A gas discharge lamp is a type of lamp in which light is produced by an electric current flowing through a gas or mixture of gases. The gas in the lamp is ionized (used) to emit light, which is different from, for example, incandescent bulbs, which produce light by heating a filament.
Gas discharge lamps are often used in situations where a lot of light is needed, such as street lighting, sports stadiums, and industrial applications. There are different types of gas discharge lamps, depending on the type of gas and the application. Some common types are:
- Halogen lamps : These are a specific type of gas discharge lamp that uses halogen gas. They produce bright, white light and are often used in spotlights and floodlights.
- Metal halide lamps : These lamps use a gas mixture containing metal halides. They produce bright, white light and are often used for outdoor lighting or in sports stadiums.
- Sodium lamps : There are two types of sodium lamps: high-pressure sodium (HPS) and low-pressure sodium (LPS). High-pressure sodium lamps emit a yellow-orange light and are often used for street lighting. Low-pressure sodium lamps emit a very characteristic orange-yellow color and are also widely used for outdoor lighting.
- Mercury vapor lamps : These lamps contain mercury vapor and are often used for industrial and street lighting. They usually emit a cool, bluish light.
Characteristics of gas discharge lamps :
- Energy efficiency : They use less energy than incandescent bulbs for the same amount of light.
- Longer life : Gas discharge lamps often last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs.
- Large area lighting : They are widely used in applications where a lot of light needs to be distributed over a large area, such as street lighting or in large halls.
A significant disadvantage of gas-discharge lamps is that they often start slowly and require a specific fixture to regulate the gas discharge. Also, some types of lamps contain substances such as mercury , which can be harmful to the environment if not properly disposed of at the end of their life.