LAMP TYPES

A. INCANDESCENT AND HALOGEN

LAMPS

Tungsten halogen lamps are basically incandescent lamps that operate at higher
pressure and temperature than standard incandescent lamps, producing a whiter
light and longer life. The "tungsten" part of the name comes from the filament
material - tungsten. The halogen part refers to the type of chemical additive that
bestows the lamp with its special properties.
It is an advanced form of incandescent lamp.
PROPERTIES:
The filament is composed of ductile tungsten and located in a gas filled bulb
just like a standard tungsten bulb, however the gas in a halogen bulb is at a
higher pressure (7-8 ATM). The glass bulb is made of fused quartz, high-silica
glass or aluminosilicate. This bulb is stronger than standard glass in order to contain the high pressure.
This lamp has been an industry standard for work lights and film/television lighting due to compact
size and high lumen output. The halogen lamp is being replaced slowly by the white LED array lamp,
miniature HID and fluorescent lamps. Increased efficiency halogens with 30+ lumens per watt may
change sale decline in the future.

INFRARED COATING

The most energy efficient halogen lamp is one with an infrared reflective (IR)
coating. The coating redirects the infrared energy back onto the filament, while
letting the visible energy pass through the coating. The redirected (or recycled)
infrared energy improves the output to approximately 82% infrared heat and 18%
visible light - instead of the 90-10 heat to light ratio of a standard lamp.

ADVANTAGES
a. Halogen Lamps are small, lightweight

DISADVANTAGES
1. Extremely hot (easily capable of causing
severe burns if the lamp is touched).

b.

Low cost to produce

2. The lamp is sensitive to oils left by the human

skin, if you touch the bulb with your bare hands
the oil left behind will heat up once the bulb is
activated, this oil may cause an imbalance and
result
in
a
rupture
of
the
bulb.

c.

Does
not
use
mercury
like
CFLs(fluorescent) or mercury vapor lights

3. Explosion, the bulb is capable of blowing and

sending hot glass shards outward. A screen or
layer of glass on the outside of the lamp can
protect
users.

d.

Better color temperature than standard

tungsten (2800-3400 Kelvin), it is closer to
sunlight than the more "orangy" standard
tungsten.

e.
f.

Longer life than a conventional incandescent

Instant on to full brightness, no warm up
time, and it is dimmable

APPLICATIONS:
DRAMA
Low voltage halogen lighting can be used to create dramatic contrast - calling
attention to featured artwork in a space.
RETAIL
highlighting merchandise either from track or recessed luminaries
MUSEUMS
lighting artwork and sculpture
RESIDENTIAL
track lighting, recessed lighting
DECORATIVE
pendant lights over surfaces
TASK LIGHTING
reading and other tasks

B. FLUORESCENT LAMPS
PROPERTIES:
Fluorescent lamps produce light by passing an
electric arc through a mixture of an inert gas (argon
or argon / krypton) and mercury (a tiny amount). The
mercury radiates ultraviolet energy that is
transformed to visible light by the PHOSPHOR
coating on the bulb.

Fluorescent lighting is a type of electrical lamp choice that works through the use of mercury
andneon gas, producing a chemical reaction; standard incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, work by
reacting to heat. This type of lighting used to be used only in offices, but is now becoming more and
more popular in homes because of their many advantages. If you are considering it for your home,
here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of this type of lighting to help you decide if it's
right for you.

Fluorescent lamps are more efficient at producing light compared to standard incandescent or even
halogen. In fact, their efficacy is 4-8 times that of the filament sources. Fluorescent lamps have life
ratings from 7,500 hours to 24,000 hours, with a few even beyond that. Life is dependent on many
variables such as lamp type, ballast type, operating environment and how often they are switched on
and off.
There are two general categories of fluorescent lamp:

LINEAR FLUORESCENT

Linear fluorescent lamps come in a range of wattages and

sizes - 4 and 8 foot lamps are most common for
commercial uses such as office buildings and warehouses.

