BASICS OF LAMP TECHNOLOGY Created by the U.S. Department of Energy Rebuild America Business Partners and Philips Lighting Company
Mar 31, 2015
BASICS OF LAMP TECHNOLOGY
Created by the U.S. Department of Energy Rebuild America Business Partners and
Philips Lighting Company
Lamp TerminologyLamp TerminologyLumen (lm):
Total quantity of light produced independent of direction
Candlepower (cp):Quantity of light emitted in a specific direction
Illumination:Quantity of light falling on a surface measured in footcandles
Footcandle (fc):Amount of lumens falling on an area (lm/sf)
Lamp TerminologyLamp TerminologyLux (lx):
Metric equivalent of the footcandle. 1 fc ~ 10 lxColor Temperature (Kelvin, K)
The apparent color of a lamp expressed in Kelvin3000K ~ Warm White4100K ~ Cool White
Color Rendering Index (CRI)Measure from 0 - 100 of how well a lamp renders color based on incandescent being 100 (best).
Lamp TerminologyLamp TerminologyLumen Maintenance:
How well a lamp maintains light output over life. Usually shown as a percentage.
Lamp SizingLamp Sizing
Based on diameter at widest pointAll lamp types follow this formatSizes are described in 1/8” incrementsExamples:
A-19 = 19/8” = 2-3/8” diameterT-8 = 8/8” = 1” diameterPAR-38 = 38/8” = 4-3/4” diameter
Basic Lamp TypesBasic Lamp Types
IncandescentFluorescentHigh Intensity Discharge
Mercury Vapor Metal Halide High Pressure Sodium
Low Pressure SodiumInduction
Incandescent LampsIncandescent LampsFirst electric light source ever usedLight produced by heating a metal (filament)Utilizes various bases as determined by
applicationStarts instantlyRequires no re-strike timeAvailable for operation at various voltages
Types of Incandescent LampsTypes of Incandescent Lamps
StandardHalogen
Standard LampsStandard Lamps
Yellow in appearanceMost often found in residential applicationsPoor lumen maintenance due to “blackening” of
bulb wallApplications:
General lighting Task lighting Accent lighting Flood lighting Specialty lighting
Halogen LampsHalogen LampsProvides “white” lightUp to 50% more efficient than standard
incandescentUp to 2.5 times the life than standard
incandescentBulb walls remain virtually clean due to
halogen processImproved lumen maintenance
Halogen ProcessHalogen ProcessHalogen process provides the longer life and higher
lumen maintenanceTungsten evaporates from the filament and
condenses on bulb wallTungsten atom combines with the halogen atom to
form tungsten-halogen moleculeFloating molecule comes in the vicinity of the
filamentVery hot filament evaporates halogenTungsten re-deposited on filament
Halogen Lamp ApplicationsHalogen Lamp Applications
Display and accent lightingGeneral lightingTask lightingFloodlighting
Incandescent Lamp ShapesIncandescent Lamp Shapes
Arbitrary Arbitrary Bulged Reflector Bulged Reflector Elliptical Reflector GlobeElliptical Reflector GlobeA-19 A-19 BR-40 BR-40 ER-30 ER-30 G-30 G-30
PAR-38 PAR-38 R-30 R-30 T-10 T-10 Parabolic Aluminized ReflectorParabolic Aluminized Reflector Reflector Reflector Tubular Tubular
Types of Fluorescent LampsTypes of Fluorescent Lamps
Pre-Heat SlimlineRapid StartHigh OutputVery High OutputCompact
Pre-Heat LampsPre-Heat Lamps
Bi-pin baseUtilize starter circuitPreheats electrodes in lamp before startingStarts in 2 to 3 secondsExample: Old fluorescent desk lamp --
Hold down button to startF15T8, F30T8 (these are not the energy-
efficient T8’s)
Slimline LampsSlimline Lamps
Single pin baseLamps start instantlyBallast provides high voltageFound on 8’ lamp type -- F96T12
Rapid Start LampsRapid Start LampsMost common lamp typeBi-pin baseCathodes continuously heatedLamps start in 1 to 2 seconds with rapid
start ballastLamps start instantly with instant start
ballastF32T8 is an example
High OutputHigh Output
Recessed double contact baseRapid start circuitsOperate at 800 milliamperesProduce 40% more light as regular T12Typically used in high ceiling and outdoor
applicationsF96T12/HO is a typical 8’ lamp found
Very High OutputVery High Output
Recessed double contact baseRapid start circuitsOperate at 1500 milliamperesProduce twice as much light as regular T12Typically used in high ceiling and outdoor
applicationsF96T12/VHO is a typical 8’ lamp found
Energy-Efficient T12 LampsEnergy-Efficient T12 Lamps
Interchangeable with standard T12 lampsOperate at 15 to 20% lower wattage (i.e. 40
