How fluorescent ceiling lamps work

Lamps daylight gained significant popularity, which is constantly increasing. Due to the constant rise in the price of electricity, they are replacing conventional incandescent lamps, the use of which is more expensive. In fact, this is a kind of fluorescent lamp, but more modified. There are many varieties that differ in form, but are similar in components and principle of operation.

A fluorescent lamp is a sealed glass tube filled with gas vapor. When an electrical discharge occurs inside, the particles are excited and bombard the phosphor deposited inside the tube on its walls. A glow appears. The gaseous medium is a poor conductor for electricity, but a primary impulse of sufficient strength ensures that the lamp is turned on, after which it is only necessary to maintain a glow discharge.

Not all types fluorescent lamps designed for lighting rooms. The color emitted by the lamp resembles daylight. This is probably why they were called fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps are also called a variety of similar devices with a blue tint of glow. There are several types of such lamps:

LB (white light lamps);
LD (fluorescent lamp);
LDC (the same, but with color rendition).

The first two are used for lighting, and the third have shades of blue and blue spectrum, are used in industrial premises. At LDC, although they are considered deluxe lamps, they have a lower luminous efficiency, up to 15% less than that of LD.
The principle of operation of such light sources is the presence of gas discharges passing through mercury vapor. Ultraviolet radiation appears, which is converted into light by means of a luminescent substance. In this case, the luminous efficiency is several times greater than that of an incandescent lamp at the same values power. The service life of energy-saving lamps is also quite long - up to 5 years, but you need to turn on the lamp no more than 2000 times.
Fluorescent lamps illuminate large rooms, which saves energy up to 83%. The disadvantages are the following characteristics of energy-saving lamps:

danger of chemical contamination with mercury vapor;
the spectrum of lighting is not very comfortable and distorts the color of objects;
the phosphor ceases to function over time, reducing the efficiency;
fluorescent lamps cannot be turned on through a dimmer i.e. smoothly change the illumination;
fluorescent lamps emit pulsed light.

There are other inconveniences associated with the operation of these lamps, but there are also many positive reviews.
For example, maxus energy-saving lamps are compact, economical, the bulb and the ceiling of the chandelier do not heat up to such a temperature that a fire hazard arises. Have long term services. However, they cannot simply be thrown away with household waste, they

Connection

How to connect a fluorescent lamp depends on the specific circuit.
Previously, fluorescent lamps were switched on using a choke, starter and capacitor in the circuit.

The disadvantage of such switching schemes was the flashing of the light of the lamps when turned on, striking in the eyes, the long ignition of the lamps and the frequent failure of the starter.
Then these schemes were replaced by schemes where the throttle and starter were replaced by one block, the so-called balancer. It is also called PRU (starter control device) or electronic ballast. The lamps began to light up quickly, without blinking.

Recently, another type of fluorescent lamps has appeared, these are energy-saving lamps that work on the same principle. It's still easier there. The lamp has a base similar to the base of incandescent lamps. PRU (or balancer) is hidden in the lamp base. The lamp is screwed into the cartridge instead of incandescent lamps.

How to give a second life to an energy-saving lamp

Fluorescent lamps can be turned on even after they have failed. How to do this is described in the article and throttle and.
Some craftsmen do impulse blocks power supply from balancers from failed energy-saving lamps. The balance diagram looks like this:

To make a power supply, the following steps are taken.

The lamp opens, which is easy to do by prying 4 clips with a screwdriver.
Carefully handling the bulb, which is very fragile when pressed, you need to release the two contacts extending from it.
Spiral wires running from the board to the base must be cut or unsoldered.
On the board, insert a jumper between the contacts that went to the bulb (see diagram).
Next, we wind the winding on the L5 inductor, removing it from the circuit. 0.5 mm is used, in quantity as much as will fit. Pre primary winding isolate with paper, tape.
We add diodes soldered into the rectifier diode bridge VD14-VD17 to the conclusions of the new winding. After diode bridge we put electrolytic capacitors C9 - C10 to smooth out the current ripple.
We measure the resulting voltage with a voltmeter. You can change the voltage by changing the number of turns in the wound winding.