COMPACT FLUORESCENT
operate on the same principle as regular fluorescent, but are
more "compact." CFLs became popular in the mid-to-late
1980's. The original concept was to provide an energy efficient
replacement for incandescent lamps.
An integrated type of CFL combines the lamp and ballast in one
unit, which can be screwed into a standard incandescent lamp
socket.
Some of these are one-piece units while others, where the lamp
and ballast are separate , allow only the lamp to be replaced .
They are meant to be an energy-saving, longer-life alternative to
incandescent lamps. For example, a 60W incandescent with a
life of 1000 hours could be replaced with a 15W screw-based

CFL having 6-10 times the life. These lamps are available in a myriad of sizesand shapes to fit many
applications - table lamps, recessed fixtures, wall sconces, pole lights, etc.

Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) are available for both interior and exterior
use. Exterior CFLs are specially designed to operate properly in cold ambient
temperatures.

ADVANTAGES:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Fluorescent lighting is 66% cheaper than regular lighting while providing the same brightness.
Fluorescent bulbs last longer.
They tend to burn less after continuous use, and can be turn on and off without being afraid of
burning it.
The lights do not give off heat, which makes them great for area lightning and for areas where
additional heat can cause equipment to malfunction or bother the users.

DISADVANTAGES:
1. The initial cost of fluorescent lighting can be up to three times higher than other types of bulbs.
2. Some lighting may require professional installation the first time around, as the electrical
connections are more complex.
3. Some fluorescent bulbs can flicker noticeably and produce an uneven light that may bother some
users. Once the flicking becomes obvious to the eye, there is no choice but to replace the lamp.
4. Fluorescent lighting is often less attractive
APPLICATIONS:
Fluorescent sources can be used in a variety of
applications. These louvered systems provide shielding
to reduce glare for both task and general lighting.

C. HIGH INTENSITY DISCHARGE

PROPERTIES:
HID lamps produce light a different way than the previous lamp types examined. HID light is
produced directly from the arc itself. Due to the high pressure under which these types operate, the arc
becomes extremely intense. Once turned off, it must cool down to reduce the arc tube pressure before
the arc can restrike.
This arc is relatively short (compared to a fluorescent lamp) and therefore it is considered a point
source.
HID lamps are the most powerful of all of the electric light sources. These intense POINT
SOURCES allow a high intensity of light to be projected over long distances. HID is often the best
choice for high ceiling applications and commercial accent lighting, as these lamps can be focused for
accurate placement of light from long distances.
HID also require ballasts, and they take a few seconds to produce light when first turned on because
the ballast needs time to establish the electric arc.

Some HID types have a coating on the inside surface of the

outer bulb to diffuse the light, for applications where a
directed spotlight (produced by a point source) is not desired.
Some coatings are phosphor-based so they can also change
the color of the light along with diffusing it.
Since these sources use an arc, they need a piece of auxiliary
equipment called aBALLAST. Ballast operation is discussed
in another section.

There are three basic types of HID lamps, all operating on the same general principle but producing
dramatically different results:

MERCURY LAMPS

Mercury now has limited use due to its older technology. Most common
application is the familiar "barn light" one can see when traveling
country roads at night. One quirk of these lamps is their survivability they just keep going and going, continually losing light output and
changing color toward an unattractive greenish color. The Federal
Government has mandated the limited use of mercury fixtures to special
applications only.

METAL HALIDE

Developed around 1960, this technology is a big improvement of the mercury lamp. The color
rendering is greatly improved, with CRI ratings from 65 - 95 and a choice of color temperatures is
available. Common applications include:

HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM (HPS)

This variant was developed in the mid-Sixties and is quite different from the previous two. As the
name implies, it uses sodium (and mercury) to produce light with a characteristic golden yellow color.
If you have ever flown in an airplane over a large city at night, then you have seen HPS in roadway,
parking and other applications.
HPS has the highest EFFICACY of all popular light sources, but still is limited in use due to its poor
color (CRI in the low 20's). Finding your blue car in a parking lot could be a challenge. Not all
applications require good color rendering, so HPS is still quite popular, although as metal halide
continually improves, it is replacing HPS in many applications. Some lamp manufacturers offer
improved HPS lamps that are whiter (less yellow) in color appearance and have higher CRI. They
also, however, carry a higher installed cost than standard HPS.
ADVANTAGES:

1.
2.

Relatively long life (5,000 to 24,000+ hrs)

Relatively high lumen output per watt

3.

Relatively small in physical size

DISADVANTAGES:
1.
2.

