Fluorescent Lamp

Fluorescent Lamp:

Employs transformation of UV radiation due to low pressure mercury vapor. Luminescent Powder in tubular vapor Lamps Enhances brilliancy of light.Radiation from Low Pressure Mercury Vapor (which is in UV region) is impinged on Luminescent Materials and re – radiated at longer wavelengths of visible spectrum. In a Glass Tube small drop of Mercury and small amount of Argon gas are placed for initiation of discharge. Pressure, voltage and current are so adjusted that 253.7 nm line is excited. This re-radiates at longer wavelength. Typically a 40W lamp requires 2-3g of phosphors. Maximum sensitivity is around 250 – 260 nm. Various types of Fluorescent Lamps are:

1.        Day Light Fluorescent Lamps- Average Noon Day Light. 6500°k suitable where demands are not exacting

2.        Standard white Light - 3500°k general Lighting.

3.        4500°k white Lamp – between std. white Light & Day Light Lamp.

4.        Soft white Lamp – Pinker Light. 25% lower light output than Std. white Lamp suitable for Residential lighting and Restaurants.

Dimension and Voltage depend on Luminous Efficacy, Brightness, Lumen Output and Lumen Maintenance. Reliable Starting is achieved by having preheated cathodes / hot cathode. Half the open circuit voltage should be used by the Lamp and the other half by the ballast. Lamp Voltage decides the arc length, bulb diameter and lamp current. Hot Cathode lamps operate at lower voltage < cold Cathode lamps. Typically cold cathodes have 70-100V drop at the cathode.