Induction lamps: device, types, scope + rules of choice

Today, consumers are increasingly choosing energy-efficient household and industrial lighting devices. However, in addition to saving, the backlight quality also plays an important role. A worthy alternative to traditional light sources are induction lamps.

They emit a soft light, pleasant to the eyes, that does not change the objective perception of objects. Let's understand together the device and the principles of operation of induction lamps.

Device and principle of operation

The primary light source in the induction bulb is a plasma artificially created as a result of the ionization of the gas mixture by the RF electromagnetic field.

The current generates an alternating electric field, causing the occurrence of a gas discharge in a glass flask. Excited mercury generates UV radiation, which, thanks to the phosphor, is converted into visible light.

Induction lamps belong to the category of gas-discharge light sources, more about which is written in this stuff.

The design of the induction lamp includes three basic functional elements:

• gas discharge tube;
• ferrite ring induction coil;
• electronic ballast.

Inside the tube are drops of mercury amalgam. The flask itself is filled with a gas with low chemical reactivity - argon / krypton, and its inner surface is covered with an inorganic phosphor.

An induction coil and an electromagnet form a high-frequency magnetic field, under the influence of which free electrons accelerate, collide and excite mercury atoms.

As a result, ultraviolet radiation is formed. By a phosphor it transforms into a visible bright glow.

As in simple fluorescent bulbs, the combination of different phosphors in the coating of the flask gives an illumination of various colors. Most often, devices with a colorimetric temperature of 3500 K, 4100 K, 5000 K, 6500 K are found

The electronic ballast is connected to a 12 V / 24 V DC voltage source or to a sinusoidal voltage network of 120 V / 220 V / 380 V.

The starter control system transforms an alternating current of 50 Hz into a direct current, and then into a high-frequency current from 190 kHz to 2.65 MHz.

This RF current creates a magnetic field. In addition, the starter generates a strong start pulse, which ignites an induction light source.

To ensure stable operation of the electrodeless lighting device, the control system can also change the strength of the electric current and its frequency through the inductor coil.

In order to reduce the scattering of the high-frequency electromagnetic field, the lamps are equipped with ferrite screens and / or special cores.

The main difference between induction energy-saving lamps from other light sources is the absence of filaments and contact thermal cathodes. In induction lamps, electromagnets are located outside, that is, there is no direct contact of the electrodes with the ionized gas medium

This makes the cylinder of the lighting device more uniform and approximately equally loaded in temperature.

During prolonged operation of such lighting, cracking of the glass bulb is not observed; over time, the electrode material does not deposit on the walls.

The absence of incandescent electrodes needed to ignite conventional bulbs allows you to achieve an incredibly long life of induction lamps - up to 120,000 hours of operation.

Some manufacturers even claim a life of up to 150,000 hours. This figure is 10 times the durability of simple fluorescent light bulbs, gas-discharge LVD, mercury-tungsten and sodium lighting.

In addition, the service life of induction light sources is approximately 2–3 times longer than the life of LEDs.

Varieties of induction lamps

For the first time, a lamp without contact electrodes was demonstrated by Nikola Tesla back in 1893 at the World Exhibition in Chicago. The lighting device presented to the public was powered by the magnetic field of the Tesla coil. And the first reliable prototype of an induction light source was created by John Melvin Anderson in 1967.

Classification of electrodeless bulbs

In 1994, General Electric introduced the GENURA compact energy-saving lamp with an integrated high-frequency generator in the base.

Serial production of induction fluorescent lamps started in the 1990s.

Today, the leaders in the production of electrodeless energy-efficient lighting are PHILIPS Lighting, GE Lighting and OSRAM Licht AGO. The table shows the parameters and cost of different models of lamps from these manufacturers

Depending on the type of construction, induction light sources are:

• with built-in ballast - an electric generator and a lamp are combined in one unit;
• with separate electronic starter - the external generator and the lamp are exploded devices.

Depending on the method of placing the coil, these lamps are also divided into devices with an external (low-frequency) and internal (high-frequency) inductor.

In the first case, a coil with a ferromagnetic rod is twisted around the cylinder. The operating frequency of light bulbs with external induction lies in the range of 190-250 kHz.

They have better conditions for intensive heat exchange with the environment, since the coil outside the sealed bulb easily dissipates the heat generated by the device. The service life of low-frequency devices is up to 120,000 hours.

In the second case, an induction coil with a wound core is located inside a glass bulb. The generated heat is in the cavity of the lighting device, and therefore lamps with internal induction are heated more strongly.

Their operating frequency is in the range of 2-3 MHz. The resource of such light sources does not exceed 75,000 hours.

In appearance, devices with an internal inductor resemble vacuum bulbs. But models with an external inductor have the shape of a ring or rectangle

Both high-frequency and low-frequency lamps have a large margin of safety and have a long service life.

