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What types of electric lamps are best and why. Difference between LED and light bulb

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Lighting is rightfully considered one of the most important elements of any modern room. In addition to the main purpose lighting perform a decorative function as part of other interior elements. Therefore, in order to use lamps correctly and rationally, you need to have an idea of ​​what types of lighting lamps are, what are their technical characteristics and capabilities. They differ in the nature of light and operating conditions. Common elements and parameters are, power and light output, which serve as the main criteria for choosing the right lamp.

Incandescent lamps

The design of all incandescent bulbs includes a base, a vacuum glass bulb or cylinder, as well as filaments that produce light radiation. The fuse and contacts are located on the base.

Tungsten alloys are used to make helical filaments. They can easily withstand the value of the operating temperature of combustion within 3200 0 C. To prevent instantaneous burnout of the filament, the bulbs of all modern incandescent lamps are filled with argon or other inert gas.

Incandescent light bulbs are very different. simple principle actions. Through a conductor with a small cross section and low conductivity, which is an incandescent filament, is passed electricity. Under the action of current, the coil begins to heat up, and then begins to glow.

This type of light bulbs is currently widely used in everyday life, in production and in other areas, mainly due to its low cost, ease of installation and almost instantaneous obtaining of the desired light output. However, such bulbs have several serious drawbacks:

  • They have a very low efficiency, not exceeding 2-3% of the amount of energy consumed. The rest of the electricity is converted into heat energy.
  • Represents a certain fire hazard.
  • Short service life of 500 to 1500 hours.

LED lamp

Increasingly popular are LED lamps related to high-tech products. At its core, each LED is an ordinary semiconductor, the energy of which is partially dumped in the p-n junction in the form of photons, which are visible light.

This type of bulb has excellent technical specifications. They are many times superior to all the parameters of conventional incandescent lamps, including in matters of energy consumption. An LED lamp consumes 10 times less electricity than an incandescent lamp. Maximum term service is actually 3 to 5 years. The design is mercury-free, and therefore these lamps are safe and easy to dispose of.

As disadvantages, the very high cost of these devices and the impossibility of widespread use at home should be noted. No scattered light requires use more LED lamps.

Features of halogen lamps

This type of lighting is very similar to incandescent lamps and almost no different from them. Sometimes meet design features but they work on the same principle. The main difference is the presence of a gas composition in the cylinder.

In addition to the inert gas, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine is added to the vacuum flask. This makes it possible to increase the temperature of the filament and at the same time reduce the evaporation of tungsten. As a result, there is a significant increase in the glass heating temperature, so quartz material is used for its manufacture. Quartz glass is coated with a special coating that prevents ultraviolet radiation. Halogen bulbs are contraindicated for bulb contamination, in otherwise they burn out very quickly. Do not touch the cylinder with an unprotected hand.

The main advantages of halogen lamps include stable light and increased brightness, as well as improved color rendering. Combination chemical elements allows you to achieve different shades of emitted light. These light bulbs are compact in size and have a long service life.

Types and designs of halogen lamps:

  • Linear, with spiral filament. The quartz tube is transparent. They are distinguished by a double-ended design, increased strength of the thread holders and are used to illuminate surfaces. Lamps with a power of up to 500 watts are in the greatest demand.
  • Capsule lamps, characterized by the most compact dimensions. They don't need protective glass and external reflectors, already deposited on the rear wall. Used as advertising lighting and commercial lighting.
  • Low voltage light bulbs with aluminum reflector. They are used for general lighting and decoration of suspended ceilings.
  • Lamps which design includes a parabolic glass reflector coated with a layer of aluminium. The front side of the glass surface is slightly corrugated, due to which a slightly sparkling light is created. For outdoor use, moisture protection is required.

Conventional halogen lamps operate directly from electrical network. They are equipped with standard screw bases. In these light bulbs, brightness is not lost over time, but in general, a bright, saturated, even light is obtained, the spectrum approaching the sun. Some types of lamps can work in conjunction with.

A significant disadvantage of halogen lamps is the real possibility of their premature burnout under the influence of voltage drops. In addition, the lamp bulb reaches a very high temperature during operation, which can lead to an explosion. The operation of halogen bulbs does not require any special knowledge and skills. It is quite enough to keep the flask clean and the lighting device will work for a very long time.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)

Compact fluorescent lamps, which appeared on the market, turned out to be a real breakthrough in lighting technology. In their design, the main drawback of old fluorescent lamps was eliminated - large sizes and the absence of standard rifled cartridges and socles. In the new models, all these shortcomings have been completely eliminated. The ballast is housed in a plinth, and the long tube has adopted a variety of compact configurations, mostly spiral. In addition, all CFLs differ in power and other parameters.

For compact models, there is no need for an electronic ballast. CFLs replaced not only the old long lamps, but also ordinary incandescent bulbs.

