Incandescent lamps: characteristics, pros and cons

One of the earliest electric light sources was the legendary incandescent lamp. Her patent was adopted in 1879. Since then, for a long time, this device has been used by mankind in many fields of activity. However, today the incandescent lamp is gradually receding into the past. It was replaced by more economical lighting sources.

There are certain advantages and disadvantages to incandescent lamps. этих устройств, а также способы их применения и разновидности заслуживают подробного рассмотрения. The characteristics of these devices, as well as the methods of their application and variety, deserve detailed consideration. Also, their comparative characteristics with other lighting devices used today allow us to draw conclusions about the advisability of using incandescent lamps.

Lamp device

которых будут рассмотрены подробно далее, раньше встречались практически в каждом доме. Fixtures with incandescent lamps, whose characteristics will be discussed in detail later, were previously found in almost every home. The use of these devices was very simple and convenient. The device of an incandescent lamp is easy to understand. It consists of a glass bulb, inside which is a thread of tungsten. This container can be filled with gas or vacuum.

The tungsten filament is located on special electrodes through which electricity is supplied to it. These conductors are hidden by the cap. It has a thread, so that the lamp can easily be screwed into the socket. When electricity is supplied through the network through the plinth, the current is supplied to the tungsten filament. It is heating up. At the same time, light is sent to the environment. By this principle, all incandescent lamps work. There is a huge number of their varieties.

Main characteristics

Certain properties have incandescent lamps. этих приборов измеряются по разным показателям. The characteristics of these devices are measured by different indicators. The power range of these appliances, intended for domestic purposes, is from 25-150 watts. For street lighting and industrial purposes, lamps up to 1000 W can be used.

During operation, the tungsten filament is heated to 3000 ° C. The output of the light flux can vary from 9 to 19 Lm / W. In this case, the device can operate at a nominal voltage of 220-230 V. Some devices are rated at 127 V in the network. The frequency is 50 Hz.

The size of the plinth for such instruments can be of 3 types. This is indicated in the marking. If it is 14 mm, this is the socle E14. Accordingly, 27 mm is E27, and 40 mm is E40. The larger the cap, the greater the power is characteristic of the lighting device. It can be threaded, pin, one- or two-contact.

Under normal conditions, incandescent lamps operate for about 1 thousand hours.

Varieties

которых были рассмотрены выше, бывают нескольких видов. Filament lamps, the technical characteristics of which were considered above, are of several types. There are several principles on which to classify the presented devices.

First of all, incandescent lamps are distinguished in the shape of a bulb. It can be spherical (the most common), tubular, cylindrical, spherical. There are other, more rare varieties. They are used to create a certain decorative effect (for example, in Christmas tree garlands).

The coating of the bulb can be transparent or opaque. There are also mirror varieties. The purpose of the lamp is also quite varied. It can be used for general or local lighting, as well as for special needs (for example, quartz-halogen species).

The bulb can be filled with vacuum, as well as inert gases, for example, argon, xenon. There are also halogen incandescent lamps.

Volt-ampere characteristics

является нелинейной. The current-voltage characteristic of an incandescent lamp is nonlinear. This is because the resistance of the filament depends on temperature and current. Nonlinearity in this case is of an ascending nature. The higher the current, the stronger the resistance of the tungsten conductor.

The curve has an ascending appearance, because the dynamic value of the resistance is positive. At any of its points, the higher the current gain, the greater the voltage drop. This contributes to the automatic formation of a stable regime. With a constant voltage value, the current can not be changed due to internal causes.

Volt-ampere characteristics show that due to all the above-listed regularities, the incandescent lamp can be switched directly to mains voltage.

Permanent power supply

которых позволяют их использовать в бытовых целях, чаще всего питаются от постоянного источника электричества. Incandescent lamps, whose characteristics allow them to be used for domestic purposes, are most often fed from a constant source of electricity. It is also considered to be a resource of unlimited power. Therefore, often the mains voltage is considered the rated voltage of the incandescent lamp.

But it is worth noting that quite often the voltage in the network and its nominal value is slightly different. Therefore, to improve the performance of the illuminators, GOST 2239-79 was developed. It introduces 5 voltage intervals. It should comply with the incandescent lamps used for domestic purposes.

Limited power supplies

которых рассчитаны для применения в специальных устройствах, могут питаться от ограниченных источников (батарея, аккумулятор, генератор и т. д.). Incandescent lamps, the characteristics of which are designed for use in special devices, can be powered from limited sources (battery, battery, generator, etc.).

Their average actual voltage does not correspond to the nominal value. Therefore, for incandescent lamps that are powered from limited current sources, an indicator such as the design voltage is used. It equals the mean value at which the incandescent lamp is allowed to operate.

Marking

To understand what type of lamp is on sale, a special marking of these products was developed. To properly select the appropriate type of device, familiarize yourself with conventional conventions.

которой позволяют применять ее в бытовых целях, будет маркироваться, как Б235-245-60. For example, an argon lamp of 60 W incandescent, whose characteristics allow it to be used for domestic purposes, will be labeled as B235-245-60. The first letter means physical qualities or features of the product design. If there is a second letter in the marking, this is the purpose of the lamp. It can be railway (F), aircraft (SM), commutator (CM), automotive (A), searchlight (RV).

The first digit in the label indicates the voltage and power. The second numerical value is refinement. This allows you to choose the right lamp for a particular lighting device.

Benefits

которых сравнивают при покупке того или иного устройства, довольно различны. Incandescent and LED, whose comparative characteristics are compared with the purchase of a device, are quite different. The advantage of devices with tungsten filament is their cheap cost. There are a number of features that incandescent lamps favorably differ from LED, fluorescent light sources.

The presented devices, used earlier, work stably at low temperatures. Also they are not afraid of small electrical surges on the network. This allows them to operate for quite a long time.

If the voltage decreases for some reason, the incandescent lamp will still work, albeit with less intensity. Also, such devices are not afraid of high humidity. They are easy to connect to the network, this does not require any additional equipment.

If the incandescent lamp breaks, dangerous substances will not enter the air (as happens with energy-saving varieties of illuminators). Therefore, they are considered safer.

disadvantages

However, quite significant drawbacks include the characteristic of incandescent lamps. , а также диодных разновидностей осветительных приборов сегодня применяется гораздо больше по нескольким причинам. Fluorescent lamps , as well as diode varieties of lighting fixtures today are used much more for several reasons.

First of all, a significant downside of devices with a tungsten filament is a low level of light output. The spectrum of radiation is dominated by yellow, red shades. This gives unnatural lighting.

In comparison with new lamps, the principle of incandescence is characterized by a low service life. With deviations in the nominal voltage of the network, it decreases even more.

The bulb of the incandescent lamp is quite fragile. For this reason it is used most often with a plafond. And this further reduces the intensity of indoor lighting.

Also, incandescent lamps consume significantly more electricity. In comparison with luminescent, LED varieties, this deviation is really impressive. Therefore, in order to save energy, new types of devices should be selected. This contributes to the gradual cessation of the production of incandescent lamps.