Execution options and marking

Currently, companies that specialize in lighting have launched mass production of induction lamps of various shapes. Design features and variants of execution are traced in their marking.

The first two alphabetical characters in the code determine the type of device (IL - induction lamp), the third indicates the form. After the letter designation, the power is usually declared.

ILK - round induction bulbs. They have high light output and a wide range of spectrophotometric temperatures. Suitable for installation in round and oval lamps.

Such light sources are actively used for lighting warehouses, spacious production and repair shops, shopping malls, sports bases.

ILSH - ball-shaped lamps. They are made in the traditional form of conventional high-power vacuum lighting devices. Create a soft light and light up almost instantly.

Suitable for replacement light bulbs energy-efficient light sources without the need to change the lamp itself.

ILSH are installed in floodlights for illumination of hotels and restaurants, supermarkets, as well as in street and industrial lamps

ILU - U-shaped bulbs. They are devices with a separate generator. They emit a bright white light, do not flicker during operation.

They are used to illuminate stadiums, tunnels, subways and highways, advertising stands, signboards and other objects.

ILB, ILBK - lamps with an annular shape of a bulb. In them, the generator, coil and tube are combined in a single unit. Generate soft light that does not blind, quickly and easily ignite at temperatures up to -35 ° C.

Similar constructions are used to illuminate hotels and trading floors, park areas and squares, and private household territories.

Separately, it should be said about induction phytolamps for plants. They differ in the shape of the glass bulb and the color of the radiation.

Different models of induction phytolamps are suitable for illuminating green spaces during a certain period of growth and development. Series of such products indicate TIL. The following two letters indicate a specific lamp model.

Phytolamps induction GP and VG are intended for illumination of plants at the stage of vegetative growth. The blue radiation spectrum prevails in them.

FL devices are used in the initial phase of fruit formation, as well as to accelerate the formation of colors. They emit red light.

KL model bulbs are universal. Such light sources make it possible to control the growth of plantings. They generate saturated red light, necessary for the full development of plant fruits and abundant flowering.

Labeling examples:

• ILK-40 - 40 W round induction lamp;
• TILPVG-120 is a rectangular induction phytolamp with a power of 120 W, a VG model for the initial stage of vegetative plant growth.

The radiation of an induction bulb corresponds to the solar spectrum by 97%, and therefore is excellent for artificial lighting of greenhouse complexes.

Benefits of Using IL

Electrodeless lamps generate soft light, comfortable for perception by the eyes. Color tones are not distorted.

The brightness of such lamps can be changed within 30-100% with a simple dimmer switch for devices with a filament.

The content of solid-state mercury in modern induction lamps is several times lower than in conventional fluorescent gas-filled lamps

Even after 75,000 hours of operation, induction devices retain the level of light power at around 80-85% of the original.

Conventional LL daylight near the end of its useful life loses up to 55% brightness. On their flasks dark opaque circles form over time.

The advantages of using induction electrodeless lamps:

• Efficiency of 90%;
• service life up to 150,000 hours;
• light output is more than 90-160 lm / W;
• optimal conditions for visual perception of objects;
• operating temperature range from -35 ° C to +50 ° C;
• color rendering coefficient Ra˃80;
• high energy efficiency indicators;
• minimum flask heating;
• unlimited number of start / shutdown cycles;
• lack of ripple;
• the ability to adjust the intensity of the glow;
• Warranty period is 5 years.

Manufacturers claim that induction light sources have better technical characteristics than LEDs and are several times cheaper. The energy consumption of these types of bulbs is about the same.

Application of electrodeless lamps

Modernized lighting devices that do not contain thermal cathodes and filaments are used for both indoor and outdoor lighting.

The scope of use of IL

Electrodeless lamps have built-in protection against short circuit (short circuit) and power surges.

Induction luminaires are resistant to vibration loads and accidental shocks, they work stably even at low air temperatures

Due to the high light output with a small electricity consumption, they are used in various fields:

• to organize high-quality street lighting;
• in shopping and hotel complexes;
• in office centers and domestic premises;
• for lighting spacious workshops and warehouses at industrial facilities;
• to highlight greenhouses and greenhouses;
• for lighting motorways and tunnels;
• for the organization of explosion-proof lighting at the gas station.

Due to the stability of the parameters, mercury electrodeless lamps are used as precision point sources of UV radiation in spectrometry.

In addition, the principle of induction gas excitation is applied in the process of pumping energy from external sources into the working environment of lasers.

However, due to the presence of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, induction lamps are not installed at railway stations and airports.

Also, these bulbs can cause interference while working with ultra-sensitive laboratory and medical equipment. Therefore, in rooms with similar special equipment, it is not recommended to use them.

Street and road lighting

The most effective road lighting can provide street lamps with induction energy-efficient lamps. This type of lighting guarantees comfortable visibility for both drivers and pedestrians.