The disadvantages of these products include the presence of mercury compounds, and therefore require special disposal. CFLs do not tolerate frequent switching on and off; when using the backlight indicator in the switch, they begin to flicker. They are distinguished by a long start-up time, and unstable operation at low temperatures. The light of these lamps is still far from natural and creates a load on the eyesight. However, compact fluorescent lamps are quite economical and constant use can significantly reduce energy costs.

Types of conventional fluorescent lamps

Despite the appearance of compact models, conventional fluorescent lamps are still very popular and are used in many areas.

The principle of operation of these devices has significant differences from incandescent bulbs. The tungsten filament is replaced by mercury vapor, which is in a glass flask and burns under the influence of an electric current. The resulting light is practically invisible, since its emission occurs in the ultraviolet. In turn, it is the ultraviolet that acts on the phosphor that covers the walls of the glass tube and produces a visible glow.

Considering the main types of lighting lamps, it should be noted that fluorescent models have a low operating temperature. Due to the large surface of the glow, it became possible to create even diffused light. For this reason, they received their second name - fluorescent lamps, by which they are known to the general public. In terms of service life, they are almost 10 times superior to traditional incandescent bulbs.

Fluorescent lamps cannot be directly connected to the mains. This is their serious shortcoming. Connection is required, as well as a starter that starts the lamp at the moment it is turned on.

Each of us, when choosing lamps, has noticed more than once that there are just a huge number of them - various design, power, base of various shapes and much more. So, sometimes you think about whether to buy some new lamp, because, according to the manufacturer, there is no harm from it, and it saves electricity, and it shines quite brightly. Let's take a look at what types of light bulbs exist and how they differ from each other. We will also talk about which are more and which are less harmful to health.

General information

There are a wide variety of lighting fixtures on the market today. The price between the cheapest and most expensive can vary significantly. At the same time, consumer and technological properties of the product also differ. In principle, sometimes it does not make much sense to purchase a lamp that is too expensive, but it happens that it is simply necessary. In any case, a lot depends on the operating conditions. For example, at elevated ambient temperatures, some lamps are used, at a high level of moisture - others, in frost - thirds, and so on. To date, there are the following types of light bulbs:

  • incandescent;
  • luminescent;
  • halogen;
  • LED.

Let's look at each group and find out how they differ from each other. Without a doubt, there is something to talk about.

Incandescent lamps

These are perhaps the most common and popular lamps. We can say that for a long time, they were out of competition in the market. However, now the situation has changed somewhat, but we will not talk about that. The power of such lamps ranges from 15 to 300 watts, and the shape can be different. Today they are represented by two varieties: these are krypton and bispiral. Krypton incandescent lamps use krypton gas. The power of such products is usually not higher than 100 watts and not lower than 40. Good light output can be distinguished from the advantages.

The second variety is bispiral lamps. They give light due to the tungsten filament, which has an arcuate shape. Usually the surface of the lamps is made transparent, but there are also mirror and opal. It makes sense to say that matting slightly worsens the light output, but at the same time makes the light more diffused. With such lighting, our eyes feel most comfortable and do not get tired. Now let's look at other types of light bulbs. First - about the most popular.

Fluorescent lamps

In recent years, fluorescent lamps have become widespread. They have a number of significant advantages. Their power ranges from 8 to 80 watts. The principle of operation of the lamp is based on the effect of ultraviolet radiation on phosphors in a gaseous medium. It is safe to say that any kind of light bulbs of this type are pleasing to the eye, as they give a diffused and soft light.

Currently, fluorescent lamps are the main competitor of incandescent lamps. They are several times more economical. At the same time, at the same power, the luminous flux of fluorescent lamps is about 6-8 times higher. We can also say that their service life differs. In our case, it is about 10-20 times higher. By the way, there are also disadvantages that are inherent in all such lamps: firstly, they are sensitive to temperature changes, and secondly, they often flicker due to power surges.

Types of energy-saving light bulbs

We have already considered fluorescent lamps, and now let's talk about halogen bulbs. Key Features such products is that they are very bright. It should be understood that they come in various forms. So, in some cases it is possible to achieve diffused light, in others - concentrated. It is also worth noting that such lamps are very small, for this simple reason they are extremely popular in the design of the room, as they are invisible and at the same time quite bright.

It is worth paying attention to the fact that all, in particular, halogen ones, do not tolerate the touch of human hands. This is due to the fact that a small amount of fat will remain on the surface, which in any case is present on the fingers and palms. When turned on, the lamp heats up intensively and a black spot appears in place of the fat, and this significantly reduces the resource, on average by 30-50%, it is impossible to say more precisely. When properly used, these lamps are at their best, however, sometimes there is a problem with the contacts, which often burn.

