Arc Lamp

It is a type of electric-discharge lamp in which an electric current flows between electrodes through a gas or vapor. In nearly every arc lamp, the light results from the luminescence of the gas. However in carbon arc lamp, the light is produced by the incandescence of one or both electrodes. The color of the arc depends upon the electrode material and the surrounding atmosphere. Majority of the lamps have a negative resistance characteristic so that the resistance decreases after the arc has been struck. Consequently some form of current-limiting device is required in the electric circuit. Arc Lamp Features.

Bacnet Protocol Converters

Ballast Factor (BF)

It is the measured ability of particular ballast to produce light from the lamps it powers. It is derived by dividing the lumen output of a particular lamp/ballast combination by the lumen output of the same lamps on reference ballast. Hence, Ballast factor is the ratio of the luminous output of a lamp when operated on ballast to its luminous output when operated under standardized rating conditions. In other words, it is the percentage of rated lumens from the same lamp using commercial ballast as compared to ANSI reference ballast. Ballast factor is not a measure of energy efficiency. For example, a ballast factor of .96 means the commercial ballast produces 96% of light produced by ANSI reference ballast operating the same lamp. The ballast factor can be referred to in the catalogs from fluorescent or HID ballast manufacturers.

Electronic Ballast

Fluorescent lighting

Fluorescent lighting is a popular and efficient lighting system used globally. It is most commonly found in commercial facilities. Fluorescent lamps emit extremely bright glow without getting blistering hot like an ordinary light bulb. They are more efficient as compared to incandescent lamps. Fluorescent lamps and fixtures are certainly more expensive to install than incandescent lighting, but they are significantly cheaper to operate. Besides, the lamps last far longer than incandescent lamps, making the long term cost-of-operation for fluorescent lighting far less than incandescent lighting. Because of their versatility, fluorescent lamps are available in numerous sizes, types, shapes, colors and light intensity. Some are designed to operate in cold locations, while others generate large amounts of light at the expense of service life.
All fluorescent lamps grow dimmer with age, and they may even begin to flicker or flash on and off. These are warning signals, and we should make the necessary repairs as soon as we notice any change in the lamp's normal performance. A dim tube frequently requires replacement, and failure to replace it can strain other parts of the fixture. Also, repeated flickering or flashing will wear out the starter, causing the insulation at the starter to deteriorate.

Basic Concepts

Blackbody

A black body is a theoretical object that absorbs 100% of the radiation that strikes it. Consequently it reflects no radiation and appears perfectly black. However, in practice no material has been found to absorb all incoming radiation, other than carbon in its graphite form since it absorbs all but about 3%.
Black body is also an ideal emitter of radiation. At a particular temperature it would emit the maximum amount of energy possible for that temperature. This value is referred to as the black body radiation. The maximum wavelength emitted by a black body radiator is infinite. It also emits a definite amount of energy at each wavelength for a particular temperature, hence standard black body radiation curves can be drawn for each temperature, showing the energy radiated at each wavelength. All objects emit radiation above absolute zero.

Blackbody Example