Road lights have a solid cantilever mount and are mounted on poles, as well as standard poles. They are used to illuminate park areas and squares, streets and squares, highways and parking lots, embankments, courtyards.

Instant start of the IL minimizes energy losses and allows you to use the lighting system as efficiently as possible. This makes it possible to organize lighting using motion sensors.

An example is the instantaneous launch of lighting on motorways in places where cars and pedestrians move.

In addition, a sensitive motion sensor can be combined with a programmable twilight switch.

The device is adjusted to specific lighting values. If the light level is insufficient, the sensor will give a command to turn on the lamps.

The ability to dimming allows the successful use of intelligent systems for the effective management of street lighting.

By controlling the brightness of induction lamps using a power regulator and an astronomical timer, you can achieve real savings in electrical energy, as well as significantly reduce maintenance costs.

The introduction of intelligent systems makes it possible to monitor the state of lighting, measure and analyze data on the energy consumption of luminaires.

Safe industrial light sources

The use of devices based on induction technology is a cost-effective solution for the modernization of lighting systems of industrial enterprises.

Induction lamps are of high build quality and do not require regular maintenance. They significantly reduce electricity consumption and help increase production profitability.

Industrial lighting devices have a protection class of IP54, which allows operation even in conditions of pollution and high humidity. They can be installed in unheated and poorly ventilated rooms.

Tempered glass in combination with silicone insulation reliably protects the housing from the ingress of foreign impurities and water.

There are also industrial explosion-proof IL models. They not only provide high-quality lighting, but also prevent the occurrence of fire hazard situations. Such devices increase occupational safety.

An anti-static polymer coating is applied to the case of induction explosion-proof fixtures.

Thanks to this composition, lighting devices are characterized by shock resistance and resistance to negative temperatures.

The special intrinsically safe coating does not deteriorate even in an alkaline and acidic environment and is able to maintain its properties for 30 years.

Backlighting in greenhouses and greenhouses

The spectrum of the induction lamp corresponds to 75% of the photosynthetically active radiation necessary for active growth and long flowering of plants.

That is why electrodeless type bulbs are used as additional sources in greenhouses and greenhouses to illuminate standard and compact grow boxes, direct, lateral and inter-row illumination of plants.

The operating temperature of induction lighting devices does not exceed 60 degrees Celsius, which allows them to be located close to green spaces

The use of such lamps in grow boxes makes it possible to significantly reduce the cost of cooling tanks.

The use of IL also allows you to pre-design and separately install lighting for each zone of the greenhouse.

To correct and direct the maximum of light to the desired sector use optical surfaces - screens. They focus radiation on a specific site.

And with the help of special reflectors, artificial light is evenly distributed over the entire height of green spaces.

Rules for choosing IL

When choosing induction lighting devices, it is important to consider their design features, operational characteristics, as well as the degree of safety.

Only with this approach, can IL be considered a worthwhile acquisition.

Today in specialized stores it is not difficult to find induction electrodeless lamps with power from 15 W to 500 W. But there are more powerful ones designed for various production needs.

Oval bulb lamps are available for fixtures with standard E14, E27 and E40 lampholders.

There are also special rectangular and circular types of induction lighting devices that can work both in AC and DC.

It is worth noting that the ball-shaped induction bulbs will be larger in size than conventional incandescent filaments, since the RF generator is hidden in the base. This is important to consider when buying.

All induction lamps and electrodeless lamps undergo mandatory certification.

Therefore, we can confidently talk about their safety. The amalgam is in a sealed flask and, subject to the basic operating rules, its leakage is excluded.

However, it must be understood, like standard fluorescent lamps, induction lamps require appropriate disposal due to the presence of mercury compounds and electronic components.

A solid amalgam - an alloy of mercury with other metals - can be reused. Glass from the lamp is also handed over for recycling, but separately from the phosphor.

Lamps with induction technology are not considered environmentally friendly types of lighting, and in this criterion they are much inferior to LEDs.

It must be added that the induction-type bulb does not immediately reach its stable luminous flux. At the start, it gives out about 80% of the total radiation.

To this indicator reached its maximum, an electrodeless lamp needs 2-3 minutes. During this time, the amalgam is sufficiently heated and the required amount of mercury is evaporated.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Induction lamps - a new generation of discharge lamps. The principle of operation of this type of lighting:

What makes induction lamps, features of lamps of this type and scope:

Advantages of using modern induction light sources in industrial enterprises:

Correct installation of induction lamps in compliance with all standards and norms allows the efficient use of energy-saving technology. Today, such light sources are a reasonable alternative to traditional approaches to the organization of lighting.

Have experience using induction lamps? Or, after studying the material, have questions? You can ask them in the comment box under the article. There you can share experiences or give valuable advice to visitors to our site.