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A Comprehensive Study of Various Lamps Through Energy Flow Diagrams

(EFDs)

Conference Paper · May 2011

DOI: 10.13140/2.1.4845.1528

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A Comprehensive Study of Various Lamps Through
Energy Flow Diagrams (EFDs)
Sumit Kushwaha
ECE Department, Shepherd School of Engineering & Technology,
Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad, U.P., INDIA
sumit.kushwaha1@gmail.com
Abstract— In present time, we are the daily user of light
(electricity). At the rising age of civilization, human being
created light solely from fire, though it is more a source of heat
than light. We are still using the same principle even in the 21st
century to produce some light and more heat through
incandescent lamps. Lighting energy consumption contributes
to 20 to 45% in commercial buildings and about 3 to 10% in
industrial plants and others. Most industrial and commercial
energy users are aware of energy savings in lighting systems.
This is a comprehensive study paper which shows the
distribution of energy in various lamps with the help of Energy
Flow Diagrams (EFDs).
Keywords- Incandescent Light Bulb, Fluorescent Lamp,
Mercury Vapor Lamp, High Pressure Sodium Lamp, Low
Pressure Sodium Lamp, EFDs.
INTRODUCTION
From the dawn of civilization until recent times, human
beings created light solely from fire, though it is more a
source of heat than light. We are still using the same
principle even in the 21st century to produce some light and
more heat through incandescent lamps. Only in the past few
decades have lighting products become much more
sophisticated and varied. For example, considerable
chemistry and physics are required to create an electric arc
within a fluorescent lamp, and then to convert the energy
from that arc into useful light. Lighting energy consumption
contributes to 20 to 45% in commercial buildings and about
3 to 10% in industrial plants. Most industrial and
commercial energy users are aware of energy savings in
lighting systems. Manufacturers are aggressively marketing
their products these days and help the users to take a
decision [1, 2]. Most outdoor electrical lighting is used for
general illumination, to provide simple visibility for
pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists. It enables people to see
essential detail to undertake activities at night. Other reasons
to use outdoor lighting include enhancing people’s feeling
of security, emphasizing significant details of buildings or
landscape, and advertising. There are also some reasons to
ineffective outdoor lighting: Bright lights shining into a
neighbor’s home can be annoying, Glare can cause
temporary blindness that has resulted in vehicular accidents,
Biological studies show that artificial lighting adversely
affects the behavior of some wildlife, and Many security
experts believe that the deep shadows created by bright
lighting gives criminals hiding places that would not be
available with lower-intensity lighting or lights that come on
when motion is detected. For indoor lights that shine past
the property line: Move the lamp away from the window or
doorway through which it shines. Replace the bulb with a
lower wattage or less luminous bulb. Block the light with
heavier curtains, drapes, or blinds. For outside lights that
shine past the property line: Turn the light off at 9:00 p.m.
Use a flashlight shining toward the ground for short outside
trips. Adjust the fixture so that the light is directed down
instead of up or out. Replace the bulb with a yellow “bug”
light or other lamp with lower luminescence. Paint inside
the top and sides of the globe or other fixture to better direct
where the light shines. [3] Luminous efficacy of a light
source is a ratio of the visible light energy emitted (the
luminous flux) to the total power input to the lamp. Visible
light is measured in lumens, a unit which is defined in part
by the differing sensitivity of the human eye to different
wavelengths of light. Not all wavelengths of visible
electromagnetic energy are equally effective at stimulating
the human eye; the luminous efficacy of radiant energy is a
measure of how well the distribution of energy matches the
perception of the eye. The maximum efficacy possible is
683 lm/W for monochromatic green light at 555
nanometers wavelength, the peak sensitivity of the human
eye. For white light, the maximum luminous efficacy is
around 240 lumens per watt, but the exact value is not
unique because the human eye can perceive many different
mixtures of visible light as white.
