Halogen bulbs are advanced incandescent bulbs that are designed to directly replace their obsolete predecessors. Halogen lamps for the home give light in the color spectrum closest to the light of the Sun, which the human eye perceives best. They are economical and their service life is several times longer than incandescent lamps. In the article we will talk about the types of halogen lamps and their features, advantages and disadvantages.
Fields of application
Halogen bulbs are used for street lighting and in floodlights. Due to the high light output and neutral powerful white light, halogen lamps are used in film projectors, where the perception of the film depends on the correct color rendering. Such lamps are indispensable in operating rooms due to their power and compactness. A similar LED lamp will be very massive and heavy due to voltage transformers. Lamps with halogen lamps come in different capacities, so they are suitable for general lighting of commercial premises, as well as for window dressing. They are actively used in everyday life for the direct replacement of obsolete incandescent lamps. Halogen bulbs have the same base as incandescent bulbs, and with equal energy consumption have a higher light output. Recessed halogen ceiling lights are suitable for suspended ceilings, subject to the rules for their installation.
Benefits
The main advantage of halogen bulbs is their bright neutral white light. The human eye perceives this shade best, so the colors of the surrounding objects look bright and saturated. With proper use, the luminous intensity is maintained until the end of the lamp life. Such lamps can save up to 20% of energy consumed in comparison with incandescent lamps, while the brightness of the light does not change. The service life of such lamps is up to 4000 hours, which is 4 times longer than that of incandescent lamps. Various power and small dimensions allow the use of halogen lamps in spotlights. They tolerate temperature extremes and high humidity, so they can be used for street lighting. The cost of halogen lamps is much lower than LED.
disadvantages
The disadvantages of halogen lamps for the home include:
- Sensitivity to voltage drops. You can protect the lamp from power surges by installing a transformer.
- The difficulty of installation and replacement. Do not touch the glass with bare hands. The sebum on the flask heats up very much, which causes the glass to crack, gas from the flask disappears, and the lamp instantly burns out. To replace the lamps, you must use gloves or a clean cloth. If touch cannot be avoided, wipe the lamp with alcohol or acetone.
- Disposal A feature of halogen ceiling lights is the gas content in the bulb. They cannot be simply thrown into the garbage chute; it is necessary to pass a long-lived lamp to an organization engaged in the disposal of chemical waste.
- Heat. Like incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs get very hot, so when installing, it is important that the bulb does not touch the ceiling. Halogen luminaires for suspended ceilings must be mounted with a supply of air gap for cooling between the base floor and the suspended ceiling. To protect the stretch ceiling from heating, it is necessary to use special protective rings. Exposure to high temperatures contributes to the deformation and cracking of the film web.
- Ultraviolet. Halogen lamps with prolonged exposure contribute to the "burnout" of materials.
Device
The design of the halogen lamp is very similar to that of an incandescent lamp. It consists of:
- tungsten helix;
- legs
- holders;
- buffer gas;
- insulator;
- base and screw contact for classic lamps;
- contact pair of capsule and spotlights;
- reflector for spotlights;
- protective flask.
Principle of operation
The principle of operation of halogen lamps is as follows: when voltage is applied to the tungsten spiral, it heats up and begins to give off light. Buffer gas allows tungsten to heat up more, thereby increasing light output. Tungsten atoms “come off” from the spiral, but due to the halogen gas they do not evaporate. Therefore, judging by the reviews, the service life of halogen lamps is much longer than that of incandescent lamps, and the bulb does not darken with time. However, tungsten particles settle in a random place in the spiral, and not where they “come off” from. Over time, the thickness of the spiral becomes uneven. Thicker places heat up more and the lamp burns out.
Standard voltage
Halogen lamps of standard voltage operate from a 220 W network. Usually these are linear fixtures and lamps with a protective bulb. The latter are very similar to ordinary incandescent lamps, have a screw base of various sizes and a protective glass bulb. Such lamps are convenient for domestic use, since they easily replace incandescent lamps without installing additional equipment, and the protective glass protects the halogen gas bulb from accidental contamination.
