What are sodium lamps: types, characteristics, use + choice

Economical sodium lamps - a practical light source for large spaces, where the main task is not color accuracy, and economical, rich, high-performance and bright full radiation.

The modules are reliable, not too demanding to environmental conditions and operationally stable. With their help, you can reduce energy costs, while not sacrificing the quality and density of the outgoing light flow.

However, in order for the lamps to do their job as efficiently as possible, it is necessary to select them correctly in accordance with the intended conditions of use. In order not to get confused in diversity, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the classification of sodium aggregates, learn their pros and cons, the scope of application and the rules of choice.

General Description of Lighting

Sodium products are progressive, modern and cost-effective equipment. The main working element in them is sodium vapor.

Design features of the modules

The whole process takes place in a special burner tube of a cylindrical shape, consisting of aluminum oxide.

Elements that carry out radiation are placed in a cylinder of durable glass, equipped with the most popular E27 or E40 screw bases.

The resonant radiation produced in the process has a specific yellow-orange color, which is called monochromatic.

This means that, despite the brightness, density and saturation, the light flux does not perform a good color rendition.

In addition, being at the doubled frequency of the power supply network, the modules flicker significantly, which makes them absolutely not suitable for lighting residential premises.

Sodium light sources consist of a heat-resistant glass bulb of elliptical or cylindrical shape. Inside is a working aluminum burner, equipped on both sides with electrodes.

This material has high physical characteristics and is characterized by good operational durability.

Correctly interacts with sodium vapors and has the unique ability to transmit about 90% of the produced light energy, without being destroyed.

In addition to sodium compounds, mercury and argon are inside the discharge tube.

The flask is completed with special gaskets. They take care of maintaining the vacuum in the inner space of the light bulb and do not allow oxygen to penetrate the burner.

This increases the level of operational safety of the devices, since in the process of operation the discharge tube is very hot and reaches almost fantastic performance of 1300 ° C.

In this case, the ingress of even a very small amount of air can destroy the integrity of the module and provoke a situation that is dangerous for nearby people.

The principle of operation of products

The principle of the sodium device is based on arc discharges. As a result of the pulse voltage generated in the inner tube, they create a rich visible glow.

In sodium vapor, which is responsible for the formation of a gas-discharge medium inside the bulb, the red spectral luminescence prevails.

Due to this feature, lamp assemblies create outgoing light of such shades as:

• yellow;
• Orange;
• red in a wide variety of shades.

Immediately after activation, sodium devices burn weakly and dimly, because the bulk of energy resources are spent on high-quality heating of the working burner.

The light flow acquires the necessary brightness, saturation and power only after 5-10 minutes, when the temperature of the internal burner reaches the level necessary for correct operation.

Nuances of the device startup system

All sodium-type products need a launch system. It is designed for optimal ignition and convenient adjustment of the current flow. Now there are two types of control elements on the market.

Option number 1. This is a gear box designed to function at a mains voltage of 220 V. It has a simplified design, is sold at a reasonable price and refers to the budget options for related equipment.

Option number 2. This is a more modern, progressive electronic ECG unit, which does not have a lighting device in its design.

It stabilizes power, significantly increases the efficiency of light output, eliminates flickering that is unpleasant for the eyes, and extends the lifetime of the sodium device.

The only disadvantage of the product is a higher price than that of PRA. However, experts say that the electronic device pays off quickly and significantly increases the comfort of controlling the lighting system.

Classification of sodium aggregates

According to the basic classification, lamps differ among themselves in the level of the internal partial pressure of sodium vapor.

Products with low rates are called low pressure modules (LND). Devices that show large numbers are high pressure devices.

Each category has its pros and cons. Focusing on them, the user can easily choose for himself the most successful and optimal lighting fixture in parameters.

Distinctive features of low pressure modules

Low pressure products (NLND) have several specific features that distinguish them from the assortment line of similar devices.

Completed not with a simple glass bulb, but with a high strength borosilicate. This is due to the aggressive effect of sodium vapor on glass surfaces.

