JHIM BRIAN E.

LUAY MEEN 3512 JULY 27, 2019

BSME-V INDUSTRIAL PROCESS ENGR. CRUZAT
Fluorescents are a large family of light sources. A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent
tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to
produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, which
produces short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor coating on the inside
of the lamp to glow. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical energy into useful light much
more efficiently than incandescent lamps. The typical luminous efficacy of fluorescent
lighting systems is 50–100 lumens per watt, several times the efficacy of incandescent
bulbs with comparable light output.

Three main types of fluorescent lamps: 

 Cold cathode, 

A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) is a lighting system that uses two
phenomena: electron discharge and fluorescence. CCFLs are mainly used as
light sources for backlights, because they are smaller and have longer lifetimes
than ordinary fluorescent lamps. A wide range of brightness and color (color
temperature and chromaticity) can be achieved by varying the type and pressure
of the material injected into the glass tube, as well as the thickness and type of
the phosphor used to coat the inner wall of the tube. CCFLs can also be formed
into a wide range of shapes and sizes depending on the application.
 Hot cathode,

Hot cathode or thermionic cathode is a cathode electrode which is

heated to make it emit electronsdue to thermionic emission. This is in contrast to
a cold cathode, which does not have a heating element. The heating element is
usually an electrical filament heated by a separate electric current passing
through it. Hot cathodes typically achieve much higher power density than cold
cathodes, emitting significantly more electrons from the same surface area. 

 Electroluminescent
Electroluminescence (EL) is an optical phenomenon and electrical
phenomenon in which a material emits light in response to the passage of
an electric current or to a strong electric field. This is distinct from black body light
emission resulting from heat (incandescence), a chemical reaction
(chemiluminescence), sound (sonoluminescence), or other mechanical action
(mechanoluminescence).
History of Fluorescent Lamps
The standard fluorescent lamp was developed for commercial use during the 1930's.
The idea of the fluorescent lamp had been around since the 1880's however it took
steady work over the decades to finally create a working commercially viable model.
Many, not one single inventor, did this work.
Common uses: 

lamps both outdoor and indoor, backlight for LCD displays, decorative lighting and
signs, both high bay and small area general lighting. Not used for lighting from afar due
to diffused nature of the light.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages -Energy efficient, so far the best light for interior lighting
  -Low production cost (of tubes, not of the ballasts)
-Long life of tubes
-Good selection of desired color temperature (cool whites to warm whites) 
-Diffused Light (good for general, even lighting, reducing harsh shadows)
Disadvantages -Flicker of the high frequency can be irritating to humans (eye strain, headaches,
migraines)
-Flicker of common fluorescent light looks poor on video, and creates an ugly
greenish or yellow hue on camera
-Diffused Light (not good when you need a focused beam such as in a headlight or
flashlight)
-Poorly/cheaply designed ballasts can create radio interference that disturbs other
electronics
-Poorly/cheaply designed ballasts can create fires when they overheat
-There is a small amount of mercury in the tubes
-Irritating flicker at the end of the life cycle
 Safety Precautions

WARNING
• Do not cover the lamp with paper or fabric, or place it close to flammable objects while lit up.
The heated bulb will pose a fire hazard.
Caution

• Do not drop the lamp, expose it to impact with hard objects, handle it with force, or scratch the
surface. The broken bulb may cause injuries.
• When replacing the bulb, check the rating (voltage and wattage) and socket base design of the
new bulb. Ensure the new bulb in positioned correctly and snap it firmly into the socket. A
loosely fitted bulb may come out of the socket, or overheat.
• Do not touch the bulb with your bare hands and avoid direct contact with the skin while the
lamp is lit up or just after turning it off. The hot bulb may cause burns.
• Before replacing the bulb, turn off the lamp, and let the bulb cool down. The hot bulb may cause
burns.
• After replacing the bulb, check to ensure no portion of the light fixtures or electric cord is
touching the bulb. If this occurs, the heated fixtures or cord may cause a fire.
• Dispose of the used bulb on an as•is basis. If the bulb is shattered, the broken pieces of glass
may cause injuries.
• Keep the bulb out of reach of infants and small children. They may swallow it.
Notes in use and design

• Double check the rating (voltage and wattage) of the lamp for applications other than in-vehicle
use.
• Never paint the lamp.
• Avoid handling the lamp together with water or oil, or with dirty hands or contaminated gloves.
• Take sufficient consideration of the conditions of use when designing the lighting equipment.
The performance will be significantly dependent on the operation status.
• Design the lighting equipment so that the components are not splashed with water, and free
from condensation.
Manufacturing Process

The central element in a fluorescent lamp is a sealed glass tube. The tube contains a
small bit of mercury and an inert gas, typically argon, kept under very low pressure. The tube
also contains a phosphor powder, coated along the inside of the glass. The tube has
two electrodes, one at each end, which are wired to an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit,
which we'll examine later, is hooked up to an alternating current (AC) supply.
In manufacturing fluorescent tubes the first step is from the long glass tube it is heated in for a
short period of time then it cut into the designated sizes of glass tube. Second step is the
trimming of the edge of the glass tube to remove sharp edges and maintain the right size. Then
the glass is heated again to form the end of glass tube. Next step is the glass is coated with
phospors, (phospors are substances that give off light when they are exposed to light). Next
step is the inserting the filament or electrode to the glass tube. Then the filament is sealed into
the tubes to prevent the leaking of inert gas (typically argon to maintain under very low
pressure) and mercury. Next is the filling up the small amount of mercury into the tube it is the
gas that gives of the light when and energy is connected. While filling up with mercury the both
electrode is heated up to test if there are enough mercury vapor inserted if it is enough the
glass tube will glow even if not connected to power source. And for the last part is the inserting
of the external caps with pins which are designated for the lamp holders.

cutting of removing of the heated to

sharp edges of form the end of
glass tube glass tube glass tube

coating of inserting of sealing of

glass tube filament in the filament and
glass tube electrode
with phospors

inserting the heating to check

inserting the
caps with pins
small amount the amount of
of the
mercury
of mercury fluorescent tube