About LED lighting

All types of LED light bulbs are considered economical. We can say that they consume really little electricity, usually 50% less than incandescent lamps. Agree, with the same light intensity, this is just an excellent result. Such lamps have not only high luminous efficiency, but also a long service life. In fact, all this makes such lamps unique in their own way, and this is true. True, voltage drops in the network adversely affect the LEDs, which will instantly burn out.

Recently, interesting models of lamps began to appear on the market. Their main feature is the autonomy of the product. They turn on at nightfall and work on solar panels or regular batteries. In addition, the lamps are not afraid of either low or too high temperatures. Their performance will not be affected.

What is a plinth?

In short, the base is a structural element of the lamp, which makes it possible to install it in the socket. But since some types of lamps do not provide for a classic cartridge, then the base, in fact, may be absent. In addition, it is used as a transmitter of electricity between the network and the lamp itself. Of course, often the base is made of metal, but in some cases it is made of ceramic. The outer part of the product contains contacts, and the inner part contains filaments and electrodes.

It must be understood that each lamp has its own type of cartridge, so only certain bulbs can be installed there. Types of socles are divided into threaded and pin. Threaded (screw) is more common in everyday life, however, for example, they most often have a pin base. That is why before buying, always inspect the labeling of the light bulb. Types of socles can be learned to be distinguished by the letter on the case: G - pin base, E - threaded and so on.

Pin and base Edison

The pin base is usually equipped with halogen and LED lamps. We can say with confidence that this is a very popular and effective solution, which allows not only to instantly replace a burned-out lamp, but also to significantly reduce its dimensions. At the same time, a pair of metal pins provides good contact. But it is extremely important that the socket where the base is inserted is tight. If it is loose, then the lamp will constantly move away, and there is nothing good in this.

In principle, all types can work from such a base, the only exceptions are gas-discharge ones. Edison base (screw) - the most reliable and common. It provides excellent contact and fits all household lamps and chandeliers, as it is standardized. This is the best solution in terms of price / quality ratio.

Something about lampholders

The most common socket for electric lamps is E27. It is used for incandescent, LED and sometimes halogen lamps. In second place is E14, which differs from the one described above in a smaller diameter and thread. Usually low-power lamps are placed on it. Ceramics and special plastics are used as materials for manufacturing. The latter is less preferable, because due to high temperatures it can collapse, release dangerous gases and serve as a source of ignition. In Soviet times, the same types were used, but they were somewhat better. In any case, for normal operation, it is not recommended to install more powerful lamps than expected, as this will lead to the destruction of the cartridge.

More about lamps

We have already discussed with you the main types of light bulbs and types of socles. I would like to note that it is not recommended to buy non-standard lamps. This is due to the fact that it is problematic to install them in the cartridge. Moreover, they can fail, and it is difficult to find a replacement for them, and even more difficult to find a suitable cartridge. You need to understand that all types of category H car bulbs, and any other, are not used in everyday life, but they can be installed in the garage for additional lighting, etc.

Conclusion

Here we have considered the most interesting with you. Now you know what types of halogen bulbs, incandescent, fluorescent and others are. You need to understand that sometimes it is advisable to use one, and in other cases - the other. So, often many species are not used as the main lighting. They are suitable for illuminating dark places, etc. Nevertheless, some models are quite powerful and act as not only alternative, but also the main lighting. In principle, this is all that can be said about modern lamps, socles and cartridges for them.

Choosing a lamp for a lamp, many of us are increasingly thinking about their properties and differences, trying to get the best option that can last as long as possible. In the past, we have already talked about the plinths and the points that are important when installing them. This time we will talk about lamps in general. Technological progress does not stand still, every year more and more new types appear with their own manufacturing features, which gives them the opportunity to work even longer.

One of the main criteria for selection is power. Its indicator directly affects the energy consumption. It is very important to use lamps in lamps no higher than the power indicated in the accompanying documents. For example, the max 40W limit means that you can put lamps up to and including 40 watts in the socket. It is impossible to put more powerful lamps than indicated, because. this may lead to short circuit and melting of the ceiling. In lamps different type power will not be the same. A 5W energy-saving lamp will match a 60W incandescent lamp.

Light output shows brightness - how many lumens of light a lamp gives at 1W of power. Energy-saving lamps are more economical due to the fact that their indicator is several times higher than that of conventional incandescent lamps. This allows you to put in the lamp less powerful lamp, which can shine no worse than its counterparts at 40W or 60W, saving electricity.

The light emitted by the lamp can be warm, cold or neutral. Warm light - the one to which we are accustomed, it gives an incandescent lamp. It can distort the color of the lampshade or ceiling, which will make it look different than when turned off. Therefore, if this criterion is important, it is recommended to select lamps with neutral light, which will help prevent color distortion.