In this way, it is possible to connect the structure to an electrical consumer with the same consumed voltage. An energy-saving lamp gets a second life.

Fluorescent lamps, or as they are also called - fluorescent and, these are modern lamps. From the point of view of the consumer, their main advantage is that they allow you to reduce electricity consumption at times. Compared to an ordinary incandescent light bulb, a fluorescent light bulb will provide the same amount of light while using up to 80% less electricity.

To answer the question of how this is possible, you need to understand the principle of operation of a fluorescent lamp. So, the lamp is a tube filled with mercury vapor and an inert gas, on the walls of which a layer of phosphor is applied. An electrical discharge causes mercury vapor to emit ultraviolet light, and the phosphor begins to glow under the influence of ultraviolet light. As you can see, putting the process into action does not require much electricity.

Fluorescent light color

Unlike incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps give three options for glowing: cold light, warm and neutral. When choosing a lamp, you should think about the temperature of the glow, since it is this indicator that gives comfort to the eye, and the choice directly depends on the place where the lamp is used. If we choose ceiling lamps daylight in the office, it is better to stay on cold (white) or neutral light, if in the bedroom, then warm (yellow) light is preferable.

Pros and cons of using fluorescent lamps

To unconditional pluses in the use of fluorescent lamps include the following:

As mentioned above, the power of fluorescent lamps is much lower than incandescent lamps, while the illumination we get is the same. For example, a 12W lamp is equal to a 60W lamp.
The service life is on average 7 times longer than the service life of "Ilyich's bulbs".
Energy-saving lamps do not heat up during operation.
Daylight lamps do not flicker, thereby giving less strain on the eyes.
All fluorescent lamps come with a factory warranty.

The cost of an energy-saving lamp is higher than the cost of a conventional one, despite this, in the end, its purchase still turns out to be profitable if it lasts the entire declared period.
Due to power surges, the service life is noticeably reduced. For example, if the voltage in the network increases by 6%, the lamp will last 2 times less, an increase by 20% will result in the lamp working out only 5% of its service life.
Energy saving light bulbs slightly larger than incandescent lamps, so it is likely that they will not fit in some of the lamps, and they will not look aesthetically pleasing from some of the ceiling lamps.
You can often hear complaints from consumers why fluorescent lights blink when off. Luckily this is a solvable problem, most of the time this is due to the LED in the switch, if the switch is replaced the problem will go away.

Where is the danger?

Are fluorescent lamps harmful - probably this question was not asked just lazy. Different studies show different results, but they all agree on one thing - if humanity does not understand how important the competent disposal of fluorescent light bulbs is, they will undoubtedly bring harm sooner or later. The problem is that the glass tube of the lamp contains. For example, if one lamp breaks in an apartment, nothing particularly terrible will happen, it will be enough to ventilate the room. If all the lamps from our apartments end up in garbage containers, break and release mercury vapor, this will already be a real danger. Therefore, do not be lazy, take the time and ask where recycling points are located in your area.

Do you know which month of the year, according to statistics, is the most fruitful for the dead? February. Why? Because during the long winter days a person receives the least daylight. And although by nature he must somehow fight this, in modern realities this is not always possible. It's all about prolonging wakefulness, although the day itself is shortened. That's why everyone's health starts to go haywire by the end of winter. There is only one way out - to install fluorescent ceiling lamps. Why?

The thing is that these lamps create the presence of an artificial sun in the premises. That is, they can be used to extend daylight as if everything is really happening. Of course, this is a hoax, but the body reacts to it.

Fluorescent Lamp

We are all familiar with fluorescent lamps, which were long, cloudy bulbs. These are old samples, which, by the way, are still used in many premises (especially office ones). All other models that ordinary people call energy-saving are light bulbs that are installed even in living rooms.

The principle of operation of this type of ceiling lamp is based on the production of radiation (ultraviolet) by an electric discharge in mercury vapor. True, such radiation is rather weak, therefore the inner plane of the flask is treated with phosphors. What is a phosphor? This is a substance that converts the energy absorbed by itself into a glow. Fluorescent lamps use inorganic phosphors. Basically, these are metal sulfides (not all), which are activated by copper ions.

