Comparison of main characteristics (duration, efficiency, cost) of the bulbs on the market

For some 'time are disappearing more and more the traditional bulbs home to be replaced by those with low consumption. Many have received the home. But they are the only alternative to save money on your electricity bill? We see and compare the characteristics of various types of light bulbs currently on the market and try to give us an idea on how to use them best to save electricity.

The factors to be taken into account to compare the different light bulbs are:

Power (W) - the electricity consumed by the bulb when it is operating.

Efficiency / Yield (%) - that is what a light bulb is able to transform the energy consumed into light. Therefore greater efficiency means that equal power you will have a greater light. Low efficiency you have to consume more to get the same light.

Lumen (lm) - the lumens indicate the intensity of light, the amount of light that emits a light bulb

Color (° K) - the temperature of the lamp characterizes the color. The higher this value is high most of the light emitted is clear, White says he is "cold." The closer the value is high more light instead will tend to yellow, "warm" light.

 

GLOW

They consist of a tungsten filament traversed by an electric current.

Are the type of bulb classical and which have a lower efficiency and therefore a greater consumption at equal power.

From September 2012 will be prohibited throughout the 'European Union

Average life: 1000 hours of operation

Efficiency: 5-10% (40W = 400lm)

Cost: from <1 €

 

HALOGEN

They have a higher return than incandescent bulbs. Inside the bulb is a gas that reacts with the evaporation of the tungsten filament, and condensandolo ridepositandolo on the filament itself so as to increase the average life (halogen cycle).

To make possible the cycle, however, it is necessary a high operating temperature (about 250 ° C)

They have the great defect that the light emitted will cause eye strain when exposed for too long and fades objects.

Average lifetime: from 2000 to 6000 working hours

Efficiency: 15-20%

Cost: from 2 €

 

 

LOW CONSUMPTION (or fluorescent or CFL)

They are generally found with 23W power, but there are also higher power.

They are practically the bulbs that were sent to the home of many.

The light emitted is slightly weaker than that of incandescent lamps but have a higher yield up to '80% of traditional bulbs (with 2-3 - light bulbs you get more brightness and a lower power consumption compared to incandescent).

You can find three colors: white, yellow, yellow "dark" (color similar to incandescent bulbs.

Average life: 10,000 hours

Efficiency:> 40%

Cost: 4 €

 

 

LED LAMPS

Everyone knows that the LEDs have a very low consumption and long life.

Then you're starting to consider the LED 's home lighting.

But the disadvantage is that the LED light is projected with a radius smaller, more concentrated. If, therefore, the LEDs can be used very well for lamps, flashlights and spotlights are ill-adapted to illuminate an entire room, at least until now. Indeed, it seems that we can expand the field of LED lighting.

Average lifetime: 100,000 hours

Efficiency:> 60%

Cost: from 8 €

 

DISCHARGE LAMPS

This type of lamp is generally formed from the glass tube in the shape of a U containing gas (sodium, mercury vapor or metal halide). The light is created precisely by a discharge gas to be released to an electric arc. These lamps, therefore, have a special container that serves to supply the electronic part, such as low consumption lamps.

They have a higher durability than other types and a high luminous efficiency (up to 75% greater than the incandescent lamps) but have the disadvantage that it takes several minutes before working "at full speed". For this reason it is not indicated for use indoors especially if transition is required where an optimal illumination instant, and then are mostly popular for use in outdoor environments.

Average life: up to 10,000 hours

Efficiency: 80%

Cost: 20 €

One final note:

They seem to be making much progress in the development of LED technology and, therefore, that in the future may become the primary source of light for our homes. In fact, their duration and their efficiency may already offset the higher purchase cost.

 

16/04/2010

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Translated via software

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Source:

Italian version of ReteIngegneri.it