The effective operation of NLND is directly dependent on the ambient temperature. Therefore, to ensure optimal functioning conditions, the light bulb is placed in an external glass flask, which acts as a kind of thermos and protects the light source from negative effects.

What is interesting high-pressure lamps

High-pressure sodium modules (NLVD) are famous for better color rendering and phenomenal efficiency. Their light output at a power of 30-1000 W reaches 160 lm / W, and the service life often exceeds 25,000 hours.

Due to the compact size of the luminous body and the unprecedented brightness of the emitted light flux, the application area of ​​the products is very wide.

Products must be operated with inductive or electronic ballast. Ignition is carried out using a special device (IZU), which ensures the supply of pulses up to 6 kW.

From the moment of activation until the emergence of full-fledged light of the required brightness, it takes from 3 to 5 minutes.

Nomenclature unit of devices

The generally accepted domestic nomenclature of sources of illumination identifies four types of sodium devices. They are available in various versions and are intended for specific tasks. To understand where to use this or that type of lamp, you need to know about their distinctive features.

What is the DNT

DNaT are arc tubular modules with a screw base and a flask of transparent quartz glass. They have a cylindrical shape and differ from their analogues in a wide power range.

Demonstrate a good level of efficiency and are included in the category of economical light sources.

Products provide high-quality street lighting with a pronounced contrast visibility in different weather conditions.

Suitable for location on intercity highways, in tunnels, on airfields, etc. Show excellent results when used in greenhouses, greenhouses and greenhouses.

DNaMT have the same parameters, but are available in an ellipsoidal form and are equipped with a frosted glass bulb to create a softer diffused lighting.

How does the DNA

The DNAZ is a light source equipped with a bulb with a built-in reflector made of a specular aluminum film, tightly located on the inner walls of the instrument. Made in the form of an ellipse and equipped with a classic screw base.

The most widely used in the agricultural industry. They successfully imitate natural light and ensure the active growth and development of vegetable and ornamental crops growing in greenhouses.

What is the difference dnas

DnaS from all other lamps are distinguished by the presence of a light-scattering coating on the inner surface of the bulb. This technical solution allows the module to be used for direct replacement of outdated and environmentally hazardous gas-discharge mercury lamps.

The DNaS modules are most widely involved in research laboratories, in the field of medicine, chemical industry and other related industries.

The main advantages of sodium aggregates

In sodium type light sources, the most interesting, important and noteworthy are the following characteristics:

• unprecedented high light output - up to 150 lm / W for high-pressure modules and about 200 lm / W for low-pressure lamps;
• long operational period - from 12,000 to 32,000 hours without loss of quality and saturation of the light flux;
• profitability of work - reduction of basic energy consumption and reduction in 1.5-2 times the cost of servicing the lighting installation;
• wide operating temperature range - products function absolutely correctly in the range from -60 ° C to + 40 ° C.

Sodium light sources are twice as effective as ordinary daytime lamps with similar power.

This is due to the design features of the products and a compact emitter of small size, capable of very easily and without delay to direct the light rays in the necessary direction.

Main product flaws

In addition to an impressive list of advantages and positive qualities, sodium light sources have several specific features with a minus sign.

Among them are such positions as:

• specific color rangechanging in the course of long-term work - does not allow the use of modules in rooms where high requirements for color rendition are established;
• weather dependency the quality and saturation of the light flux - during cold temperature conditions, the radiation deteriorates markedly and loses its intensity;
• high level of sensitivity to the mains - it is undesirable to use devices with serious systemic fluctuations; operation is permissible only in networks with even voltage, where only occasionally slight fluctuations are observed;
• the need for additional security elements - in the process of burning a leakage of sodium atoms is formed, and in order to avoid this, a discharge single-crystal tube is used with the lamp;
• duration of primary ignition - when activated, the lamp does not light up immediately and gives a stable light flux only after 6-10 minutes;
• problematic connection and subsequent maintenance of control gear having impressive dimensions and prone to a loss of up to 60% of capacity;
• ripple of light with a network frequency of 50 Hz;
• stable growth of power consumption during the whole period of operation - sometimes the figures exceed the primary figures by 35-40%.