HID lamps require time to warm up. It varies from lamp to lamp, but the average
warm-up time is two to six minutes.
HID lamps have a "restrike" time, meaning a momentary interruption of current or a
voltage drop too low to maintain the arc will extinguish the lamp.

APPLICATIONS:
Indoor Applications

Retail stores

Atriums
Warehouses and Industrial facilities
Airport terminals

Outdoor Applications

Street lighting

Area Lighting
Sports stadiums
Parking garages and lots
Building faade lighting
Bridges, Tunnels

Airport exterior gate areas

HID lamps are ideal for high ceiling applications, such as the metal halide
used at the Seattle US Bank Centre.

HID
lamp
s
brig
htly
illu
mina
te
the
city
stree
ts of
the
Ginz
a
distr
ict,
Tok
yo,
Japa
n.

D. LED LIGHTS

PROPERTIES:
LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are electronic light sources.
An LED is a semiconductor device that emits visible light of
a certain color. LED lighting is fundamentally different from
conventional light sources such as incandescent, fluorescent,
and gas-discharge lamps. An LED uses no mercury, no lead,
no gas or filament, it has no fragile glass bulb, and it has no
failure-prone moving parts.
An LED is a type of solid-state diode that emits light when voltage is applied. LEDs become
illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material.
LED lighting is more efficient, durable, versatile and longer lasting than incandescent lighting.
Another benefit is that LEDs emit light in a specific direction, whereas a fluorescent lamp is "diffuse"
and emits light and heat in all directions. LED lighting uses both light and energy more efficiently.
ADVANTAGES
1. Energy efficient - LEDs are now capable of outputting 135 lumens/watt
2. Long Lifetime - 50,000 hours or more if properly engineered
3. Rugged - LEDs are also called Solid State Lighting (SSL) as they are made of solid
material with no filament or tube or bulb to break
4. No warm-up period - LEDs light instantly in nanoseconds
5. Not affected by cold temperatures - LEDs like low temperatures and will startup even in
subzero weather
6. Directional - With LEDs you can direct the light where you want it, thus no light is wasted
7. Excellent Color Rendering - LEDs do not wash out colors like other light sources such as
fluorescents, making them perfect for displays and retail applications
8. Environmentally friendly - LEDs contain no mercury or other hazardous substances
9. Controllable - LEDs can be controlled for brightness and color
DISADVANTAGES

1. LEDs are currently more expensive, price per lumen, on an initial capital cost basis, than
more conventional lighting technologies.

2. LED performance largely depends on correctly engineering the fixture to manage the heat
generated by the LED, which causes deterioration of the LED chip itself. Over-driving the
LED or not engineering the product to manage heat in high ambient temperatures may result
in overheating of the LED package, eventually leading to device failure.
3. LEDs must be supplied with the correct voltage and current at a constant flow. This requires
some electronics expertise to design the electronic drivers.

4. LEDs can shift color due to age and temperature. Also two different white LED will have
two different color characteristics, which affect how the light is perceived.
APPLICATIONS:
LED lighting is often used for to provide white lighting but
can also add color and interest to a space.

LUMINAIRES
A.

INDOOR AND RESIDENTIAL

PROPERTIES:
A LUMINAIRE is defined as a device to produce, control, and distribute light.
A complete lighting unit consists of the following components: one or more lamps, optical devices
designed to distribute light, sockets to position and protect the lamps to a supply of electric power, and
the mechanical components required to support or attach the housing.
LUMINAIRES come in many shapes and sizes. They are usually classified according to source,
mounting, construction, application and/or by photometric characteristics.
TYPES:

SURFACE MOUNTED
These luminaires can provide general or ambient lighting
with the added feature that some of the light can be
emitted upward to produce some ceiling brightness,
making the space look more open and larger. Lamps are
often concealed behind glass or plasticDIFFUSERS or
other types of lenses which help to reduce glare and
distribute the light into the space below.

RECESSED DOWNLIGHTS
Recessed downlights are almost entirely hidden in the ceiling.
The electrical components are contained in "housings" which
conceal mechanical parts above the ceiling or behind the wall. A
discrete aperture attaches to the housing, from which the light is
directed into the room below. Recessed downlights often provide
general or ambient lighting, but are also available as adjustable
luminaires which may be used to deliver intense beams for accent
lighting.

