ELECTRICAL LIGHTING MATERIALS

Incandescent Lamp

Fluorescent Lamp

MERCURY LAMP
Metal Halide Lamp

High Pressure Sodium Lamp

Low Pressure Sodium Lamp

Tungsten-Halogen Lamp

Lighting Fixtures

MERCURY LAMP
Mercury lamp is a combination of the arc discharge characteristics
of a fluorescent lamp and the compact focusable shape of an
incandescent lamp. Mercury vapor lamps are more energy efficient than
incandescent and most fluorescent lights, with luminous efficacies of 35 to
65 lumens/watt.

Special Features of Mercury Lamp

1. It is available in wide variety of shape, size, and color with rating from
50 to 150 watts.
2. It requires ballast that could be mounted away from the lamp.
3. Because of its high efficiency, mercury lamp is a good replacement for
incandescent lamp in the conservation of energy.
4. Dimming of mercury lamp is possible with a dimming ballast.

PREPARED BY: ENGR JENNICA B. DAGDAG

 Lamp Life of a Mercury Lamp

1. The lamp life of a mercury lamp is extremely long with an

average of 24,000 hours based on 10 burning hours per start.
2. Mercury lamp is not suitable for installation which is subject to
constant switching. Thus, long period of burning per start is
preferred.
3. The life of lamp if affected by:
a. Ambient temperature
b. Line voltage
c. Ballast design
4. Lamp is replaced if accelerated lumens depreciation is near
the end of its life span.
5. Clear lamp bas the best lumen maintenance; followed by the
color improves and phosphors coated units.

The Ballast

A ballast interacts with the lighting mechanism itself to control, regulate, and ultimately stabilize the
light output of the lamp. The basic ballast is a simple reactor that controls the arc after the discharge
bas been initiated. The lamp requires 3 to 6 minutes after switching on to reach the full output.

Types of Ballast

1. Reactor Ballast is a low power factor and does not require voltage regulation. This is only used
where line voltage fluctuation does not exceed plus or minus 5%.
2. Auto Transformer Ballast is a reactor unit with transformer to match line voltage to lamp
voltage. It has a low power factor and non-regulating.
3. High Power Factor Auto Transformer Ballast is the same as type 2 except the additional
capacitor to improve the power factor.
4. Constant Wattage Auto Transformer Ballast is also called Lead Circuit Ballast. A regulating high
power factor unit that maintains lamp voltage making wattage and lumen output constant.
The lamp wattage varies from 5% with a 10% voltage change.

Dimming Ballast

Dimming of mercury lamp is possible by using a dimmer ballast and a solid-state dimming
control available tot 400-700 and 1000 Watts. A little use but effective and economical output
PREPARED BY: ENGR JENNICA B. DAGDAG
 reduction process, could be done by simply changing the circuit capacitance with an
amount depending upon the lamp size and ballast type. As such, the lamp wattage and
output can be reduced by approximately 50% with no adverse effect on lamp or ballast.

Special Type of Mercury Lamp

A small-mercury lamp to replace interior incandescent lamps are available in 40; 50; 75 to
100 and 175 watts, sizes in deluxe white, and other color -corrected design.

Self-Ballast Lamp (un-ballasted) is available on where ballast mounting is impractical and

inconvenient. Small size mercury · lamps are also available to replace incandescent lamps.
However, where a self-ballasted mercury. lamp is contemplated, fluorescent lamp is a better
choice considering the following advantages:

1. Lower in cost 4. Good color

2. Longer life 5. More attractive
3. High efficiency 6. Lower energy cost

PREPARED BY: ENGR JENNICA B. DAGDAG