Incandescent lamps: types, technical characteristics, how to choose correctly

Despite a whole list of shortcomings identified when compared with other artificial light sources, incandescent lamps remain in demand both in the domestic sphere and in industrial sectors.

Cheap and easy-to-use devices do not want to give up their positions, although a huge number of more economical and “long-lasting” substitutes have appeared on the market - for example, LED lamps.

What is the main secret of their success and why are they still popular? We will consider these questions in our article, turning to the technical characteristics of conventional light bulbs and their main types. We will also consider the advantages and disadvantages and provide recommendations for choosing a traditional light bulb.

The device of a lamp with a filament

Until recently, incandescent lamps (Il) were used everywhere and now they are still being bought - they can work both “at full strength”, brightly illuminating the room, and reduce the brightness using dimmer. Due to the prevalence of traditional light bulbs among the population, many are familiar with their design features.

Moreover, we often had to “get acquainted” because the light source failed: the tungsten filament burned out, the glass burst, or the bulb flew out of the base.

Some manufacturers used more reliable and proven materials and treated the production of incandescent light bulbs so responsibly that their products have been working for several decades.But this is the exception rather than the rule - today no guarantees are given for a long service life.

Schematic representation of the lamp indicating the main parts. The design of the artificial light source has remained almost unchanged since its invention; only the materials and composition of the gas filling the flask have been improved

The main operating element is the so-called filament body, mounted on holders and connected to the electrodes. When electricity is connected, voltage passes through it, causing both heating and glowing. For the radiation to become visible, the heating temperature must reach 570 °C.

Tungsten is recognized as the most heat-resistant metal. It begins to melt when heated to 3422 °C. To maximize the radiation area, but reduce the volume of the filament inside the glass bulb, it is twisted into a spiral.

The usual comfortable yellow light, which creates coziness in the home and is visually “warm”, occurs when the filament is heated to 2830-2850 °C

To protect tungsten from the oxidation process characteristic of metals, air is pumped out of the flask and replaced with vacuum or gas (krypton, argon, etc.). Vacuum filling technology is outdated; for household lamps, a mixture of nitrogen and argon or krypton is most often used.

As a result of testing, the minimum duration of lamp burning was identified - 1 thousand hours. But, taking into account random reasons that cause devices to fail ahead of time, it is assumed that the standards apply to only 50% of the products from each batch. The operating time of the second half may be longer or shorter, depending on the conditions of use.

Types and features of the use of drugs

The quality characteristics and marking of tungsten light bulbs are regulated GOST R 52712-2007. Based on the type of flask filling, LN devices are divided into vacuum and gas-filled varieties.

The former last less due to the inevitable evaporation of the tungsten filament. In addition, tungsten fumes settle on the glass shell of the vacuum source, which significantly reduces the transparency and ability of the glass to transmit light. They are produced with a monospiral, in the nomenclature designation they are assigned the letter IN.

Gas-filled devices minimize the disadvantages of vacuum bulbs. The gas reduces the evaporation process and prevents tungsten from settling on the walls of the flask. Gas-filled monospiral species are indicated by the letter G, and light bulbs with a double-wound spiral, i.e. double-spiral, marked with a letter B. If the coiled variety has the nomenclature BC, which means krypton was used in its filling.

In GLN halogen light bulbs, bromine or iodine is added to the glass bulb filler, due to which the evaporating tungsten atoms return to the filament after evaporation. Halogen lamps are produced in two formats: in the form of quartz tubes with a long spiral or in a capsule version with a compact working element.

In state standards, the division into groups is based on the scope of application, but other characteristics are also affected. Suppose, at one level, “miniature electrical voltages” are considered (LN pl) and “LN infrared mirror” (ZK - devices with concentrated light distribution, ZD - with average) - as you can see, different criteria were chosen to designate the categories.

There are groups that can be classified as the most popular:

• general purpose;
• for vehicles;
• floodlights;
• miniature, etc.

Let's consider the scope of application and features of various categories, which in some cases may overlap.

A description of the technical requirements for each of the listed categories can be found in the relevant sections of GOST.Due to the design features and scope of application, the marking of devices from different groups differs.

It is easier to select a lamp if you follow the symbols. They reflect important technical characteristics, possible areas of use, design features and manufacturing technologies.

The markings of foreign manufacturers resemble domestic ones, but have their own characteristics. Usually it is worn by stamping on the base and serves as one of the ways to distinguish the original product from a fake

First, letters are indicated in numbers from 1 to 4, which reflect the characteristic design features. For easier decoding, the first letter of the fundamental criterion is taken as a basis, for example, G – gas-filled monospiral lamp, IN – vacuum monospiral, TO – krypton, etc.

This is followed by the destination:

• AND – railway;
• A – automobile;
• CM – aircraft;
• pancreas – for spotlights, etc.

Behind the letters are numbers indicating technical characteristics - voltage (IN) and power (VT). The marking of special types of lamps is different: the power is not indicated, but the current, luminous flux or luminous intensity can be determined. If the device has two spirals, then the power for each of them is indicated separately.

