DEFINITION

Low pressure sodium lamps are used in outdoor lighting of some parking areas and
bridge underpasses. The very yellow color does not attract insects but it distorts colors.
While these lamps are highly energy-efficient they are rarely used because all objects under
their light appear to be yellow or yellow-gray.
High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps are part of the family of high intensity light bulbs
that put out large amounts of light generally needed for street lighting and security
lighting. The combination of metals and gasses within inside the glass tube produces an
orange-white light commonly found in street lights.
CONSTRUCTION

Working Principle

In low-pressure sodium lamps, the discharge takes place in vaporized sodium.

The low-pressure sodium discharge emits monochromatic radiation in the visible
range. Therefore, unlike low-pressure mercury lamps, they do not need fluorescent
powders to convert the wavelength of the radiation.
High voltage energy is sent through ignitor through the arc tube. Firstly, the pulse starts an
arc through the xenon gas which makes the lamp turns sky blue due to xenon lighting up.
After that the arc then heats up the mercury and the mercury vapor then lights, giving the
lamp a bluish color.
ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE
high pressure sodium lamp and electrodeless lamp advantages and disadvantages: high
pressure sodium lamp compared with energy-saving lamps, has a short service life, low
light efficiency, poor color rendering and low power factor, not hot start, low flux
stability, faults, the only advantage is cheap.
Low pressure sodium lamp advantages

 Most energy efficient light source commercially available, with an efficacy of 100 to
185 lumens per watt.
 Lamps have average life in the 14,000 to 18,000 hour range and have excellent
lumen maintenance (very little reduction in lumen output over life of lamp).
 Most lamps will restart immediately after interruption of power supply, but require
some time to come up to full brightness.
 Provides superior uniformity of light distribution over all HID lamps.

Disadvantages

 These lamps have poor color rendering characteristics. It is almost impossible to

distinguish colors under an LPS lamp because light produced by this source is
monochromatic (a single color).
 Most expensive lamp to install.
  Run time to full light output is the longest (7 to 15 minutes).
 Wattage will increase over the life of the lamp to maintain lumen output.
 Requires special disposal considerations.

Application

Low pressure sodium lamps are used in outdoor lighting of some parking areas and
bridge underpasses. The very yellow color does not attract insects but it distorts colors.
While these lamps are highly energy-efficient they are rarely used because all objects under
their light appear to be yellow or yellow-gray.
High pressure sodium lamps are used in outdoor lighting of streets and parking lots and
in indoor settings where color rendering is not critical. These indoor settings include
warehouse and shipping areas and some manufacturing areas.