Attention! These lamps have one big drawback - this is flickering, which has a harmful effect on human eyes. Therefore, their package includes ceiling lamps. Without them, to install fixtures with daylight is to harm yourself.

In addition to ceiling lamps, flickering is extinguished by special devices that are now installed in modern lamps. This is an electromagnetic ballast (electronic ballast). This effect can also be reduced by installing two fluorescent lamps (two-lamp) in one lamp at once. It's just that their flicker pulses work to cancel each other out.

As for the correct use of this type of lighting in residential premises, it is premature to say that it will be correct. After all, at home everyone is trying to relax, leisure not used here. So the yellow light of incandescent lamps will be just right. Although it should be noted that manufacturers today began to offer sources of daylight color with a yellow tint, which is more acceptable in living rooms.

Marking

What are the criteria for fluorescent lamps? Three criteria:

Light power.
Colorful temperature.
Color rendering index.

Manufacturers indicate all this on the packaging. So you should carefully consider the inscriptions that define specifications device. For example, products of the well-known company "PHILIPS". Here is the marking of one of her lamps: TL-D 58W / 830 - what does this mean?

TL-D - fluorescent lamp.
58W - glow power.
8 - color rendering index.
30 – Colorful temperature.

This is a purely international label. In Russia, the whole abbreviation comes down to determining the type of lamp according to the old GOST 6825-91. In this document they are labeled as follows:

LB - with white light.
LHB - cold white light.
LTB - warm.
LD - daytime.

As mentioned above, today manufacturers offer an expanded range, where you can highlight luminescent sources lights for solariums, for nurseries where birds or animals are kept, for catering points, in the glow of which food has a more attractive appearance. And yet it is necessary when choosing to pay attention to power. For example, a LPO lamp is 2x36 W, which means that the total power of the device is 72 W. It has two lamps. Or a ceiling lamp AOT 4x18 W gives exactly the same luminous power. But it has four lamps.

Warnings

First, regarding connectivity. Usually fluorescent lamps connected through the throttle and starter. Unfortunately, these simple and cheap devices are already outdated. Today, electronic ballasts are used for this. They work perfectly and for a long time, do not make noise, practically do not react to power surges in the 220 V network. True, this is an expensive device.

Secondly, mercury vapor contained in the bulb of fluorescent lamps can be dangerous to humans. Of course, while they are inside, there is no need to be afraid of them. Therefore, it is impossible to break the lamps, throw them into the garbage for household waste. They are specially disposed of.

Energy saving light sources

So, it has already been mentioned above that the new generation of fluorescent lighting sources in everyday life is called energy-saving lamps. These are all the same tubular devices only with different form(spiral, U-shaped, double and so on). These light bulbs are similar to incandescent light bulbs. They have standard cartridges or E14 or E27. That is, you can screw in and unscrew the light bulb in the old fashioned way.

To be honest, it is impossible to consider that only this type can be called energy-saving. Because there is a fairly large number of different devices and light sources with which you can greatly save electricity. We add that in these lamps there is an electronic ballast, only it is located in the base of the device, therefore it is not visible to the eye. This is a convenient design that allows you to simply screw the lamp to its destination without having to additionally connect to the starting device.

LEDs

LED ceiling light bulbs for pendant or stretch ceiling also belong to the category of fluorescent lamps. True, they have higher characteristics (technical and operational).

First, they are completely flicker-free.
Secondly, their emission spectrum is closest to the emission spectrum of our star.
Thirdly, they have a higher color temperature. And this suggests that the color rendering is also higher and closer to the glow of the sun.
Fourthly, they have increased safety due to the absence of dangerous mercury vapors in the flask.

Not without flaws. LED ceiling lights by far the most expensive light source.

Conclusion on the topic

So, daylight, which is so important to all of us, can be artificial. Of course, this is not the sun, but its prototype. But studies have shown that it is with the help of these lamps that the human body adheres to certain norms of vital activity. And this is not only health, it is an increase in life expectancy. And, therefore, it is, most importantly, harmless.