TRACK
Track lighting refers to a system that includes luminaires (track
heads) and a track or rail that is designed to provide mounting
and deliver power. Track systems can be used in homes or in a
range of commercial applications. These adjustable luminaires
can be moved anywhere along the track system. This provides
the flexibility required for lighting dynamic displays in galleries,
museums and retail
Stores.

WALLWASHERS
Wallwash luminaires are used to produce a
distribution of light that changes gradually
from high levels at the top of the wall to lower
levels at the bottom of the wall. Wall washers
can be recessed, track mounted or surface
mounted and are a common luminaire choice
for perimeter lighting. These are very
common in retail and other light commercial
applications, as well as some residential

applications.
Luminaire manufacturers generally provide spacing criteria required for the even distribution of light
along the length of a wall or large vertical surface.

DECORATIVE (ACCENT) LUMINAIRES

These luminaires are either themselves ornamental or are designed to
produce patterns of light that are ornamental. They can be ceiling
recessed, surface mounted or wall mounted, with lamps that are
adjustable or fixed.

INDIRECT

Common in office environments, indirect luminaires can use diffuse or point sources to provide
virtually shadow-free general or ambient lighting. Fluorescent is the most common light source for
these types of luminaires.
REFLECTORS are used to help them produce a wide distribution of light, typical in office

environments. Pendants or cables usually suspend them from the ceiling, but some types are postmounted from the floor. Direct-Indirect luminaires are similar to the suspended indirect but provide
some downward directed light.

COVE
These luminaires are designed to be placed in an
architectural cove or to have a shape such that when
mounted on a wall they look like a COVE, producing a
similar lighting effect. The simplest form of this luminaire
is a fluorescent strip, but more elaborate forms provide
reflectors to control near-wall and ceiling brightness.
LEDs lamps are another common choice for cove lighting
because of their long life. Changing lamps in a cove
application can be a difficult and expensive maintenance
procedure.

STAGE

Stage luminaires are common in theaters and television studios for

lighting stage sets and people, and are designed to provide tight optical
control and maximum mounting flexibility. Stage lighting may look
similar to commercial track lighting used in high-end retail and

museum applications, but are not always illuminated to a "track" or electrical raceway. Because of
their large size and weight, they are often individually electrified and secured to pipe sections with a
strong clamp.

ADVANTAGES:
Good balance between ambient illumination of the room and accent lighting.
Relatively good energy efficiency even in large spaces.
The smaller direct component required makes it easier to control reflective glare in computer
screens.
Renders three dimensional objects well without harsh shadows.

Disadvantages:

Relatively high installation and maintenance costs.

Users often need instruction on how to use the system effectively.

APPLICATIONS:
PENDANT LIGHTS
Decorative pendants can provide
ambient and task lighting,
while also contributing to the color
and dcor in any room.

SCONCE LIGHT

MOUNTED LIGHTS

RECESSED
LUMINAIRES

Recessed luminaires can

be used to add subtle
accent lighting while
adding
warm
and
dimension to living
spaces.

B.

COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTIES:
Luminaires that are designed for outdoor,
industrial
and
demanding
commercial
applications have more complex performance
requirements. Lamp and ballast operation
under a wide range of conditions such as cold
temperatures, long hours of operation
and DIRT DEPRECIATION are important
aspects of their construction.

MAIN CATEGORIES

HIGH BAY

High bay luminaires (as seen above) typically use High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps to provide
general lighting for industrial areas. They can be pendant or surface-mounted and use reflectors and
refractors to produce a wide variety of lighting distribution options for high ceilings and mounting
heights.

Low Bay
Low bay luminaires are similar, but usually have wider distributions for areas with lower ceiling
heights. Light sources are typically HID or high wattage compact fluorescents.
ADVANTAGES:
Good balance between ambient illumination of the room and accent lighting.
Relatively good energy efficiency even in large spaces.
The smaller direct component required makes it easier to control reflective glare in computer
screens.
Renders three dimensional objects well without harsh shadows.

Disadvantages:

Relatively high installation and maintenance costs.

Users often need instruction on how to use the system effectively.

APPLICATIONS:
STRIP OR INDUSTRIAL
These luminaires are often designed forHIGH-OUTPUT (HO)
FLUORESCENT LAMPSand are typically found in
warehouses or factories. "Industrials" are practical and
economical luminaires, which usually have a simple reflector
attached to the ballast housing.