INCANDESCENT LIGHT BULB
The incandescent light bulb (or, incandescent light
globe) makes light by heating a metal filament wire to a
high temperature until it glows [4]. The hot filament is
protected from air by a glass bulb that is filled with inert gas
or evacuated. The light bulb is supplied with electrical
current by feed-through terminals or wires embedded in the
glass. Most bulbs are used in a socket which supports the
bulb mechanically and connects the current supply to the
bulb's electrical terminals. Incandescent bulbs are produced
in a wide range of sizes, light output, and voltage ratings,
from 1.5 volts to about 300 volts. They require no external
regulating equipment, have low manufacturing costs, and
work equally well on either alternating current or direct
current. As a result, the incandescent lamp is widely used in
household and commercial lighting, for portable lighting
such as table lamps, car headlamps, and flashlights, and for
decorative and advertising lighting. Approximately 90% of
the power consumed by an incandescent light bulb is
emitted as heat, rather than as visible light. The
effectiveness of an electric lighting source is determined by
two factors: the relative visibility of electromagnetic
radiation, and the rate at which the source converts electric
power into electromagnetic radiation [10].
Figure (1): An Incandescent light bulb
The initial cost of an incandescent bulb is small
compared to the cost of the energy it uses over its lifetime.
A comparison of incandescent lamp operating cost with
other light sources must consider the luminous efficacy
produced by each lamp. The comparison must include
illumination requirements, capital cost of the lamp, labor
cost to replace lamps, various depreciation factors for light
output as the lamp ages, effect of lamp operation on heating
and air conditioning systems, and energy consumption as
well [13].
Figure (2): Energy Distribution Diagram of Incandescent
light bulb
FLUORESCENT LAMP
A fluorescent lamp (or, fluorescent tube) is a gas-discharge
lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The
excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light
that then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible
light. [5] A fluorescent lamp converts electrical power into
useful light more efficiently than an incandescent lamp.
Lower energy cost typically offsets the higher initial cost of
the lamp. The lamp fixture is more costly because it requires
a ballast to regulate the current through the lamp. While
larger fluorescent lamps have been mostly used in
commercial or institutional buildings, the compact
fluorescent lamp is now available in the same popular sizes
as incandescent and is used as an energy-saving alternative
in homes. Incandescent light bulbs are gradually being
replaced in many applications by fluorescent lamps. These
newer technologies improve the ratio of visible light to heat
generation. Some jurisdictions, such as the European Union,
are in the process of phasing out the use of incandescent
light bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient lighting [12].
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
classifies fluorescent lamps as hazardous waste, and
recommends that they be segregated from general waste for
recycling or safe disposal. A fluorescent lamp tube is filled
with a gas containing low pressure mercury vapor and
argon, xenon, neon, or krypton. The pressure inside the
lamp is around 0.3% of atmospheric pressure. The inner
surface of the bulb is coated with a fluorescent (and often
slightly phosphorescent) coating made of varying blends of
metallic and rare-earth phosphor salts. The bulb's electrodes
are typically made of coiled tungsten and usually referred to
as cathodes because of their prime function of emitting
electrons. For this, they are coated with a mixture of barium,
strontium and calcium oxides chosen to have a low
thermionic emission temperature.
Figure (3): Fluorescent lamp [8]
Fluorescent lamp tubes are typically straight and range
in length from about 100 millimeters (3.9 in) for miniature
lamps, to 2.43 meters (8.0 ft) for high-output lamps. Some
lamps have the tube bent into a circle, used for table lamps
or other places where a more compact light source is
desired. Larger U-shaped lamps are used to provide the
same amount of light in a more compact area, and are used
for special architectural purposes. Compact fluorescent
lamps have several small-diameter tubes joined in a bundle
of two, four, or six, or a small diameter tube coiled into a
spiral, to provide a high amount of light output in little
volume [14].
Fluorescent bulbs are about four times as efficient as
incandescent ones. The best compact fluorescent sources
have several advantages over metal halide: longer life, a
much shorter warm-up time to full brightness, ability to be
switched on and off without shortening bulb life, and a
white light that is less polluting than that produced by metal
halide. The primary disadvantage of this type of bulb is that
it is somewhat undependable at very low temperatures. The
bulbs also need precise voltage amounts to work properly,
and a dimmer mechanism, (even if not dimmed) will cause a
fluorescent bulb to fail within hours [13].
Figure (4): Energy distribution diagram of Fluorescent lamp
MERCURY VAPOR LAMP
A mercury-vapor lamp is a gas discharge lamp that uses
mercury in an excited state to produce light. The arc
discharge is generally confined to a small fused quartz arc
tube mounted within a larger borosilicate glass bulb. The
outer bulb may be clear or coated with a phosphor; in either
case, the outer bulb provides thermal insulation, protection
from ultraviolet radiation, and a convenient mounting for
the fused quartz arc tube. Mercury vapor lamps (and their
relatives) are often used because they are relatively efficient.