Low voltage
Low-voltage halogen lamps operate at voltages up to 24 watts. They require additional installation of a voltage-reducing transformer, which also protects the lamp from voltage surges. Low-voltage halogen lamps are capsular and mirror.
Linear
Linear halogen lamps are a quartz glass tube with a tungsten spiral, which is supported by special holders. Sockets are located at both ends of the tube. Linear lamps are produced in standard sizes: 7.8 and 11.8 cm. Linear lamps are installed exclusively in a horizontal position. Due to the strong brightness and high power consumption, they are rarely used indoors, but they are great for spotlights. Modern models of linear luminaires have increased strength and uniform flood light, so they are suitable for installation in rooms with a large area.
With external flask
Lamps with a protective bulb are designed to directly replace incandescent lamps. They work from a standard voltage network of 220 W and are visually very similar to Ilyich’s bulbs. They consist of a small quartz bulb with a tungsten helix filled with halogen gas and a larger outer bulb that protects the quartz glass from being touched accidentally. Such lamps are available with standard caps. The outer glass may be transparent, frosted or milky. There are models with ultraviolet filters. Halogen lamps are more compact than incandescent lamps, and can be used in miniature fixtures. The outer bulb can be decorative: in the form of a candle or hexagon. The service life of halogen lamps depends on the stability of the voltage in the network, so it is recommended to install protective voltage transformers.
Mirrored
Mirror halogen ceiling lights consist of a quartz capsule and a cone-shaped reflector. The capsule is small in size, and the tungsten spiral can be located both vertically and horizontally. The reflector is usually made of aluminum. Aluminum directs thermal radiation downward, which is important when installing halogen lamps in suspended ceilings. There are models of lamps with interference reflectors that remove heat back. IRC-halogen luminaires do not transmit infrared radiation from the tungsten helix, due to which heat loss is reduced and the lamp brightness increases. Judging by the reviews, this makes the lamps safer and more economical, and also increases their service life.
Produce models with protective glass and without it. It can be transparent, dull, milky or colored. Most safety glasses trap ultraviolet light. Lamps without protective glass can only be used in closed luminaires.
These bulbs operate on voltages of 6, 12 and 24 watts, so they require additional installation of a voltage-reducing transformer. Such a transformer will also protect the luminaires from voltage surges and increase their service life.
Mirror lights are suitable for installation in suspended and suspended ceilings. However, it is important to leave sufficient space between the concrete floor and the suspended structure in order to avoid overheating of the luminaires and the ignition of the ceiling. For the installation of halogen spotlights in a suspended ceiling, it is necessary to use protective thermal rings to avoid overheating and deformation of the canvas. Spotlights can be used both to highlight individual areas, and to create general lighting. Halogen lamps are often used as recessed lighting in furniture.
Capsule
Capsule lamps are a miniature quartz glass bulb with a horizontal or vertical tungsten spiral. Typically, such lamps are used as a structural element of spotlights without a protective glass, as well as in halogen chandeliers. Capsule lamps are popular for organizing decorative lighting.
Halogen lamps - an improved model of an incandescent lamp. Thanks to the buffer gas, which prevents the evaporation of tungsten, halogen lamps have a longer service life. The main advantage of halogen lamps is the bright white light, which is well perceived by the human eye. This shade of the light flux contributes to the correct perception of color and does not strain the eyes. However, halogen lamps are sensitive to voltage surges in the mains, are very hot and emit ultraviolet light. Such lamps must not be touched with bare hands, as even minimal pollution will damage them.
They produce standard voltage and low voltage lamps. Linear luminaires and lamps with a protective bulb operate at a standard mains voltage of 220 watts. The latter are very similar to ordinary incandescent lamps, have a standard base, and a protective glass prevents the contamination of a quartz bulb. They are convenient for household use. Mirror models of fixtures are used as spot lighting and backlighting. The mirror reflector redirects the light and infrared flux down, which prevents overheating of the upper part of the lamp. Thanks to this, lamps with a reflector can be used in suspended and suspended ceilings, as well as built into furniture. Halogen spotlights are produced with protective transparent, frosted, white and colored glass, as well as without it. The latter can only be used in closed fixtures.