The last digit may indicate the development number if the design has been modified.

Main technical characteristics

The most important parameter of filament light sources is power, determined in watts. The purpose of the lamps is varied, so the range is large - from 0.1 W of indicator “fireflies” to 23 thousand W of spotlights for lighthouses.

Companies General Electric And Osram produce powerful lamps for theatrical and cinematic productions.

Floodlight products differ not only in power value (up to 24000W), but also in luminous flux. An LED floodlight can produce 400,000 lumens, while a special incandescent lamp can produce 800,000 lumens.

In everyday life, low-power devices are used, mainly from 15 W to 150 W, and in the industrial sector they use lamps with a power of up to 1500 W.

The quality of the light flux and the degree of dispersion are regulated by the material used to make the bulb. Maximum light transmission is characteristic of lamps with transparent glass, while the other two types absorb part of the light. For example, frosted glass of a bulb steals 3% of the light flux, and white - 20%.

Often the power of household incandescent lamps is limited by the material of the lamps (lampshades, shades). Manufacturers of chandeliers and sconces usually indicate recommended parameters - usually 40 W, less often 60 W.

Conventional electric lamps strongly heat surrounding objects, unlike, for example, LED or low-power halogen lamps, so they cannot be used for installation in suspended ceilings

In 2011, incandescent lamps were officially recognized as low-efficiency and fire hazardous, so a law was passed to stop the production of 100 W light sources. Next in line is a law banning devices with a power greater than 50 W.

However, the user does not lose anything, since on the modern market there are a huge number of more productive and economical LED lamps and other analogues.

A table showing the operating efficiency of various types of household lamps. Based on the specified technical characteristics, it is clearly visible how incandescent lamps are inferior to alternative options in all respects

Today, many are abandoning the outdated type of lamps due to high energy consumption and short service life. However, there are categories of people who prefer to buy cheap and inefficient sources - thanks to them, the production of incandescent light bulbs continues.

The second important indicator that must be taken into account when purchasing is type of base incandescent lamps, determined by size. Imported and domestic LED lamps have many types of bases, while simple lamps are limited to three.

If you need to replace a light bulb in a chandelier or table lamp, be sure to pay attention to the diameter of the base - E14 or E27. Devices with E40 socket are not used in everyday life

Now manufacturers are required to pack each product in a separate box, so that the technical specifications can be found on it. Usually they indicate power, energy efficiency class (low - E), type of base, transparency of the bulb, service life in hours.

Advantages and disadvantages of incandescent lamps

The consumer continues to purchase uneconomical light bulbs due to a number of advantages, although some of them are very conditional.

According to reviews, they are chosen because of the following qualities:

• low cost;
• lack of ballast control equipment;
• instant ignition after switching on;
• familiar “home” light;
• absence of harmful substances;
• there is no reaction to low temperature and electromagnetic pulses.

However, few people evaluate the quality of the light flux or pulsation; nevertheless, for the majority, the first factor is decisive.

But the disadvantages are much more significant, since they include relatively low luminous efficiency, limited service life, a small range of color temperatures (only yellow light), dependence on voltage surges in the network, and a fire hazard.

If you turn on a 40 W incandescent lamp, after half an hour it heats up to +145-148 ° C and begins to heat surrounding objects, which can lead to an accidental fire

Now it is possible to compare in practice the operation of incandescent lamps, gas-discharge and LED analogues. Anyone who has noticed a difference in energy consumption has long switched to energy saving devices.

Recommendations for choosing a light bulb

When purchasing light bulbs, they are guided primarily by the size of the base and power. These two parameters are easy to determine from an old, burnt-out light source.

Especially for lovers of traditional light bulbs, filament devices on LEDs are produced, similar in shape, but distinguished by their characteristics.

If you choose a device with a lower power, the luminous flux will be weaker; if you choose a higher power, you risk the integrity of the lampshades - they may become deformed due to the high heating temperature.

In addition to the technical characteristics, it is worth paying attention to the quality of the lamp. Preference should be given to products with a wide base contact, a soldered current conductor, and a stably fixed filament.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Even more informative and interesting information about the production, use and disadvantages of incandescent lamps can be found in videos made by specialists and amateurs.

Interesting facts about incandescent lamps:

How does LN production take place:

Comparative review of different types of lamps:

Popular information about choosing lamps for the home:

The consumer himself has the right to choose a light bulb for use in everyday life. However, you should not chase cheapness and deceptive benefits.

Considering that we use lighting constantly, and there are usually more than a dozen light bulbs in the house, we should reconsider our habits. Many users have long switched to more reliable, economical, safe LED lamps.

Have you noticed any errors or inaccuracies in the material presented? Or would you like to add useful recommendations to this article? Please write to us about this in the comments section.

If you prefer to use traditional light bulbs instead of more energy-efficient ones and want to share your opinion on them, write your point of view on the advisability of using conventional light bulbs under this article.