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Types of halogen lamps and their features

Types of halogen lamps and their features Of all modern light sources halogen lamps have the highest quality color rendering. In addition, halogen lamps are characterized by high brightness and directional radiation. Them of course, only conditionally can be called energy-saving, nevertheless, in comparison with incandescent lamps they have several times greater light output and doubled service life.

There are so many different halogen lamps. In this article we will get acquainted with their main types and features.

All halogen lamps conditionally divided into two large groups: low-voltage lamps (low-voltage) - up to 24 V and mains lamps - 220 V. In addition, halogen lamps differ in design and purpose.

The main types of halogen lamps:

1. Linear halogen lamps

This is the oldest type of halogen lamp that was created back in the 60s of the last century. The lamps are a quartz tube with leads on both sides. The filament is supported in the lamp using special wire brackets.

Lamps with their small sizes have a very decent power - 1 - 20 kW. Indoors, such lamps are not used because of the very high brightness and high power consumption. Their main area of application is floodlighting. There are modern linear halogen floodlights that are used not only in outdoor, but also in indoor lighting. These lamps are characterized by increased impact resistance.

Linear halogen lamp

Lamps are available in standard lengths. The most popular halogen linear lamps are 78 and 118 mm long. Most linear halogen lamps require mandatory horizontal placement in space. Modern linear halogen lamps are available as double-ended with R7s socket (located on both sides of the lamp).

2. Halogen lamps with an external bulb

These are halogen mains voltage lamps. They are intended for direct replacement of incandescent lamps. Lamps with an external glass bulb are available with standard socles E14 and E27 (Edison's base). For such lamps special lamps are not required.

Inside the glass bulb there is a miniature or linear halogen lamp at a voltage of 220 V. The external bulb of such lamps protects the inner quartz bulb of the halogen lamp from contamination and accidental contact. In shape and size, it looks like a bulb of ordinary incandescent bulbs.

Halogen bulb with external bulb

Halogen lamps of this type come in different shapes and with different types of flasks - transparent, dairy and frosted. There are lamps with glass that absorbs ultraviolet radiation. Compared to conventional incandescent lamps, network voltage halogen lamps give light with a higher color temperature (2900 - 3000 K) and have better color reproduction.

Most halogen lamps of this type are more compact in comparison with incandescent lamps, so they can be used in small miniature lamps. Decorative halogen lamps of mains voltage (candle-shaped, hexagonal) are available, which can be used instead of decorative incandescent lamps.

OSRAM halogen bulb

Halogen lamps with an external glass bulb are connected to the mains without a transformer. Since the service life of halogen lamps depends very much on the parameters of the supply voltage, it is very advisable to connect halogen lamps of the mains voltage through a special device - halogen lamp protection unit. This protection unit ensures smooth start-up of halogen lamps without inrush current at the moment of start-up and protects the lamps in case of voltage deviation.

3. Halogen lamps with reflector (halogen directional light).

Such lamps are available in standard sizes - MR8, MR11 and MR16. The most popular size of halogen lamps is MR16 (bulb diameter 50 mm). Halogen lamps with reflectors are characterized by different angles of radiation.

The lamp consists of a miniature bulb with a special reflector (reflector). Reflectors redistribute the luminous flux of the lamp in space. The halogen lamp itself is located in the center of the reflector. There are many varieties of reflectors. Most common halogen lamps with aluminum reflectors.

Since halogen lamps are a modern kind of incandescent lamps, they emit a large amount of heat during operation. Lamps with aluminum reflectors direct heat forward. For cases where this is unacceptable, there are halogen lamps with interference reflectors (special translucent coating) in which heat is removed back.

Halogen lamp with aluminum reflector

Coated halogen lamps that reflect infrared (IRC halogen lamps) Lamps of the latter type are considered the most economical, since the bulb of such a lamp with the help of a special coating does not pass the infrared radiation of the glow body, but reflects it back onto the spiral. As a result, the temperature of the spiral increases. At the same time, heat losses are reduced, energy consumption is reduced and the service life is doubled compared to conventional halogen lamps.

IRC halogen lamp

There are halogen lamps without protective glass, with protective transparent glass, a glass cap and lamps with protective colored glass. Lamps without a protective glass and a glass cap should be used in closed luminaires. The glass of most modern halogen lamps does not transmit ultraviolet radiation.

