CERTIFICATE IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT AND FAULT DIAGNOSIS

MODULE 2

CAT 1

Time duration;-1 hour 30 minutes

QUESTION ONE

a) Describe with a neat sketch the principle of operation of a fluorescent lamp. Mention
the function of each component. (6 marks)

Sketch

The fluorescent lamp is a form of low-pressure mercury discharge lamp. It usually takes the
form of a long glass tube coated on its inner surface with a fluorescent powder or phosphor. At
each end of the tube is a lamp cathode. The cathode consists of a coiled tungsten heater coated
with special oxides of barium and strontium, which emit electrons when heated. The glass tube
is sealed at both ends and contains a small amount of mercury and an inert gas at low pressure.
The central element in a fluorescent lamp is a sealed glass tube
 Principle of operation

Fluorescence deals with the conversion of invisible radiant energy into visible light of a longer
wave length. In the fluorescent lamp, which might be described as a thin tube of glass in varying
lengths and diameters, the invisible ultra-violet energy produced by an electric glow discharge
between two electrodes in a rarefied atmosphere of argon gas and mercury vapor is converted
into visible light through the action of the fluorescent material or phosphors coating the inside
surface of the lamp.

Function of each component

 The choke-This component supplies a high starting voltage. It also limits the current in
the lamp when the lamp is operating
 The cathode-consists of a coiled tungsten heater coated with special oxides of barium
and strontium, which emit electrons when heated
 Two protective plates-. Attached to each cathode are two protective plates which
prevent the destruction of the heater coil by the bombardment of positive ions during
the discharge.
 The starter-This component generates a sufficient discharge to “activate” the gas inside
the lamp so that it lights up
 The capacitor-This component is fitted to correct or improve the power factor. This is
achieved by neutralizing the inductive effect of the choke
 Lamp caps-Used for connecting lamps to the supply and also to hold lamps in position

b) State two advantages and two disadvantages of discharge lamps. (4 marks)

Advantages

 The fact that they can be used in All-Weather operation.

 They are extremely bright emitting as much as 130,000 lumens from a 1000 watt bulb.
 They are extremely efficient at up to efficacy rates of 150 lumens per watt.

Disadvantages

 Take time to attain full brightness/have a longer warm up time

 High initial cost and poor power factor
 Starting requires trigger-starter
  Light output fluctuates at twice the supply frequency. The flicker causes stroboscopic
effect
 These lamps can be used only in particular position
 Some of the disadvantages of compact fluorescent bulbs are that they are cold
temperature sensitive, not recommended for enclosed fixtures
 They may have limited color temperatures, do not dim nearly as smoothly, and
dimming decreases the life of the bulb

c) State five common faults of fluorescent/discharge lamps. (5 marks)

 Improper contact in the holder
 Blown starters
 Blown tube
 Supply failure
 Earth fault
 Faulty holders/caps
 Open contact in a base pin
 Broken base pin
 Open cathode
 Shorted leads in the base
 Corrosion or foreign material on base pins or holder contacts
 Defective ballast
 Improper wiring

QUESTION TWO

a) What is meant by the stroboscopic effect? (1 mark)

 The Stroboscopic Effect in Fluorescent lamp is a phenomenon which causes running
or moving equipment to appear stationary or appear to be operating slower than
they actually are.

b) State two examples where the stroboscopic effect in the fluorescent lamps can prove to
be dangerous.
  Imagine a worker in a factory observes a running machine. Say a flywheel under the
illumination of fluorescent light, the flywheel may appear to be stationary or to be
operating at reduced speed. This can result in accidents and is highly dangerous.
 A sewing machine whose needle moves up and down may appear to be stationary
and the operator can prick the fingers. Flicker causes disturbance and can cause
physiological effects such as headaches. Stroboscopic effects can lead to dangerous
situations by changing the perception of rotating or moving machine parts
(2 marks)
c) With the aid of a labelled diagram, describe the methods of avoiding stroboscopic effect
in an industry if the industry is supplied with a:
i. Single-Phase Supply,

If single-phase supply is only available, then the connection of two adjacent lamps is made such
that the two lamps are connected in parallel with the supply. In one lamp connection, a
capacitor or condenser is kept in series with the choke. This makes a phase shift thereby
eliminating the stroboscopic effect

To overcome the problems associated with the stroboscopic effect, where rotating machinery is
present,

 Twin lamp fittings can be installed. These twin fittings are wired as a lead-lag circuit in such a
manner that the current through the first lamp is out of synchronisation with current through
the second lamp. This results in both lamps being extinguished at different time intervals during
the AC cycle.

Figure below illustrates the internal wiring of a twin lamp fitting where one lamp is connected
in series with ballast whilst the other lamp is connected in series with a ballast and capacitor.
This arrangement helps to eliminate the stroboscopic effect.
 ii. Three-Phase Supply.

If the industry is supplied with a three-phase supply, adjacent lamps should be fed with a
different phase so that the zero instants of the two lamps will not be the same. Fluorescent
lamps around rotating or moving machinery, two lamps powered by two different phases
should be used. This ensures that both the lamps do not flicker due to the zero-crossing at the
same time.

Figure below illustrates how the stroboscopic effect can be overcome with a lighting
arrangement in industrial installations having three phase supplies. Adjacent lamps or alternate
groups of lamps are connected between different phases and neutral. This arrangement also
has the advantage of balancing the lighting load over the three phases and decreases the
current flowing in the supply neutral.
 (8 marks)
d) Outline four discharge lamp safety precautions. (4 marks)
 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.
 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.
 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.