Common Bulb Types
Different types of light bulbs are available in market such as Incandescent bulbs, Compact Fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, Fluorescent bulbs and Halogen bulbs. Let us have a brief idea of their features and working.
Incandescent bulbs are regular or standard bulbs which are still most common. They are available in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. These bulbs are suitable for most uses and fixtures. However, they have low initial cost but they have higher associated energy costs over their lifetime. These bulbs create light by heating a filament inside the bulb. Since much of the energy used to heat the filament is wasted, they are less energy-efficient.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are very popular among general public as they save huge amount of electricity (consumes near around two third of electricity consumed by a standard bulb). These bulbs are very durable and are available in various shapes, styles and light output. They can also be fixed in any kind of socket.
These bulbs have a mercury gas-filled tube and ballast, which is the electrical component. An electric current from the ballast flows through the gas, which produces invisible ultraviolet (UV) light. The UV light hits a white coating (phosphor) inside the bulb and changes it into light that you see. Fluorescent bulbs don’t use heat to create light, which is why they are more energy-efficient and cooler to the touch than regular bulbs.
Standard fluorescent bulbs, like CFLs, are energy-efficient and long lasting. However, fluorescent bulbs do not fit in standard household sockets. In addition, fluorescent bulbs do not come in the large variety of shapes and sizes like CFLs do. Traditional fluorescent bulbs are tubes that are linear, circular or U-shaped.
The technique used for producing light by a fluorescent bulb is same as used by a compact fluorescent bulb but for fluorescent bulb you need to have separate ballast.
Halogen bulbs are also available in a variety of shapes and sizes, including standard A-line and reflector style. They produce a bright clear light. Halogen bulbs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs up front, but last about four times as long.
Technique of light production in a halogen bulb in quite same as incandescent bulbs but the halogen gas in halogen bulbs let the tungsten to get back on filament after evaporation. This little difference gives a long life to halogen bulbs unlike incandescent bulbs.
Scott Rodgers is an author with great experience in electricians work all over the country. His exemplary guidance has generated business opportunities for a lot many Wheeling Electricians and Huntley Electricians .
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