12 Volt halogen lamps: review, characteristics + review of leading manufacturers
Once indispensable, incandescent lamps are becoming a thing of the past. They were replaced by other, improved light sources.They are more economical, easy to use and durable. Among them are halogen lamps, which can be considered direct “descendants” of incandescent devices.
There are several types of such lighting equipment. Low-voltage 12-volt halogen lamps are in great demand. We will talk about their structure, varieties and scope of application in this material. We will also consider the best manufacturers supplying 12 V light bulbs to the lighting market.
The content of the article:
How does a halogen light work?
The structure of a halogen lamp is comparable to the design incandescent lamps. There is also a bulb here, inside it there is an incandescent filament. All this is placed on the plinth. The main difference is the composition of the gas filling the flask. A significant disadvantage of the incandescent lamp is its fragility and increased energy intensity. This is explained quite simply.
To increase the intensity of the luminous flux, it is necessary to increase the temperature of the incandescent body. Which in turn increases energy consumption. When heated, the tungsten from which the filament is made begins to evaporate.
The atoms settle on the inside of the flask. As a result, over time, the amount of light produced by the lamp invariably decreases.The higher the operating temperature of the incandescent lamp, the faster this process proceeds.
Halogen lamps are free from these disadvantages due to the fact that inside the bulb there is a so-called halogen additive. Bromine or iodine is added to the gas filling. The filament for such lamps is made from special grades of tungsten and has a spiral shape. When heated, tungsten begins to evaporate and combines with the volatile halogens present inside the flask.
As a result, tungsten halides are formed, which do not settle on the walls of the shell. They return to the filament, where they decompose into tungsten and halogens, after which the cycle repeats.
Thus, during operation, the bulb remains transparent, and the spiral does not burn out, which significantly extends the operation of halogen lamps.
The bulbs of small devices can be filled with xenon, which significantly increases the light output and brightness of the lamp.
This kind of lighting technology is in demand among consumers. We talk about the types of halogen lamps and choosing the best option. talked here.
Low voltage halogen lamps
All halogen-type light bulbs can be divided into two large groups: high and low voltage. The former operate from a mains voltage of 220 V, the latter can only function in the presence of a lower voltage.
This gives them a number of advantages:
- Long service life up to 5000 hours.
- Excellent color rendition and high quality light.
- Small sizes.
- Consistently high light brightness.
- Increased strength due to quartz shell.
- Cost-effectiveness, which is achieved by good luminous efficiency.
However, such lamps have some features, many tend to consider them disadvantages. First of all, they can only work with low voltage 12 V, but there are other varieties for 6 V and 24 V. In order to connect such a lamp to the network, you must use a step-down transformer. The latter must be chosen correctly, otherwise the light sources will not be able to function normally.
The transformer can be electromagnetic or electronic. The second type is compact and at the same time has high performance characteristics. Most often, transformers must be installed hidden. This happens when arranging lighting on the ceiling or inside furniture. In this case, you need to remember that during operation the device generates heat, so you need to leave enough free volume to dissipate it.
In addition, a low operating voltage implies a significant increase in the current passing through the wires. It can be 18 times greater than what occurs at the same voltage in a 220 V network. This requires competent calculation of the cross-section and length of the wires used and high quality of their contacts.
Even small errors in calculations will lead to a significant decrease in the brightness of the lamps. All these features significantly complicate the installation process of 12 V halogen lamps. However, competent calculation and correct installation guarantee their trouble-free operation.
The devices also have undeniable disadvantages. These include a large amount of heat generated during operation, which, among other things, significantly reduces the efficiency of the device.
In addition, it is not advisable to touch the lamp body with your hands. Even small contaminations cause a redistribution of temperature inside the bulb, which leads to its blackening and subsequent failure of the lamp.
Types of low voltage halogen light sources
Low voltage halogens are widely used. They are used for arranging various types of lighting, in lamps with special bases, car headlights, etc. There are mainly two types of such lamps.
Directional light devices
These are lamps equipped with a reflector or reflector. Thanks to this, the light rays emitted by the device are redistributed and directed to a certain area of space.
The design consists of a miniature halogen lamp installed in the center of the reflector. The latter can be made of various materials, which determines the performance characteristics of the product.
