|
Halogen Lamps are a direct result of the energy conservation push during the 1970's. In the late 1880's, we all know that Thomas Edison invented the first electric light bulb, as it was called for years. The concept was that with electric current flowing through the filament in the bulb, the filament would heat to produce the light. Since the 1930's when scientists when developed a filament that would last for up to 1000 hours before it burnt out, the world has used this incandescent bulb which has dominated the market.
But with the conservation of energy programs, the 1000 hours just wasn't efficient life for a lightbulb anymore and the halogen bulb was created. In the halogen lamp, a small amount of iodine, bromine, or other halogen is added to the bulb's gaseous filling. When the tungsten evaporates from the filament, it combines with the halogen to form a gaseous compound that circulates within the bulb. The tungsten-halogen compound remains a gas until it comes into contact with the hot filament and then the tungsten is redeposited on the filament, and the halogen gas is free to combine with newly evaporated tungsten. The tungsten is not redeposited uniformly, thus, thin places develop on the filament and it eventually breaks, but the life of the halogen bulb is 2000-4000 hours! A huge improvement.
Compared to the incandescent bulb, the halogen is more expensive, but you are exchanging a slightly higher cost for a longer life, the ability to withstand higher temperatures which produces a cleaner, whiter light, and best of all, they require lower wattage, which translates to lower bills for you! Halogen lamps are commonly used in automobile headlights, spotlights, floodlights, motion detector lights, and they are found in desk lamps, overhead lights, floor lamps and many contemporary styles of floor lamps around the home. Torchiere floor lamps are very popular and will add a specific lighting to a specific area because of their versatility. A word of caution, because of the high heat created within the bulb, it is wise to acquire a wire bulb cover to protect little fingers and big ones alike!
|