Incandescent lamp. This is the most famous and recognizable type of electric lamp, which can be found in almost any home to this day. An incandescent body is inserted into an external glass flask, from which air has been previously evacuated and some chemically inert gas has been pumped in, which begins to glow brightly when an electric current passes through it. The most commonly used filament is a tungsten coil, known for its refractoriness, or carbon filament. The evacuation of air from the flask is necessary in order to exclude the oxidation of the heating body upon contact with it. The service life of an incandescent lamp is about 1000 hours.

Incandescent lamps vary in appearance and shape. The bulb glass can be clear or frosted for softer light diffusion. In addition to the standard, so-called pear-shaped, lamps can also be in the form of a candle, which looks good in decorative lighting. A separate modification of this model is a "candle in the wind" with a curved glass top resembling a wavering candle flame. Mirror lamps emit directional light, which will help to effectively illuminate art objects and trading floors. Depending on the shape of the bulb, the beams of light can be distributed directionally or fairly widely.

LED (LED) lamp. It features low power consumption, becoming the most economical light source today. The versatility of their application makes given type suitable not only for domestic, but also street and industrial lighting. This is one of the most environmentally friendly light sources, the principle of which is based on the emission of light from LEDs interconnected by a microcircuit. The LED converts the electric current supplied to it into light, and in only one direction. LED lamp do not emit low-frequency pulsations harmful to the eyes, are known for stable operation, fire safety and compact size. Their service life is about 50,000 hours.

Energy saving lamp. As the name implies, its main advantage is the ability to save electricity. The design includes a special tube, which, when heated, begins to glow. Spiral and U-shaped lamps have high light intensity at small dimensions. AR111 reflector lamps are suitable for general and spot lighting and are available in two light temperatures: "60W incandescent" and "morning and afternoon sun". Variations with MR11 and MR16 with reflector are suitable for point directional lighting. Life time energy saving lamps is up to 12000-15000 hours.

Fluorescent Lamp. It is a sealed tube with mercury vapor, in which an electric discharge creates ultraviolet radiation, it is converted into light visible to humans using a phosphor on the walls of the flask. These lamps are widely used in shops, schools, hospitals and other public buildings. In addition to a straight tube, the design can be made in the form of a ring or the letter U. Particular attention should be paid to bird owners when choosing a fluorescent lamp. The harsh ultraviolet radiation emitted by some types of lamps adversely affects the eyesight of birds due to too frequent blinking, so for them it is necessary to choose lamps with a color coefficient of Ra 90 or higher, and the color temperature should be in the range of 5000-6000K. The service life of fluorescent lamps is 5000-1000 hours and may decrease with the frequency of switching on.

Metal halide lamp. The burner of such a lamp is filled with an inert gas, mercury and halogen salts. Light emission occurs during the passage of a chemical reaction between all components. A wide range of shapes and sockets make these lamps increasingly popular in both home and commercial lighting, and their consistent high brightness ensures excellent color reproduction throughout their lifetime. In most cases, metal halide lamps cannot be used without a covered luminaire due to their UV radiation, but some models have a built-in UV filter. The service life is up to 15000 hours.

Gas-discharge sodium lamp. The source of light in these lamps is a gas discharge in sodium vapor, due to which the light turns out to be a bright yellow-orange hue. Because of this feature, these lamps are mainly used for street, architectural and utility lighting. They are ignited using a ballast in 3-4 minutes. Sodium lamps are widely known among gardeners, because. make it possible to replace sunlight for plants in greenhouses and greenhouses, and the possibility of arbitrary placement in space expands the possibilities of their application in a variety of industries. The service life is over 25,000 hours.

Gas-discharge mercury lamp. To create radiation, they use a gas discharge passing through mercury vapor. They are designed to illuminate large areas, such as streets, stadiums, production halls, and are added to the overall electrical circuit through the starter. It takes about 7 minutes from the moment it is turned on until the lamp is fully lit, this is due to the need to heat up the mercury, which is cold condensed from the inside on the walls of the flask. The lamp will begin to shine as brightly as possible, as soon as all the mercury passes into a gaseous state. The service life is about 15000 hours.

To answer the question of which light bulbs are best for the home, you need to consider the advantages and disadvantages of all light sources suitable for residential use, and then spend comparative analysis according to the most important parameters.

The winner will be a practical, safe for humans, durable device that provides the highest quality light output with economical energy consumption.

Lamps suitable for the home are primarily classified according to their light emitting technology.

The most relevant among them are:

  • classic incandescent bulbs;
  • luminescent products;
  • halogen appliances;
  • LED devices.

Each of the positions has specific technical characteristics and a different level of efficiency in the same operating conditions.

The choice of the best device directly depends on the requirements for a particular lighting system.