Halogen lamps with a lamp reflector are usually used in the organization of point directional lighting. Usually they are built into suspended and suspended ceilings, and having correctly calculated the number of lamps, they can be used not only for lighting purposes, but also for organizing general lighting.

The bases of halogen lamps with reflectors have two-pin connectors: GY4, GZ4, GU4, GX5,3, GU5,3, GY6,35 - for low-voltage halogen lamps (6, 12 or 24 V). The number after the letters means the distance between the pins in millimeters.

Such lamps provide high electrical safety. They must be connected via a special electronic or electromagnetic transformer. Electronic transformers for halogen lamps are used much more often.

Halogen mains voltage lamps of size MR16 are available with two-pin sockets - G9 and G10. This is done so that they can not be accidentally confused with low-voltage halogen lamps.

4. Capsule (finger) halogen lamps

Such lamps have very miniature sizes and are a small capsule with leads. They are available with transverse and longitudinal glow bodies. Such lamps can be used in open luminaires without protective glasses. They are mainly used for fixtures built into furniture and ceiling, for decorative lighting. There are models of general lighting fixtures with capsular halogen lamps.

Halogen capsule lamp

Possible caps for capsule lamps: G4, G5.3, GY 6.35. Capsule halogen mains voltage lamps usually have a G9 cap (pin spacing 9 mm). They are used for decorative lighting, and sometimes in lamps for general lighting.

OSRAM capsule IRC halogen lamps

This article describes only the main types of halogen lamps. Of course, manufacturers of light sources do not stand still and every year they improve the produced halogen lamps, as well as create their new varieties, which is confirmed by the constant updating of their range in the catalogs. If you have encountered unusual types of halogen lamps, then share your impressions of their use in the comments. Waiting for your comments!

See also at bgv.electricianexp.com:

Types of lamp caps

The use of spotlights

An example of calculating illumination for recessed luminaires with halogen lamps ...

Types of lamps for home lighting - which are better and what is the difference

Incandescent lamp soft start device

Comments:

# 1 wrote: Andrew | [quote]

Thanks for the interesting article. I learned a lot.

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# 2 wrote: | [quote]

Thanks for the info I need!

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# 3 wrote: | [quote]

Very interesting info!

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# 4 wrote: Alex | [quote]

During the repair, I replaced all incandescent lamps with halogen lamps in the apartment. Everything began to look just super! It’s a very bright and beautiful light, especially in the kitchen, where I have 5 halogen lamps with halogen lamps for illumination + 2 in the hood, though there is also a chandelier above the dining table with expensive candle-shaped incandescent lamps. Put a dimmer. In the nursery there is a lamp with halogen lamps and decorative LEDs. It can be controlled from the remote control, which is also very convenient, but also very beautiful. In general, now I am an ardent fan of using halogen lamps in the apartment. The quality of lighting can not be compared with energy-saving lamps. I recommend to everyone!

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# 5 wrote: | [quote]

Thanks for the enlightenment. I study different lamps. I still don’t like the temperature. 2700 is too yellow, 4200 is completely white, and LEDs are normally 3100-3500, but expensive.

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# 6 wrote: | [quote]

When installing halogen lamps, one should take into account their high heat dissipation. In order to avoid overheating of objects and burning of their surfaces, it is necessary to maintain a certain distance to the illuminated objects during installation. It is indicated on the factory marking of lighting fixtures or in the attached instructions. In addition, 10-15 cm should be provided for heat sink.

Before installing the halogen, you need to turn off the power supply: at a voltage of 220 V, touching a cartridge or open wires is life threatening, and when replacing a 12 V bulb, a spark can form that damages the cartridge contacts, which will shorten the lamp life. In order not to stain the walls of the bulb with skin fat, models that do not have a protective bulb or reflector must be screwed in with a cloth.

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# 7 wrote: Nikolay | [quote]

I like halogen lamps much more than other lamps. By the color of light, they are most similar to incandescent lamps. They shine even more beautifully and do not irritate at all. The only significant drawback of halogen lamps is the large heat generation. This is a serious minus. But with other shortcomings, you can still somehow put up.

Comments:

# 8 wrote: Michael | [quote]

Good article. When choosing halogen lamps, it is best to immediately focus on low-voltage types (at 12 V). They have a richer assortment and in terms of longevity and electrical safety, such lamps will be much better. And over time, they can be easily replaced with LED lamps.

