Types of lamp

[edit] Introduction

The term ‘lamp’ refers specifically to a light source, typically comprising a light-emitting element contained within an outer bulb or tube, which generally emits radiation within the visible spectrum.

The term is also used more widely to describe products such as table lamps and floor lamps, although these should more correctly be referred to as light fittings. Light fittings (or sometimes light fixtures) can comprise lamps, lampholders, control gear, housings, and so on.

The term bulb may also be used to describe a lamp, although, more correctly, the bulb is the outer glass part of a lamp which contains the light source.

Lamps may include a reflector and a lens to control the beam angle (or beam spread), they may be dimmable, they can have a range of brightness, beam angle and colour, and can be used to provide direct or indirect light.

Lamp intensity (or power density) is the overall power output of a lamp across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, generally expressed in Watts (W). This is not a measure of the brightness of the lamp, as some of a lamp’s output may be in non-visible parts of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Lamp brightness is expressed in lumen (lm). Illuminance is the level of light on a surface measured in lux (lx), where one lux is equal to one lumen per square metre (lm/m^2).

Lamp efficacy is the ratio of the light output to the power consumed, expressed in lumens per Watt (lm/W). Lamp efficiency is the proportion of electrical energy converted to light.

Lamp beam angle or beam spread is the angle of the cone of light emitted by reflectorised lamps, measured from the centre of the beam to the line where the intensity of the beam is 50% of the maximum.

Colour appearance refers to the visual sensation correlated with the ‘warmth’ or ‘coolness’ of the light emitted by a lamp.

[edit] Types of lamp

There are a wide variety of different types of lamp available:

[edit] Filament lamps

Filament lamps contain a tungsten wire (a filament) which is heated by an electrical current. Filament lamps may be incandescent lamps or halogen lamps.

[edit] Incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps contain a filament within a vacuum-sealed glass bulb. The passage of electrical current through the filament causes it to glow.

[edit] Halogen lamps

Halogen lamps contain a coated filament surrounded by a halogen gas, which emits electrons when heated. They typically have a longer life and are more efficient than incandescent filament lamps.

In September 2018, the use of halogen lamps was banned across Europe. While remaining stocks are allowed to be sold, and low voltage incandescents used in oven lights will be exempt, the ban is intended to bring about a switch to light-emitting diodes (LEDs) which consume five times less energy than halogen lamps.

On 9 June 2021, the Government announced that the sale of most halogen light bulbs would be banned from 1 September 2021.

Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/end-of-halogen-light-bulbs-spells-brighter-and-cleaner-future

[edit] Extra-low voltage lamps

Extra-low voltage lamps are small halogen lamps producing two or three times the light output of conventional filament lamps. They are typically powered from a separate 12 V source and have increased efficiency and lamp life. As the heating effect is lower, they can be preferable for display lighting

[edit] Discharge lamps

Discharge lamps, sometimes referred to as arc discharge lamps, discharge an electric current through a gas or gas/metal vapour mix. Discharge lamps may be fluorescent lamps or High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps.

[edit] Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps discharge an electric current through an inert gas and low pressure mercury vapour to produce ultraviolet (UV) energy. This generates ultraviolet radiation, which is converted into visible light by a phosphor coating on the inner face of the glass. The type of coating determines the spectrum of light emitted.

On 9 June 2021, the Government announced that the sale of most fluorescent lights would be banned from September 2023.

Ref https://www.gov.uk/government/news/end-of-halogen-light-bulbs-spells-brighter-and-cleaner-future

[edit] Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL)

Compact fluorescent lamps are small diameter, single ended fluorescent lamps, bent to form a compact shape. They may have bases allowing them to be used as replacements for incandescent lamps.

[edit] High intensity discharge lamps (HID)

High intensity discharge lamps are formed by compact arc tubes which enclose gas and metal salts. When the arc has formed, the metal salts evaporate, forming plasma which increases the intensity and reduces the power consumption of the arc. HIDs are typically mercury, metal halide (MH), ceramic metal halide (CMH) or high-pressure sodium (HPS).

[edit] Xenon Arc Lamps

Xenon arc lamps contain xenon gas and emit light that is very similar to sunlight.

[edit] Light-emitting diodes LED

LEDs contain solid semi-conductor materials that convert electrical impulses into light. They may include fluorescent materials that alter the colour of the light. They have a similar efficiency to CFLs but are longer lasting.

For more information see: LED lights.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• Architectural LED market.
• Artificial lighting.
• Ballast or control gear.
• Colour.
• Colour appearance.
• Colour Rendering Index CRI.
• Dichroic reflector.
• Discharge lamp.
• Electromagnetic spectrum.
• Extra-low voltage lamps.
• General lighting v task lighting.
• Glare.
• Health and wellbeing impacts of natural and artificial lighting.
• Illuminance.
• Lamp efficacy.
• Lava lamp.
• LED lights.
• Light fitting.
• Lighting.
• Lighting and energy efficiency.
• Lighting and health infographic.
• Lighting energy numeric indicator LENI.
• Lighting of construction sites.
• Light Pollution - Human Health Impacts from LEDs.
• Luminaire efficacy.
• Luminous flux.
• Neon lighting.
• Power factor.
• Seeley Library.
• Space classifications for lighting controls.
• Specialist process lighting.
• The essential guide to retail lighting.
• The impact of lighting in retail design.
• Types of lighting.

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