Varieties of incandescent bulbs

The popularity of these devices is largely due to their simplicity, low cost and excellent performance. Currently, the following varieties can be found on sale:

• vacuum;
• argon;
• krypton;
• xenon;
• halogen.

Not all types of incandescent lamps have the same characteristics. The most economical are halogen and xenon lighting fixtures, which simultaneously provide bright and rich light with an optimal color temperature for the human eye.

But the krypton and argon varieties have not received proper distribution, which is explained by their high cost, significant electricity consumption and mediocre performance durability.

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other technology, incandescent lamps are characterized by their own advantages and disadvantages. With the advent of improved models, it is possible to make such luminaires even more economical, reliable and durable. Their advantages include the following:

• democratic cost;
• ease of use;
• optimal color temperature;
• resistance to high humidity.

To operate, such lamps do not require additional equipment, which makes it possible to reduce the cost of chandeliers, floor lamps and wall lamps, which are made on the basis of incandescent lamps. Today, models of various capacities are on sale, designed for both a small bathroom or toilet, and for a living room with an area of ​​30 square meters or more. The disadvantages include the following:

• low efficiency, not more than 4%;
• short service life;
• the fragility of the flask and the possibility of explosion if overheated;
• mediocre fire hazard;
• reduction of service life in case of voltage drops in the network.

Bulbs are made of silicate glass, so all lamps require careful handling. It is not recommended to use such lamps in houses where there are significant voltage surges in the network. In this case, you should additionally install mains filters that provide high-quality electric current, which prevents a reduction in the service life of the lighting elements.

Searchlight modification

Floodlights are more powerful and provide directional illumination as far as possible. Their incandescent body is made of three-core wire, and the bulb is made of ultra-strong transparent glass. Additionally, a mirror reflector is installed inside the sealed glass container, which makes it possible to increase the illumination power, making it narrowly directed. There are three groups of heavy duty lamps on sale:

• cinema spotlights;
• searchlight;
• lighthouse.

The maximum power of the floodlight lamps produced today is 8-10 kW. They allow you to provide directional quality lighting. For domestic purposes, such heavy-duty and expensive lighting elements are practically not used.

Mirror lamps

The features of the mirror lamp are a special pear-shaped bulb and the presence of an aluminum reflective layer. Bulbs are made of frosted glass, which smooths out contrasting shadows, while simultaneously giving the light the necessary softness. Depending on the characteristics of the applied reflective layer, such a lamp can provide concentrated, medium and wide light distribution.

This group also includes neodymium lamps, a distinctive feature of which is the presence of a glass bulb made using neodymium oxide. The high-quality reflective surface absorbs the yellow light spectrum, which makes the light white and bright. You can identify neodymium lamps by the presence of the Latin letter H in their index.

Halogen models

The difference between this type of lamp is the use of iodine and bromine halogen compounds to fill the glass gas flasks, which ensures the maximum possible durability of lighting elements, whose service life exceeds 2000 hours. You can find various halogen lamps on sale, differing in power, luminous flux and other characteristics.

Main characteristics

When choosing a luminaire, it is necessary to pay attention to its technical characteristics, on which the power, generated light and indicators of electricity consumption will directly depend. The main technical characteristics of incandescent lamps include:

• operating frequency;
• rated voltage indicator;
• light output;
• heating temperature of the tungsten filament;
• power range;
• the size and type of the base;
• operating life of the lamp.

The power range of an incandescent lamp is 25-150 W, but industrial illuminators can have a luminous power of 1000 W or more. The operating rated voltage, depending on the type of base, will be 127 and 220 volts. The size of the lamp bore, taking into account its power, is 14, 27 or 40 millimeters.

The service life depends on the power, the quality of the power supply of the house, as well as the working nominal voltage. Luminaires powered by 127 volts have a design life of 2,500 hours. Lamps used at a nominal voltage of 220 volts last about 1000 hours.

Standard lamps, despite the appearance of LED lamps, have not lost their relevance and are still popular with buyers. Modern models are economical, provide high-quality diffused or directional light, are easy to use and are offered at affordable prices. Excellent technical characteristics allow buyers regardless of the functional the purpose of the lighting elements is to select lamps that will fully match their requirements.