Features of Edison bulbs

The traditional incandescent light bulb is a classic that has been used to organize home lighting systems for over a century.

General description of the product

It creates pleasant radiation in shades of warm colors and does not irritate the eyes even with a long glow. It has a low level of efficiency, since it gets very hot during operation and spends about 97% of the energy resource on it.

The flask consists of heat-resistant glass with a high level of transparency and passes through maximum amount generated light energy

It consumes a lot of energy to illuminate a standard living space and is considered uneconomical compared to more advanced light sources.

The service life is about 1,000 hours and directly depends on the correct operating conditions of the device. More than affordable price attracts buyers, and they often prefer this particular light source only because it is cheaper than others.

Despite the disadvantages, incandescent appliances can be used where the light turns on often, but not for long. More economical units often do not withstand constant on / off, and Edison bulbs endure this quite calmly.

However, the benefit here is false. You have to change incandescent lamps with enviable regularity, and electricity bills “eat up” literally within a month what you managed to save at the time of the initial purchase.

Design and principle of operation

The upper part of incandescent lamps is a pear-shaped sealed flask made of heat-resistant transparent glass. Partially, air was pumped out of it and replaced with an inert gas. It is because of this that the working tungsten filament does not burn out during the heating process.

Two electrodes and molybdenum holders are attached to the leg located inside. They fix the heating body, preventing it from sagging and tearing under its own weight during heating.

The narrowed part of the flask is mounted in the body of a metal base, designed to be screwed into a plug cartridge. A spiral thread is a contact with an electrode soldered to it.

Light bulbs "Ilyich" are mainly equipped with a classic screw base. The most widely used sizes are E14, E27 and E40. They are most often used for residential lighting.

The second contact is located at the bottom of the base and is equipped with ring insulation around the circumference, preventing it from coming into contact with the body of the base.

Incandescent light bulbs are very cheap to make. Manufacturers have the ability to make modules of any power under the mains voltage from a few volts to several kilowatts

Products perform well in a wide temperature range from extremely high to low levels and do not need accompanying triggers for activation. They function correctly with current flows of any polarity, do not create radio interference and are subject to trouble-free disposal due to the absence of toxic substances in the composition.

The first place among the negative factors is occupied by the lowest efficiency. For a hundred-watt light bulb, this figure is only 15%, and for a sixty-watt bulb, this figure is no more than 5%.

Only an increase in the heating temperature can increase the numbers, however, in this case, the service life of the tungsten element is reduced significantly and the expediency of the procedure is lost. Short operating period, vulnerability to vibration, shaking and mechanical damage also do not increase attractiveness.

If the mains voltage drops below standard levels, the service life of the incandescent modules is significantly reduced

Incandescent lamps do not belong to economical light sources. They “eat up” the largest amount of power supply at the time of launch. Then consumption decreases by 5-10 times, but still significantly exceeds the performance of other lighting products.

What are luminescents

A fluorescent lamp is a gas-discharge artificial radiation source suitable for residential lighting. It demonstrates good efficiency and exceeds the capabilities of classic incandescent devices in terms of light output.

The first luminescents had the form of an elongated, sealed on both sides, cylindrical tube with mercury vapor. Now manufacturers are producing lamps of more original shapes.

They are divided into high and low pressure devices. The former are used for street lighting, and the latter are intended for residential premises. The service life declared by the manufacturer is 5 years, provided that the number of inclusions per day does not exceed 5 times.

The range of glow in luminescents is incredibly wide and includes all shades of white in the range from the coldest to natural and warm.

The device and the nuances of functioning. Structurally, depending on the version, it consists of a tube or a flask with one or two plinths located at the edges.

Filled with mercury vapours. After activation, a glow discharge appears between the electrodes in the flask and ultraviolet radiation is generated in the mercury environment. The phosphor coating located inside converts it into saturated light radiation, perceived by the human eye.

The luminescent type module, connected to the power system via an electronic ballast, practically does not buzz during operation and does not flicker

Reduce the values ​​​​of the base current flow to the correct values ​​\u200b\u200bor electromagnetic or electronic ballasts. Without these additional elements full operation of the lamps is impossible.

Advantages of modules. The list of advantages of luminescents includes the following characteristics:

  • effective light output;
  • more high level efficiency;
  • operational stability;
  • good power and light flux density;
  • an extensive spectrum of glow in warm and cold ranges;
  • service life of about 5 years, subject to the necessary conditions.

Reasonable energy consumption, 5 times less than that of incandescent lamps, makes it possible to attribute luminescent products to the number of economical sources of radiation. They make it possible to provide high-quality coverage of large-sized premises without overpaying utility bills.

During operation, the bulb element of the luminescent is heated to a temperature of no more than 50 degrees. Thanks to this point, the lamps are allowed for use in living rooms, where fire safety is especially important.