Most often, mirror reflectors are made of aluminum or other metals. Their feature is the direction of the heat generated during operation of the device along with the light rays forward. If for some reason this is undesirable, a device with an interference reflector is used. The so-called cold light bulb.
The reflector of such a device is made of glass with a very thin metal film applied to it. The coating reflects only waves of a certain length, due to which light visible to the eye is reflected in a given direction, and thermal or infrared radiation is scattered.
Such lamps have another feature - the reflector transmits a certain amount of light rays, giving them different shades of color.
This phenomenon is advantageously played up by designers in lamps of various types. Despite the name of the interference reflector lamp, it would be a mistake to think that their operation does not generate heat. Just like devices with a mirror reflector, they emit heat in an amount of about 90% of the device’s power.
Due to the properties of the material from which the reflector is made, it is evenly dispersed around the lamp. That is, the temperature around the operating device is still increased. For this reason, even “cold light” devices can only be installed with certain restrictions regarding fire safety.
There is another type of reflector devices - IRC lamps. They have a special coating that can reflect infrared radiation.It seems to “lock” the IR rays inside the flask, directing them back to the spiral.
In this way, it is possible to increase the temperature of the filament with less energy consumption. IRC lamps are characterized by an extended service life. In addition, they have lower power consumption.
Devices with a reflector can be produced with or without special protective glass. In the latter case, they are used only in closed-type luminaires.
Protective glass can be transparent, frosted or colored. This makes it possible to arrange any decorative lighting. Almost all protective glasses block ultraviolet and hard infrared radiation, which are not useful for humans.
Lamps with reflectors are divided according to light distribution.
Depending on the direction of the rays there are:
- narrow light beam from 8 to 12°;
- average from 18 to 24°;
- wide beam of light rays from 36 to 60° or more.
You can often find letter markings.
- SSP or NSP ultra-narrow beam designation up to 8°;
- SP narrow 8-12°;
- FL average 24-30°;
- W.F.L. wide 36-38°%
- VWFL very wide over 60°.
Light distribution is a very important indicator that characterizes the ability of a lamp to create certain types of lighting.
For example, devices with a wide light beam are ideal for overhead lighting, while devices with a narrow beam are ideal for illumination from a relatively large distance or for creating bright spots of light.
Capsule or finger devices
Their main distinguishing feature is their compact size and high power from 5 to 100 W.Capsule halogen bulbs 12 in low power of 5 and 10 W have proven themselves well in decorative lighting. This creates bright points of light or spots. More powerful devices are used as light sources for all kinds of lamps, including suspended ceilings.
In addition, capsule lamps are placed in small spotlights for indoor lighting or spots, as professionals call them.
There are two types of finger-type devices, differing in the direction of the filament. It can be horizontal or axial. Depending on this, the amount of light emitted by the device changes slightly. For ordinary lamps this is not significant, but for spots it is very important.
The light distribution of spotlights is noticeably disrupted if there is an error in choosing a lamp. It must be admitted that it is optimal to use capsule lamps without reflectors.
Making spots is quite labor-intensive and requires careful focusing and adjustment of the lamp. It is much easier to purchase a device with a reflector, which is essentially a factory-made spot.
The bulb of capsule lamps can be coated on the inside with a special composition that reflects infrared waves. The result is an IRC device that has a longer service life and consumes less power. The quartz glass from which the lamp shell is made may have UV protection. This must be indicated on the product labeling.
Both types of low-voltage halogen lamps, reflector and capsule, are equipped with special plinths pin type. They come in several types and are provided with alphanumeric markings. The numbers indicate the distance between the two pins, which is expressed in millimeters.
Review of the best halogen lamp manufacturers
The performance characteristics of halogen lamps, including brightness and durability, are largely determined by the quality of the products, which, in turn, depends on the manufacturer. For this reason, experts recommend choosing products from well-established companies. These brands can easily be included among them.
Place #1 - German company Osram
The history of the German company began more than a hundred years ago, when in 1906 the first Osram brand products appeared on the market. These were incandescent lamps.
A little later, the manufacturer merges with several companies involved in the production of lighting devices. Today the brand specializes in the development, production and sale of a variety of lighting products.
