The traditional incandescent light bulb is the
most familiar and commonly used type of light bulb in the United States.
Compared to other lighting options, incandescent bulbs are the least costly to
purchase, but the most expensive in application due to high energy consumption
and a relatively short useful life. A halogen lamp, also referred to as a
halogen tungsten lamp, is a type of incandescent light bulb that is more
energy efficient and offers an alternative to traditional incandescent light
bulbs.
Incandescent lamps in general produce light by utilizing the energy from
electricity to heat and excite a tungsten filament, releasing photons, which
are the basic units that make up all forms of light. A filament is a thin wire
inside a bulb that gives off light when heat is introduced. When an
incandescent light is turned on, tungsten evaporates from the filament and
becomes affixed to the inside surface of the bulb wall. |
|
|
When there is no longer enough
tungsten in the filament to conduct electricity, the filament gradually becomes
more delicate and breaks, which is indicated by the bulb burning out.
Unlike standard incandescent light bulbs, halogen lamps contain a halogen gas,
often iodine, within them. The shells of the bulbs are most often composed of
quartz or a heat resistant hard glass rather than thin glass because of a high
heat requirement for use. The halogen gas serves to return evaporated tungsten
to the filament, instead of allowing it to permanently deposit itself onto the
inside wall of the bulb. Fewer deposits inside the bulb result in a cleaner wall
for light to penetrate, thus improving the luminance. Additionally, the process
which allows tungsten to return to the filament increases the time it takes for
the filament to break down, thus giving halogen bulbs a longer life than
standard incandescent light bulbs. Like standard bulbs, halogen bulbs do burn
out, but provide a longer useful life due to the slower dissipation of tungsten.
Halogen lights are popular for use in homes as well as industrial applications
such as stadiums and medical facilities. Dimming capabilities make halogen light
bulbs an attractive and versatile option for homes, but high heat can pose a
hazard in certain situations.
Just as halogen lighting evolved from standard incandescent light bulbs for
extended life and reduced energy consumption, viable alternative lighting
solutions continue to be developed for the lighting industry. Fluorescent
lights, which provide long life and low energy consumption, are widely available
but require a higher initial investment than incandescent bulbs. Researching the
positive and negative aspects of different lighting options will enable you to
make an informed and appropriate lighting choice for your application.
About the Author: About the
Author: John Billington is the president and CEO of Five Rivers Inc., a leading
online provider of
home lighting, bathroom lighting and decor. For
more information, please visit
www.fiverivers.com.
Related Tips and Advice:
Home
Lighting
Upgrade
your Bathroom Lighting
Lighting
and Curb Appeal
Torchieres
Fixtures
Lighting
Methods
Lighting
Systems
Small
Bathroom Lighting
Light
Fixtures
Advantages
of Outdoor Lighting
Living
Room Lighting - Create a Mood
Tiffany
Hanging Lamps
External
Outdoor Lighting
Lighting
As A Decorative Tool
Exciting
Tips On Lighting Design
Halogen
Lighting Explained
|
