What are fluorescent lamps?

Mercury light sources of low pressure (ND) have been known for a long time. Until now, on some supports of intra-city power lines, you can see the remains of the luminaires assembled on their basis. The mentioned source has several names, each of which points to one of the characteristic features. So, you can often hear the expression "fluorescent, or fluorescent light". However, the experience of using them for street lighting was unsuccessful. One of the reasons for this is the high complexity of the design and, consequently, the lower fault tolerance, when compared with a solution based on a conventional incandescent lamp. As you guessed it, dear reader, in the article we will tell you what the fluorescent lamps are.

Benefits

Despite the simplicity of the design and, as a consequence, the low cost of producing incandescent bulbs, the search for alternative solutions has not stopped since their appearance. And some researchers have chosen the development of fundamentally new directions (luminescent lamps), and others - the improvement of an already existing device. The significance of their work can not be overemphasized: high-pressure flasks have been proposed whose luminosity is so great that 2-3 units with a power of 250-300 watts can illuminate a huge hall with high ceilings; Filament began to be located not in a vacuum, but in an inert gas environment, which allowed to significantly reduce the amount of natural evaporation of the burning material.

The reason for such an active search for replacement lighting fixtures is simple - too low value of efficiency. So, the generation of visible light takes only 5% of the energy consumed, and the rest - the associated losses.

Luminescent lamps allowed to leave this problem in the past. For example, if the light flux is equal with the incandescent bulbs, the electrical power of the luminescent solutions is more than five times lower.

The next advantage is the possibility of choosing the hue of the light emitted by the instrument. Thus, the luminosity, corresponding to the radiation of a body with a temperature of 4200 K, gives the daytime white light. A higher value - 6400 K - creates a white cold glow. Well, 2700 K is a cozy warm light.

Filament glowers of such diversity and "did not dream."

Device of fluorescent lamps

Their design is quite simple: from two opposite sides of the glass tube are spirals of incandescence. The inner surface of the glass is covered with a layer of phosphor - a special substance that glows under the influence of electromagnetic radiation (remember CRT TVs). The necessary shade of luminescence is obtained by adding special additives to it. The tube is sealed and filled with inert gases and gaseous mercury. That is why the utilization of fluorescent lamps is a responsible matter and should be solved at the state level: it is impossible to throw the failed device into the garbage disposal facility.

Let's get to work

When switched on, a special start-up circuit creates a high-voltage pulse sufficient for an electric breakdown of the gas gap between the spirals. After that, the voltage drops to nominal, the power of which is used only to maintain the arc.

Modern fluorescent lamps outwardly represent not only the usual straight tubes, but also twisted spirals. Famous "housekeepers" - this is one of the varieties of luminescent instruments.