The company's product range includes a large number of lighting devices for various purposes. This is automotive equipment energy saving household lamps, projection devices, display optics, sensors, light control systems, UV devices for water disinfection.
The brand pays attention to the development of new technologies designed to best meet user needs.
Osram production facilities are located in 17 countries. These are 46 large enterprises equipped with the most modern equipment. Millions of lighting devices are produced here, which are then sold in more than 150 countries around the world.
Before sale, each of the lamps manufactured here undergoes testing, consisting of 28 tests, where its tightness, strength, manufacturing accuracy, etc. are checked.
Users are confident in Osram products and consider them a good choice. It has been proven that the products of this brand last several times longer than similar products from other manufacturers. The company invests a significant portion of its profits in engineering developments, which allows it to become the author of new trends in the field of lighting technology.
Place #2 - Dutch brand Philips
The company released its first products more than 125 years ago, almost immediately after Edison patented his invention. Initially, it produced only incandescent lamps, but over time its range expanded.
Today the brand is one of the world leaders in the production of lighting equipment with an extremely wide range of products.
Phillips originated in the Netherlands and is still headquartered there. While production facilities are scattered around the world.
Most of the company's factories are in China and European countries. These are assembly plants with technological cycles finely tuned by Dutch engineers. Product quality is monitored at every stage of production.
The brand is considered one of the founders LED lighting, it was here that the first LEDs were developed and put into production.
Today the company is passionate about the idea of bringing lighting to the digital level. It holds leading positions in the development and production smart lamps and lamps, as well as lighting control systems.
The company produces multifunctional devices that can not only illuminate, but also collect, store and transmit information. They install well into the system Smart home. A distinctive feature of Philips is the highest quality of products, their thoughtful functionality and durability.
The first products under the brand name entered the market quite recently, in 2006. This was an attempt to create its own production by the Battery Team company, which had previously been engaged in the sale of lighting products.
The attempt was successful; today products under the Navigator brand are well known not only in Russia, but also in other countries. The company's product range is wide and is constantly updated with new products.
The brand produces various lamps, lamps for household and industrial use, extension cords, flashlights, various batteries, spotlights and much more.
The company's production facilities are located in the city of Klin. The technological cycle involves the production of high quality products, which are carefully monitored at all production stages.
All Navigator brand products have an extended warranty. In particular, for lamps it is two years.The manufacturer deliberately keeps the price of its products in the middle segment, which makes it very affordable. At the same time, the quality remains quite high. Thanks to this brand, it is possible to successfully compete with very well-known brands.
Place #4 - Hong Kong brand Camelion
The history of the Hong Kong company began in 1962 with the production of various power supplies. Gradually, the range was replenished with electrical products and today Kamelion can be considered one of the leaders in the production of lighting equipment.
The company produces lamps of various types, lamps for various purposes, spotlights, lanterns and much more.
The production of lighting products began with one plant, today there are already more than ten. Each one is equipped with modern production lines, which allows us to produce high quality products.
Before being sent to consumers, Kamelion products undergo thorough testing, which makes it possible to immediately identify and eliminate manufacturing defects. At the same time, the company keeps prices for its products affordable for most customers.
The brand closely monitors all innovations in the field of lighting technology and implements them into production. Digital “smart” equipment is gradually appearing in its assortment. In addition, the production of light control systems has begun, which make it possible to create a wide variety of lighting schemes.
The company confidently occupies its niche in the middle price segment, producing products of fairly high quality at quite reasonable prices.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
Video about the principles of operation and advantages of halogens:
Why low-voltage halogens need a transformer:
What you need to know about using a halogen lamp:
Low-voltage halogen lamps are a practical solution for illuminating the ceiling, furniture or part of the room. They are distinguished by a pleasant color of light output and high brightness. At the same time, they last quite a long time, especially if used properly..
Manufacturers offer many varieties of such lamps, which makes it possible to create any, even the most complex lighting systems to your liking.
Do you use 12 volt halogens? Share your experience with newcomers - tell us, which manufacturer’s products do you prefer? Add unique photos of your light bulbs below this article.
If you still have questions about the topic of the material, do not hesitate to ask our experts in the comments block.