Disadvantages of devices. Among the negative qualities of products, more complex scheme inclusion, providing for the presence of starting elements. As well as a limited 150 W unit power and a noticeable decrease in the saturation of the light flux at the end of the operational period.

Ballasts, without which the fluorescent lamp is not able to function, provoke a significant loss of energy, amounting to 25-35% of the power of the light source

In addition, the devices react to a decrease in temperature and, if the temperature is too low, they go out and do not turn on. During operation, they emit specific acoustic interference and pulsate, having a negative effect on the eyes of those present in the room, and when falling mains voltage 10 percent or more of the nominal value cease to ignite.

Correct disposal is carried out by specially authorized enterprises, but the lamps are accepted there on certain days and the user has to guess the time in order to get rid of the fluorescents that have worked out their due date.

What is interesting about halogens?

The halogen lamp is a modern, more progressive variation of the traditional incandescent lamp. Filled with buffer gas vapors. Due to this, the operating temperature of the spiral element and the service life of the lighting product are increased.

Halogens have the highest color rendering. This indicator is 99-100%, which is an absolute record among light sources.

The devices are presented in various standard configurations and can be built into lamps of the most unusual modifications, into furniture elements and into systems that create.

Distinctive features of lamps. Halogens provide the room with bright, rich and dense light throughout the entire period of operation. Due to their compact dimensions, they can be mounted in very small lamps or built into fragments of the interior.

Despite their modest dimensions, they have a uniquely high light output and, with equal power, give much more light than conventional incandescent modules.

Halogen light sources show the highest level of efficiency in small flasks. Some manufacturers even produce lamps already equipped with such a lamp.

The main disadvantage is the vulnerability to mechanical damage and frequent on / off. Both of these parameters significantly reduce the life of the lamps and contribute to their rapid failure.

The conditional operating period, according to manufacturers, is 2000-4000 hours, which significantly exceeds the capabilities of incandescent modules. However, they cannot compete with LEDs; against their background, they look more attractive only in the context of a low price.

Unique specifics of LED models

Light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are the most advanced light source available for use in home lighting systems. Inside it contains one or more diodes, which generate rich, full-fledged light.

LED lamps are made from absolutely safe materials. The composition does not contain any toxic substances, so the products are suitable for installation in any premises of a residential building, including children's rooms.

Working diode elements rarely burn out. Thanks to this, the ice modules are not sensitive to regular on / off and serve reliably for many years.

Benefits of LED light bulbs. The list of positive qualities is very long. The lamps are absolutely non-toxic and completely safe for the health of both children and adults. They do not need specific, complex disposal.

With minimal consumption, they provide a bright, saturated light flux, do not create harmful ultraviolet radiation and do not provoke fading of furniture, interior elements and decor items.

Lamps on diodes have a high structural strength and are not afraid of falls or bumps. They give a pleasant light without blinking.

Even if there is a voltage drop in the network, LEDs, unlike other radiation sources, will not feel this and will not work worse. Their design and configuration allow them to function correctly in the range of 180-260 W

Halogens consume little energy, but are vulnerable to moisture and, being in such aggressive conditions, fail after a short time. Luminescents are not suitable due to the noise emitted during operation, the presence of toxic substances in the composition and the not too pleasant color spectrum, more appropriate for the working environment.

The most successful solution in this case is. They provide good light output. right level intensity, do not heat up and do not consume excess energy.

Due to the variety of socles, they can be built into the lamp of any, even the most unexpected configuration, without violating the stylistic design of the bath room.

How to light living rooms?

It is impossible to say exactly which light bulbs are 100% better for the home. For the arrangement of a high-quality lighting system in residential premises, they must be selected carefully and carefully.

Many customers primarily focus on the efficiency of light sources, and rightly so, because electricity bills, which regularly rise in price, have to be paid monthly.

The most economical are LED bulbs, and the most voracious are incandescent bulbs. Halogens and luminescents occupy middle positions and eat up not as little resource as the former, but not as much as the latter.

The longest service life is demonstrated by LED models. They, subject to operational standards, can work from 25,000 hours or more.

Not less than important parameter when choosing is efficiency. It determines how light the room will be and is usually measured in lumens. The indicator is placed on the packaging of the lamp and is visible to the consumer even before purchase. The higher the numbers, the better the selected lamp will illuminate the room.

According to this criterion, LEDs are seriously ahead of the rest of the clan of lighting devices. They, with the same consumption of electricity, supply 10 times more powerful stream of light than Edison bulbs.

The efficiency of diode products is at least 90%. Both halogens and fluorescents show lower rates, and for incandescent lamps they do not exceed 5-10%, depending on the power.

To create lighting in a room equal to the effect of a 100-watt incandescent lamp, it is enough to screw in a 10-12 W LED module

The base that the lamp is equipped with also plays a significant role. For household use, they mainly use: pin or screw.

