Gas discharge lamps are sources of visible light energy. The main structural element of the discharge lamp is a glass bulb with gas or metal vapor injected inside. On both sides, electrodes are supplied to the flask, between which the occurrence and combustion of an electric discharge occurs.
Gas discharge lamps have a fairly extensive classification. There are two main types:
- High-pressure discharge lamps (GRLVD). They include DRI, DRL, DKst, DNat.
- Low-pressure discharge lamps (GRLND), which include LL of various types, CFL, special LL.
These light sources successfully replace obsolete incandescent lamps, which, nevertheless, find application in specific rooms where the installation of other lamps is impossible.
The advantages of discharge lamps are:
- Efficiency.
- High light output.
- High degree of color rendition.
- Profitability.
- Long service life
The disadvantages that discharge lamps have are as follows:
- The linearity of the emitted spectrum.
- High cost.
- Overall indicators.
- The need to install ballasts.
- The presence of a stroboscopic effect, i.e. flickering radiation.
- High sensitivity to voltage drops.
- Toxicity.
- Work only on alternating current.
The quality characteristics that each discharge lamp has meet the high requirements, such as:
- Operation - up to 20,000 hours of combustion.
- Efficiency - up to 220 lumens per kW of energy.
- Different colors of the emitted light: warm white, white, cold white, natural, etc.
- The electric arc allows you to create beams of light radiation of high intensity.
The medium in which the electric discharge combustion process takes place can be filled with various gases, such as argon, neon, xenon, krypton, as well as vapors of various metals, for example, mercury or sodium.
It must be borne in mind that discharge lamps of any type must be installed in closed luminaires equipped with protective glass. For the successful operation of this type of light sources, special ballasts and ballasts should be installed.
Gas discharge lamps require high parameters of the electrical network to which they are connected. Large (more than 3%) deviations of network parameters from nominal are not allowed.
Gas discharge lamps can be used in production shops and other premises of factories, in all kinds of shops and shopping centers, offices and various public premises, as well as for decorative lighting of buildings and pedestrian walkways. In addition, they are widely used for highly artistic cinema and stage lighting, for which professional equipment is used.
The efficiency of discharge lamps allows you to reduce the cost of lighting equipment and accessories.