Considering all these moments, experts do not recommend the use of lamps for household lighting systems. At home, sodium light sources simply will not be able to express themselves properly.

But there, where an economical, powerful, saturated light is required without a claim to a clear and correct color rendition, the modules will work to the top five and will perfectly cope with the tasks set.

Hazard to humans and the atmosphere

Since sodium light sources due to low color rendering are not used in rooms where people spend a lot of time too much negative impact on human health they don’t render.

However, it is impossible to call them completely safe and environmentally friendly due to toxic mercury in the composition.

Throwing the expired product into garbage containers is strictly prohibited. When the integrity of the flask is violated, mercury goes into the surrounding space, creating toxic fumes around, 20 times exceeding the permissible safe standards.

Rules for the disposal of sodium llamas are the same as for fluorescent lamps, for more details see this article.

Device scope

Poor color accuracy does not allow the use of sodium modules in residential premises, but for the street this parameter is almost irrelevant, so NL are used there most often.

With the help of NL create cost-effective and highly efficient systems for lighting large areas, avenues, highways and suburban highways.

NL put in devices designed for background lighting and illumination:

• tunnels, sports facilities and container sites;
• historical monuments and architectural structures;
• airports, train stations and other places where people do not spend much time;
• workshops, industrial and warehouse premises, where there are no complaints about the quality of color rendition;
• in greenhouses, winter gardens and greenhouses to increase growth rates and the base yield of plants, ornamental flowers, vegetable crops and berries.

In all the above listed electrical systems, LNs work efficiently and provide an adequate level of illumination, with minimal energy consumption.

How to choose the right light source

The poor quality of color rendering and strong flickering make sodium modules unsuitable for domestic use and permanent lighting of residential premises.

But this is not a reason to refuse to use such economical and efficient light sources in other areas.

You just need to clearly define the tasks that need to be solved and specifically for them to choose the most successful light source.

If it is necessary to create a lighting system in a greenhouse or greenhouse where various vegetables are grown, greens, berries, ornamental plants and flowers, should prefer high-pressure products with marking DNA

They have a 95% reflecting factor and keep these parameters at the proper level during the entire operational period.

The luminous flux of the lamps is directed not only downwards, as, for example, at the DNAT modules, but is distributed lengthwise.

This makes it possible to embed sodium products directly into the center of the rack, sill or table, from where they can scatter light both along the row and on both sides around.

Simple DNLs do well in greenhouses with minimal access to sunlight. They provide vital for plants blue and red spectral glow, accelerating growth, development, fruiting and flowering.

When it is necessary to highlight the highways and high quality of their safety during difficult weather conditions such as thick fog or snowfall, you should pay attention to the classic DNAT low pressure.

They economically consume the resource, have a long service life of up to 32,000 hours and give a rich and bright stream of light up to 200 lm / W.

Information about the nuances of choice, the best manufacturers of lamps for residential use is given in the articles:

1. Which bulbs are better for home: what are the + rules for choosing the best light bulb
2. Choosing energy-saving lamps: a comparative review of 3 types of energy-efficient light bulbs
3. Light bulbs for suspended ceilings: the rules for choosing and connecting + schemes for the location of lamps on the ceiling
4. Which LED lamp is better to choose: types, characteristics, choice + best models

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

What is a sodium lamp, how does it work in different conditions and how does it differ from other light sources:

A detailed review of the sodium module from the German company Osram:

How to effectively highlight plants in the greenhouse with the help of sodium lighting products:

To choose sodium devices is necessary in strict accordance with the area of ​​use. It is better to purchase products of famous brands in a store where goods are stored in suitable conditions and are not exposed to aggressive environmental influences.

Such a lamp will serve the entire term, will not require complex maintenance procedures and will provide a dense, saturated light flux in any convenient place for the user.

Have experience using sodium lamps? Or want to ask questions on the topic? Please comment on the publication and participate in discussions. The feedback block is located below.