The former have 3 most common types, differing in size:

  • E14 - minion - inserted into narrow cartridges;
  • E27 - classic - can be mounted in standard modules;
  • E40 - maxi - intended for large-sized devices.

All light sources with threaded bases are suitable for sconces, chandeliers and other similar products of any configuration. Experts do not recommend installing LEDs in closed fixtures.

Pins are somewhat less common and are mainly used in modern-type lighting designs, both in and out.

Size and appearance the source of radiation is also of great importance. No one wants a lamp sticking out of a spectacular sconce or a beautiful ceiling lamp, of inappropriate dimensions. The widest choice of interpretations and forms is demonstrated by LEDs.

In their product line you can find:

  • miniature models that are conveniently built into a furniture element or into a stretch ceiling;
  • standard products of the usual configuration, suitable not only for a modern lamp, but also for an old-style chandelier;
  • products of a specific shape, not only giving light, but also carrying a design load.

All other sources of radiation cannot boast of such a variety.

Not in the last place is the primary cost of products. Classical incandescent lamps are leading here. Their price is minimal and, thanks to this factor, they are still in demand among buyers. In the middle price range are fluorescents and halogens.

One lamp should always contain lamps of the same type, only then it will be able to work correctly for a long time, illuminating the room with high quality

LEDs are much more expensive and sometimes the price scares off potential buyers. But if you think well, it becomes clear that the costs justify themselves in all respects. You can literally choose any option.

After installing the diodes, all rooms of the house receive excellent, eye-friendly lighting. Utility bills are dropping and running to the store after work to buy a light bulb to replace another burnt one does not take very long.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

What type of lighting do you prefer? Share personally your criteria in choosing light sources for arranging your own home / apartment / office. Please leave comments in the block below, ask questions on interesting or unclear points, post photos on the topic of the article.

Light is the basis of life. Because thanks to it, photosynthesis exists - the basic process of the appearance of organic matter. In people's lives, light is also very important. But day turns to night. And in order to effectively overcome this pattern, the electric lamp was invented. Over time, various types of electric lamps have firmly entered our lives.

The first electric light bulbs

The first lighting lamps appeared at the end of the nineteenth century. The resistance of the metal was used to produce light. These incandescent lamps, whose name is associated with the principle of operation, function as follows.

In them, an electric current heats the metal to a high temperature. As the temperature increases, the metal first acquires a dark red color, but with further growth it turns yellow, and then turns white. At the same time, there is more and more visible light. To obtain the highest possible temperature and the greatest amount of light, incandescent lamps are equipped with a flask from which air is pumped out.

For light bulb applications, the most efficient form of metal conductor is the helix. It allows you to reduce the space occupied by the conductor. But in order to reach the highest temperature, it is necessary special properties metal. It should be as refractory as possible. For this reason, the filaments of incandescent lamps are made of tungsten.

Despite the fact that more than a hundred years have passed since the appearance of the first light bulb and new varieties of lamps have appeared, the principle of obtaining light by simply heating a tungsten filament is still in demand.

Modern lamps, operating on the principle of incandescent spirals, are very diverse in size and power. Their main advantage is the minimum cost based on simple device. When you turn on these bulbs, the maximum illumination of the space is immediately achieved. They can operate over a wide temperature range. For these reasons, incandescent bulbs are the main lighting fixtures in emergency lighting systems. Despite the variety of shapes and sizes, they are all arranged in the same way.

The principle of light emission by a hot tungsten filament has been improved, embodied in halogen bulbs. While a conventional light bulb has a limited life due to tungsten evaporation, this disadvantage is eliminated in halogen bulbs through the use of halogen reducing compounds. They made it possible to increase the temperature of the spiral and, accordingly, the brightness of the light bulb. At the same time, its resource has also grown.

But heating and the heat associated with it, in in large numbers emitted by the incandescent spiral also increased. In order to obtain a greater luminous flux from a light bulb at a lower temperature and electrical energy consumption, it is necessary to change the principle of creating light.


Fluorescent lamps

Light in the form of luminescence was discovered at the end of the nineteenth century. Then they discovered that a weak electric current in a rarefied gas with a pressure of less than 100 Pa causes it to glow. This phenomenon was called a glow discharge.

Moreover, the composition of light for each gas is different. A very slight glow was observed in mercury vapor. This effect occurs because the radiation is strongest in the ultraviolet spectrum. Its energy is great and noticeably affects various substances. Some of them emit visible light when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. These substances are called phosphors.

It became possible to create new types of lighting lamps - fluorescent bulbs. Their production began in 1938 and continues to this day. Conventional fluorescent lamps look like long glass tubes. white color. They have become part of the ceiling design of many offices and industrial spaces.