Phosphor coated bulbs offer better color rendition than
either high- or low-pressure sodium vapor lamps. Mercury
vapor lamps also offer a very long lifetime, as well as
intense lighting for several special purpose applications [6].
Figure (5): Mercury vapor lamp
The outer bulb is filled with nitrogen and encloses the
inner arc tube with contains high purity mercury and organs
gas. As the circuit is energizing, the starting voltage is
provided across the starting electrode and organ arc. This
increases heating and vaporized the mercury. The ionized
mercury decreases the resistance across the main electrodes
and causes the main arc to strike. Now it is four different
colours of mercury vapor lamps are manufactured: clean (it
contains blues, green colour characteristics), colour
improved (it contains phosphorous coating), deluxe white
(high phosphorous coating reduces more white and improve
overall colour), and warm deluxe white (it is very high
phosphor coating produces to much red colour. So it reduces
luminous intensity). Mercury vapor lamp takes about 5 to 7
sec minimum to warm up depend upon the ambient
temperature. Mercury vapor lamp takes about availability
about 40 to 1000 watts range average length 24000 hrs.
Figure (6): Energy distribution diagram of Mercury Vapor
Lamp
SODIUM VAPOR LAMP
A sodium vapor lamp is a gas discharge lamp that uses
sodium in an excited state to produce light. There are two
varieties of such lamps: low pressure and high pressure.
Because sodium vapor lamps cause less light pollution than
mercury-vapor lamps, many cities that have large
astronomical observatories employ them [7].
A. Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) Lamp
Low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamps have borosilicate
glass gas discharge tube (arc tube) containing solid sodium
and a small amount of neon and argon gas penning mixture
to start the gas discharge. The discharge tube may be linear
(SLI lamp) or U-shaped. When the lamp is turned on it
emits a dim red/pink light to warm the sodium metal and
within a few minutes it turns into the common bright yellow
as the sodium metal vaporizes. These lamps produce a
virtually monochromatic light averaging a 589.3 nm
wavelength (actually two dominant spectral lines very close
together at 589.0 and 589.6 nm). As a result, the colors of
illuminated objects are not easily distinguished because they
are seen almost entirely by their reflection of this narrow
bandwidth yellow light.
 LPS lamps have an outer glass vacuum envelope around
the inner discharge tube for thermal insulation, which
improves their efficiency. Earlier types of LPS lamps had a
detachable dewar jacket (SO lamps). Lamps with a
permanent vacuum envelope (SOI lamps) were developed to
improve thermal insulation. Further improvement was
attained by coating the glass envelope with an infrared
reflecting layer of indium tin oxide, resulting in SOX lamps.
Figure (7): Low Pressure Sodium Lamp [9]
LPS lamps are the most efficient electrically-powered
light source when measured for photopic lighting
conditions—up to 200 lm/W, primarily because the output
is light at a wavelength near the peak sensitivity of the
human eye. As a result they are widely used for outdoor
lighting such as street lights and security lighting where
faithful color rendition was once considered unimportant.
Recently, however, it has been found that under mesopic
conditions typical of nighttime driving, whiter light can
provide better results at lower wattages. LPS lamps are
more closely related to fluorescent than high intensity
discharge lamps because they have a low–pressure, low–
intensity discharge source and a linear lamp shape. Also like
fluorescents they do not exhibit a bright arc as do other HID
lamps; rather they emit a softer luminous glow, resulting in
less glare. Unlike HID lamps, which can go out during a
voltage dip, low pressure sodium lamps restrike to full
brightness rapidly. LPS lamps are available with power
ratings from 10 W up to 180 W; however, longer bulb
lengths create design and engineering problems [12].
Figure (8): Energy distribution diagram of Low Pressure
Sodium Lamp
Another unique property of LPS lamps is that, unlike other
lamp types, they do not decline in lumen output with age.
As an example, mercury vapor HID lamps become very dull
towards the end of their lives, to the point of being
ineffective, while continuing to consume full rated electrical
use. LPS lamps, however, do increase energy usage slightly
(about 10%) towards their end of life, which is generally
around 18,000 hours for modern lamps.