vs. 34)Produce approximately 12% less lumensMore efficient than standard lampsWill not operate to specification in
temperatures below 60°F
Compact Fluorescent LampsCompact Fluorescent LampsEnergy-efficient replacement for many
incandescent lampsUp to 75% energy savingsAbout 4 times the efficacyUp to 13 times the lifeOperates similarly to standard fluorescent lampsBallast required - internal or externalHigh color renderingExcellent lumen maintenance - up to 90%
Compact Fluorescent LampsCompact Fluorescent Lamps
Screw-in lamps Installed directly into incandescent sockets Integral electronic ballast in base Various sizes, shapes and wattages 82 CRI @ 2700K Dimmable available
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Shapes
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Shapes
Universal Universal A-Lamp A-Lamp Reflector Reflector Globe Globe
Table Table Outdoor Outdoor Specialty Specialty
Compact Fluorescent LampsCompact Fluorescent Lamps
Plug-in lamps Require new sockets Independent ballast system Various sizes, shapes and wattages Screw-in adapters available for some
applications 82 CRI and various color temperatures Some are dimmable
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Shapes
Compact Fluorescent Lamp Shapes
Double TubeDouble Tube Quad Tube Quad Tube Triple Tube Triple Tube Low WattageLow Wattage
Double Tube High WattageDouble Tube High Wattage
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
High Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
Consist of 3 lamp types Mercury Vapor Metal Halide High Pressure Sodium
Gases in lamp are under high pressure
Mercury Vapor LampsMercury Vapor LampsOldest of the HID family: Introduced in 1950Least efficient of the HID family: 32 - 63 LPW12,000 - 24,000 hour lifeBlue-green color lightApplications
Industrial Parking Areas Landscape Roadways Security
Metal Halide LampsMetal Halide Lamps Introduced in 1964Superior color rendering over mercury vapor Increased efficacy over mercury vapor: 60-125 LPW6,000 to 20,000 hours lifeApplications
Industrial Commercial Flood Lighting Sports Street/Parking Lighting Retail
High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps
High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamps
Introduced in 1965Most efficient of HID family: 65-140 LPWPoor color renderingExcellent life: 10,000 - 30,000 hoursApplications
Industrial Warehouses Roadway Security Flood Lighting Parking lots
Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) Lamps
Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) Lamps
Lamp gases are under low pressureHighest efficacy of any light source: up to
183 LPWMonochromatic yellow light
All objects appear grayApplication
Security Areas where high efficacy required and color rendition
not a concern
Operating Characteristics of HID & LPS
Operating Characteristics of HID & LPS
Lamp TypeApprox.
Warm-up TimeApprox.
Restrike Time
Metal Halide 3-4 min 10-20 min
High PressureSodium
3-4 min ½-1 min
Mercury Vapor 5-7 min 3-6 min
Low PressureSodium
7-10 min 3-12 sec
Induction LightingInduction Lighting
100,000 hour lifeOperates in temperature range of -30°F to
130°FHigh color renderingAvailable in various colorsOperates using a magnetic fieldVibration resistant
Induction LightingInduction Lighting
High power factorCooler operation than HID sourcesApplications:
Problematic maintenance areas Security lighting Low bay Flood lighting Landscape lighting General lighting
Range of Light Output (Lumens)Range of Light Output (Lumens)
Lamp Type Low High
Incandescent 12 33,300
Mercury Vapor 1,580 60,000
Fluorescent 135 15,700
Metal Halide 2,000 165,000
High Pressure Sodium 2,150 140,000
Low Pressure Sodium 1,800 33,000
Induction 3,500 12,000
Compact Fluorescent 250 4,300
Range of Rated Life (Hours)Range of Rated Life (Hours)
Lamp Low HighIncandescent 50 8,000
Fluorescent 6,000 24,000
Mercury Vapor 12,000 24,000
Metal Halide 6,000 20,000
High Pressure Sodium 10,000 30,000
Low Pressure Sodium 14,000 18,000
Induction 100,000 100,000
Compact Fluorescent 6,000 20,000
Lamp EfficacyLamp Efficacy
Lamp Type LPW (lumens/watt)Incandescent 22.2
Mercury Vapor 70.7
Fluorescent 60.0
Metal Halide 103.3
High Pressure Sodium 140.0
Low Pressure Sodium 183.0
Induction 72.7
Compact Fluorescent 86.0