The tubular flask is coated on the inside with a white phosphor powder. In order for a fluorescent light bulb to function properly, it is necessary to limit the current through it. For this purpose, the so-called ballast in the form of a choke or inverter is used.


Modern types of lamps are more often supplied with inverter ballasts. They significantly improve the basic characteristics of the lamps. Together with powerful high voltage transistors new types of lighting lamps appeared - energy-saving light bulbs. In them, the tubular flask is curved into a compact design that reduces maximum dimensions to the minimum. To get acquainted with what energy-saving light bulbs are on the market, the image below is proposed.



Discharge lamps

Brightness and power consumption - two the most important characteristics lighting lamps. They determine the search for technical solutions in order to create new types of lighting lamps with the best parameters. The principle of creating light in fluorescent lamp requires a large phosphor surface to increase the luminous flux. It is sufficient for use in household and office premises. But as a powerful compact light source is not suitable. For this reason, the high-pressure discharge lamp was invented.

In it, a glow discharge occurs only immediately after switching on. Then the pressure inside the bulb increases simultaneously with the increase in the current in the lamp. The arc arising in the gas is a source of powerful radiation. This radiation is used in different ways depending on the composition of the gas. Discharge in mercury vapor at a high pressure of about 100 kPa produces a lot of both visible light and ultraviolet radiation.

But visible light has a tinge of blue. People and objects in such lighting look unpleasant. To correct color rendering, the light source - a quartz glass burner - is surrounded by a flask coated with a phosphor. It turns out a lamp called DRL - arc mercury fluorescent. These lamps are widely used for street lighting.


But a bulb with a phosphor increases the cost of the light source. The conversion of ultraviolet to visible light using a phosphor tends to deteriorate over time. Quartz glass becomes cloudy from crumbling phosphor. Color rendition even with a phosphor leaves much to be desired. For these reasons, DRLs were replaced in street lighting by sodium lamps. They are functionally the same. But instead of mercury vapor, sodium vapor is used.

The flask is transparent, and the burner is made of special materials, more refractory than quartz glass. Light covers the yellow colors of the spectrum, which are best perceived by human vision. Therefore, sodium lamps look brighter than DRLs of the same power.

They are widely used as the most modern and durable light sources not only for street lighting, but also in agriculture for greenhouses and premises of poultry and livestock complexes. But the main limitation of the use of sodium lamps is their incorrect color rendering due to the narrow emission spectrum.


Among gas-discharge lamps, ultra-high pressure mercury lamps and xenon lamps have the most correct color rendering. DRSh lamp - arc mercury spherical - is a burner of a special form made of quartz glass. The shape in the form of a ball gives the flask the greatest strength. This is necessary because of the pressure inside the flask, which can be more than 1 MPa. Due to the high pressure and temperature, mercury vapor emits a wider spectrum. But at the same time, the lamp is explosive, and there is a lot of ultraviolet radiation in its spectrum.


A significant disadvantage of DRL, DRSh and high-pressure sodium lamps is the use of metal to produce vapors. For this reason, the lamps take a long time to start, and after extinguishing they cannot immediately light up due to the high pressure in the bulb. To light a lamp, a special ballast is needed.

Of the gas-discharge lamps, which have become widespread in connection with the development of semiconductor devices, xenon lamps stand out as sources closest to natural light. They are used in flashlights, car headlights, movie theater projectors, and high-power lighting fixtures. Among them there are also models of high and ultra-high pressure. These are the most powerful modern sources of high-quality light.



A real revolution in the lighting market occurred after the advent of blue and ultraviolet LEDs. It became possible to use LED lighting and make light bulbs for these purposes. Today they are the most efficient light sources for household lamps. Their design is based on the use of individual luminous crystals. Moreover, the crystal itself emits a blue spectrum, including ultraviolet. And visible white light with a particular shade creates a phosphor. Exactly the same as in a fluorescent lamp.

LED light bulbs

An LED always emits light in one direction. This feature is determined by its location on the substrate. The directivity of light in LED bulbs depends on the geometry of the location of the light emitters. With this in mind, you need to choose a light bulb for a lamp or chandelier. Newer design varieties are filament light bulbs. They mimic incandescent bulbs and create light that is most evenly directed in all directions.

They use microcircuits in the form of threads. The filament is actually a narrow sapphire tape-substrate. Crystals and resistors are formed on it by analogy with led strip. These bulbs are ideal for a variety of luminaires with a design adapted to incandescent bulbs. Nourishes led light bulb electronic ballast, similar to that used in an energy-saving light bulb.


To compare different types light bulbs according to the main characteristics, the following table and illustration are given. They clearly show the advantages of LED lamps. Despite the higher price, these light sources pay off in full.


Table of main characteristics various kinds lamps

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