In this note, we are going to learn about Gas Discharge Lamps and Its types and Working Principles. Welcome to Poly Notes Hub, a leading destination for engineering notes for diploma and degree engineering students.
Author Name: Arun Paul.
What are Gas Discharge Lamps?
Gas Discharge Lamps are lighting devices that generate light by sending an electric current through a gas. When the gas inside the lamp is activated, it generates ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which is often transformed into visible light by a phosphor coating within the lamp. Different gases emit different forms of light, therefore gas discharge lamps can be customized for a variety of lighting applications.
Types of Gas Discharge Lamps
There are two types of gas-discharge lamps –
- Low Pressure GDL
- Example: Fluorescent lamps, low-pressure sodium lamps.
- High Pressure GDL
- Example: Metal halide lamps, high-pressure sodium lamps, and mercury vapor lamps.
Working of Gas Discharge Lamp
These lamps work by delivering an electrical current through a gas, ionizing it and moving electrons to higher energy levels. When these electrons return to their former levels, they emit energy in the form of light. Some lamps, such as fluorescent ones, have a phosphor coating on the inside that converts the gas’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation into visible light. These lamps are efficient and long-lasting, although they frequently require ballasts to regulate the current, and some models contain mercury, demanding safe disposal.