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# 9 wrote: Vladimir | [quote]

Quote: Michael

And over time, they can be easily replaced with LED lamps.

Not so easy. A halogen lamp can be powered by an alternating voltage, and LEDs - from a constant. Therefore, there is a difference in transformers.

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# 10 wrote: Paul | [quote]

Good article. Just doing low-voltage wiring at home. Here on this site I read a small section about low-voltage lamps and their connection schemes. Tell me if you have more complete material on the low-voltage lamp connection diagrams. Maybe some advice.

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# 11 wrote: | [quote]

And I absolutely do not understand those who like these lamps, installing them in floodlights / more than 500 W /, for example, where they are used very often - for construction sites, you will encounter constant running around due to pollution and damage to the floodlight glasses, as well as taking them away from walls and obstructing elements, along the way, has to constantly repeat to people who, in fact, no matter what kind of spotlights these are operating rules, OR constantly spend money on the purchase of new lamps, as well as gluttons can be attributed to minuses better heat transfer (although it can be attributed to pluses, because batteries are not needed), excessive light, heavy and frequent (compared with other types of lamps) replacement.No, it’s better. I would prefer a LED searchlight / lamp / panel, it pays off more than “halogens”, an absolutely unnecessary product, name at least one place of operation where “halogens” will not be inferior to LED or fluorescent energy-saving lamps.

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# 12 wrote: | [quote]

Tell me, how safe are these halogen lamps? I mean, do they radiate what? I ask, because these halogen lamps are now used in Air Grills for cooking. So I’m interested in whether they irradiate the food cooked in such an air grill? Thanks.

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# 13 wrote: Victor | [quote]

I already got sick of changing them, honestly. Capsular in 3 chandeliers (2-3 pieces per month fly out), capsule ones larger in the chandelier in the kitchen (one burns out every 2 months), with a reflector in the corridor a dozen pieces (one in a month and a half burns out). Not a single LED of 20 pieces burned out in 2.5 years, and these ...

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# 14 wrote: andy78 | [quote]

The life of the halogen lamps is very much affected by voltage deviations in the network. At its core, these are the same incandescent lamps with most of their inherent flaws. Even with a short-term increase in voltage by 5%, the service life is reduced by 2 times. Well, when you turn on the halogen lamps can often burn out, again for the same reason as incandescent lamps. You can try to put special blocks to protect halogen lamps, for example, "Granite".

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# 15 wrote: Michael | [quote]

The disadvantages of halogen lamps:

They are more expensive than ordinary incandescent lamps. The reason is that their principle of operation requires other technological solutions: quartz glass, a denser spiral winding, tungsten, cleaned from contamination, molybdenum foil for sealed current input, tungsten filament holders, ceramic caps ... Provisions should be made to prevent overheating of the product (probably damage to the basement already at 350 degrees).

Due to the high temperature of the filament, halogens have a much higher UV radiation flux than conventional incandescent lamps (quartz glass capsules, unlike ordinary ones, do not delay it). Studies have shown that without a UV filter, they should not be used as a table lamp. When it is 30 cm from the working surface, the safe exposure time of the ultraviolet part of the spectrum, which does not lead to reddening of the skin, is no more than 12 minutes a day. With a meter distance, it increases to two hours.

It should also be remembered that mainly dyes in fabrics, plastics, wall coatings do not have resistance to ultraviolet and "fade" from such light.

The glass filter at the same time protects against accidental hand touching the hot surface of the capsule and protects it from flying fragments in the case of an unlikely, but still possible “explosion” of the lamp (with gas pressure from 2 to 25 atmospheres).

To power 12-volt models, a step-down transformer is required. It should be borne in mind that large currents in the secondary circuit create a significant voltage drop in the connecting wires. Their cross section is selected based on the length of the line and the flowing current.

Due to the significant magnitude of the current, low-voltage lamps are much more critical to the quality of the electrical contact in the cartridges, some of them are prone to premature "death" because of the high temperature, if their proper quality is not ensured. The diversity of their types and sizes is another drawback.

Comments:

# 16 wrote: Vasiliy | [quote]

Currently, their use is justified in rooms with a high temperature (baths, saunas, hammams), LEDs do not work there (overheat and fail.