B. High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamp
High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps are smaller and
contain additional elements such as mercury, and produce a
dark pink glow when first struck, and a pinkish orange light
when warmed. Some bulbs also briefly produce a pure to
bluish white light in between. This is probably from the
mercury glowing before the sodium is completely warmed.
[11] The sodium D-line is the main source of light from the
HPS lamp, and it is extremely pressure broadened by the
high sodium pressures in the lamp; because of this
broadening and the emissions from mercury, colors of
objects under these lamps can be distinguished. This leads
them to be used in areas where good color rendering is
important, or desired. Thus, its new model name SON is the
variant for "sun" (a name used primarily in Europe and the
UK). HPS Lamps are favoured by indoor gardeners for
general growing because of the wide colour-temperature
spectrum produced and the relatively efficient cost of
running the lights. High pressure sodium lamps are quite
efficient—about 100 lm/W—when measured for photopic
lighting conditions. The higher powered versions of 600 W
have an efficacy of even 150lm/W. They have been widely
used for outdoor lighting such as streetlights and security
lighting. Understanding the change in human color vision
sensitivity from photonic to mesopic and scotopic is
essential for proper planning when designing lighting for
roads.
Figure (9): High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lamp
Because of the extremely high chemical activity of the
high pressure sodium arc, the arc tube is typically made of
translucent aluminium oxide. This construction led General
Electric to use the tradename "Lucalox" for their line of
high-pressure sodium lamps. Xenon at a low pressure is
used as a "starter gas" in the HPS lamp. It has the lowest
thermal conductivity and lowest ionization potential of all
 the non-radioactive noble gases. As a noble gas, it does not Other reasons to use outdoor lighting include enhancing
interfere with the chemical reactions occurring in the people’s feeling of security, emphasizing significant details
operating lamp. The low thermal conductivity minimizes of buildings or landscape, and advertising. EFDs also
thermal losses in the lamp while in the operating state, and indicate that this valuable amount of losses must be
the low ionization potential causes the breakdown voltage of minimized to save the energy and this is also a hot research
the gas to be relatively low in the cold state, which allows area for the researchers.
the lamp to be easily started.
REFERENCES
[1] Designing with Light- A lighting Handbook - Anil Walia-
International Lighting Academy
[2] Handbook of Functional requirements on Industrial Buildings-SP-32-
Bureau of Indian Standards
[3] www.darksky.org (International Dark Skies Association), Information
on other dark sky initiatives and numerous links to background
information and supplie
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incandescent_light_bulb
[5] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent_lamp
[6] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_vapor_lamp
[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_pressure_sodium_lamp
[8] http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/fluorescent-lamp-starter.gif
Figure (10): Energy distribution diagram of High Pressure [9] http://www.lamptech.co.uk/Images/Illustrations/SO%20Lamp.jpg
Sodium Lamp [10] Degefa, Zenebe, et. al., “Investigation on nature of waste heat from
Incandescent Light Bulbs”, 2011 IEEE.
[11] Zhang et. al. , “Design and Performance of Digital Ballast for HPS
Lamps”, IEEE 2003.
III. CONCLUSION
[12] Brown et. al. , “A Survey Seeking a Definition of a Smart
This paper shows the energy distribution in various lamps Distribution System”, Division of Engineering, Colorado School of
with the help of EFDs. EFDs represent the step by step Mines, Golden, CO 80401.
energy distribution from the starting of various lamps (i.e. [13] H. Brown, and S. Suryanarayanan, "A Survey on Smart Distribution
Systems," Survey Gizmo. [Online] Available:
ON stage). EFDs show also about the various types of http://www.surveygizmo.com/s/129727/a-survey-on-smart-
losses for which we see that a valuable amount of energy is distributionsystems-2009.
going to be waste. Normally, most outdoor electrical [14] T. F. Wu, M. C. Chiang, and E. B. Chang, “Analysis and design of a
lighting is used for general illumination, to provide simple high power factor, single stage electronic ballast with dimming
visibility for pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorists. It enables feature,” in Proc. IEEE Applied Power Electron. Conf. (APEC’97),
Mar. 1997, pp. 1030–1036.
people to see essential detail to undertake activities at night.

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