Light bulbs

All about light bulbs

The three basic types of light bulbs are incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge. While all of these are somewhat similar they all work in slightly different ways. There are also varying shapes and sizes within each of the different forms of light bulbs. They vary in shape, size, wattages and voltages. The bases are also different as well.

Incandescent Lighting:
Incandescent lighting is glass bulbs with a filament (a small piece of wire) that are vacuum-sealed. Electricity flows through the filament to heat it and it then gives of light. Much of the energy is given off in the form of heat, which was created in order for the light to be given off not the most efficient way to produce light.
Incandescent bulbs can be found in variety of shapes and sizes. A more common shape is the round bulb. Incandescent bulbs also come in a pear like shape; this is used in many lighting fixtures. Long tube shaped bulbs are used often in fish tanks and for lighting paintings. Recessed lighting uses a type of bulb called a reflector bulb. Parabolic Aluminized Reflector or PAR bulbs are used for direct lighting or when accompanied by a thick glass exterior they can be used for exterior lighting.
Halogen bulbs are a new take on the working structure of incandescent lighting. A small quartz envelope is used to enclose the filament because it burns at such a high temperature, chemical reactions also take place that allow the bulb to produce light for much longer periods of time.

Fluorescent Lighting:
Fluorescent lighting are pieces of thin glass that is coated on the inside of the bulb with phosphorus. Ballasts that produce high currents that pass through the bulb. When the gas inside of the tube interacts with the energy it produces ultraviolet energy that in turn interacts with the phosphorus and is then converted into light. Fluorescent light is often used in retail, educational, and commercial buildings.
Recently fluorescent lighting has been moving into residential lighting due to the fact of many improvements to its effectiveness and due to the introduction of compact fluorescents. Fluorescents last for longer periods and are more efficient then incandescent lighting.

HID Lighting:
High Intensity Discharge lamps function in a way very similar to fluorescent lighting.
These create an electrical arc that forces gas kept in a quartz envelope burn very hot and thusly produce light. HID lighting is a very efficient form of lighting and is used often in outdoor applications. Stadium lighting and streetlights are often HID forms of lighting.

Advantages and disadvantages are present with each of the different forms of lighting. Halogens give off a very bright and brilliant light but burn at extremely high temperatures and thusly get very hot. Fluorescent lighting is cooler then Halogen when it comes to temperature and is more economical but often lack in aesthetical value

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