EMERGENCY AND EXIT

Emergency lighting luminaires are designed to provide enough light

for egress in emergency situations. These luminaires are usually on an
electrical circuit that has backup power in the event the main power
fails. Since emergency lights must turn on instantly, not all HID lamps
can be used for this application.
Exit luminaires help direct building occupants to a fire exit. Long life
sources such as LEDs and compact fluorescents are preferred since
these luminaires are energized 24/7.

FLOODLIGHTS
Floodlight luminaires are frequently used for building
faade lighting and general area lighting. Exterior
building lighting can require luminaires with either
narrow or wide distribution, depending on the mounting
height and area to be lighted.
Column lighting, accent lighting and distant mounting
locations require narrow distributions. Sports lighting
luminaires are notable for precise beam control and sharp cut-off angles - necessary for
controlling LIGHT TRESPASS, minimizing glare, and ensuring observer and player comfort.

PATHWAY AND LANDSCAPE

Lighting for walkways and the grounds of
commercial buildings is often accomplished with
bollards for localized lighting. Post-top luminaires are
also used for path lighting as well as surface mounted
and recessed step lights. Other accent-type luminaires
can be used to mimic moonlighting effects,
highlighting trees, shrubbery and other landscaping.
These are similar in appearance to adjustable low
voltage track lighting, but are made of tougher, waterproof construction.
Pathway lighting allows safe egress on the grounds of hotels and other commercial buildings during
the evening hours, and can also provide guests with a sense of safety and security.
STREETS AND ROADWAYS
These luminaires are usually mounted on arms on a pole or post-top mounted, and designed to
produce reasonably uniform lighting. These cobra-head-looking luminaires, for instance, provide wide
distributions to permit extended pole spacing.
Well-shielded luminaires are also available from most roadway lighting manufacturers for applications
where a more controlled distribution is needed to minimize glare and light trespass.

LIGHTING BALLAST
Ballasts are buried deep within a luminaire,
and insure the lamp receives the correct
amount of electricity for starting, and then the
correct amount once it is operating. There are
two
basic
categories
of
ballasts
- electronic andelectromagnetic (or
simply
magnetic.)
The electromagnetic ballast was the original
type introduced along with the first fluorescent
lamp. Since then, electronic versions were
developed to replace and improve upon the
older technology.
The electromagnetic ballast was the original
type introduced along with the first fluorescent lamp. Since then, electronic versions were developed
to replace and improve upon the older technology.

Electromagnetic
ballasts
are
basically
transformers made with a steel core that is
wrapped with wire and placed in a metal can. The
core is made up of stacked steel laminations.
Insulated wire, made of copper or aluminum, is
coiled around the core (see above.) These
components act as a current-limiting choke. They
also produce heat.
The components are encased in a potting
material, which is normally asphalt, which conducts the heat away from the coils to prevent early
failure and to lessen noise.
ELECTRONIC BALLAST
Electronic ballasts, while a little more costly than
electromagnetic, bring additional benefits that usually justify
their higher price. This is not to say that electromagnetic
ballasts are no longer around. Quite the contrary - they are still
quite popular for many outdoor fluorescent applications like
sign lighting and for most HID lamps (there are electronic
ballasts for some low wattage - 150W and below - HID lamps).
Electronic ballasts are designed using solid-state circuitry. The
current through the lamp operates at a much higher frequency
and produces less audible noise. They also operate cooler and

are more flexible. For example, fluorescent electronic ballasts for T8 lamps are available in 1-, 2-, 3-,
and 4-lamp versions. Any one of those can operate multiple lamp lengths from 2-foot through 5-foot
types. You can even mix lengths on the same ballast.
ADVANTAGES:

provide necessary electrical conditions to start and operate lamps.

Two general categories - electromagnetic (or just "magnetic") and electronic.

Almost all new fluorescent luminaires today use electronic ballasts.
Lamps and ballasts are generally matched to ensure electrical compatibility.

DISADVANTAGES:
Increased cost
Unproven reliability
Increased ballast case size and weight
Variations in ballast factor for different lamp types
Lower efficacy
APPLICATIONS

Ballasts can be installed and wired to control two or four lamps in a

typical fluorescent four-lamp troffer, allowing 50% of the light to be
switched off for energy savings. Dimming ballasts are also available
which provide additional control and efficiency.