Lights are everywhere in our life. But how often do we bother them? We flip a switch, reach for a lamp or flashlight, or activate the flash on our camera without even thinking about it. But what are the many types of lights? What are they used for, and what distinguishes them?
Let’s look at the various forms of electrical lamps…
- LED stands for Light Emitting Diode
LED bulbs provide a bright light, often of a specified hue, while consuming little electricity. As a result, LEDs are frequently rated in terms of apparent brightness when compared to incandescent bulbs. While an LED may require 6.75 watts of power, it may be described as having the visual brightness of a 60-watt bulb. That is only a rough comparison, not a formula; they will all be assessed by the maker. LEDs have found their way into practically every form of equipment that contains a bulb, aside from watches, clocks, and timers for nuclear weapons in movies. LED photo lamps, LED boat lights, LED desk lamps, and a variety of other devices are among them.
- Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lamps produce less heat and consume less energy than incandescent bulbs. Fluorescent lights are commonly used in large spaces such as businesses or in household rooms that require a lot of light, such as a kitchen, because they operate cooler and more efficiently. Fluorescent bulbs are made of sealed glass that is filled with a gas. The gas is excited by electricity, which causes the substance coating the interior of the bulb to light up, or fluoresce.
- Neon Lamps
A glass tube is filled with neon gas, and an electrical current is passed through it. The gas glows and shines brightly. Almost any hue can be emitted depending on the exact composition of other gasses, the colors added to the glass, and the quantity of energy supplied. That is one of the reasons neon lights, among other forms of lighting, are employed in sign making.
- Halogen Lights
Halogen lamps are typically relatively tiny for the quantity of light they emit. Halogen bulbs’ unusual structure allows them to run at temperatures well exceeding the safe working limitations of incandescent bulbs. The capacity to burn at a higher temperature allows for the creation of a specified color temperature at a very high brightness level.
As a result, they are an excellent choice for many projectors. A halogen lamp provides consistent color and wattage output from the most basic slide projectors to full-screen theater projectors and even digital projectors. They do, however, get very heated.
- Mercury Vapor Lamps
Mercury vapor lamps are a form of gas-discharge lamp in which an electric current is sent via a tube filled with high-pressure mercury vapor. The electric current ionizes the mercury atoms, causing them to emit visible and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Mercury vapor lamps emit a bluish-green light that is appropriate for outdoor lighting as well as industrial uses. They are also more energy-efficient and last longer (about 24,000 hours) than incandescent bulbs.
- Sodium Lamps with Low Pressure
Low pressure sodium vapor lights are also mostly used in outdoor lighting. This style of lighting is commonly found in street lamps and smaller stadiums. Low pressure sodium vapor emits a very precise wavelength of light. It appears to be highly yellow and is a clear indication of human habitation for any space faring aliens looking for us. Just kidding…
The efficiency of these bulbs is simple to explain; they have a cheap running cost and an incredibly long life. The precise wavelength of light emission has the advantage of being easily filtered out for astronomical or photographic applications.
- Lighting Fixtures
Spotlight lights employ long light bulbs to illuminate a specific region or spot. They are installed in hallways or kitchens at home. They are less expensive than halogen alternatives since many of them are energy efficient. Spotlight lamps in bigger sizes are utilized on stages and exhibition platforms. Their focused light is great for emphasizing specific objects or persons.
- High Intensity Discharge Lamps
High intensity discharge lamps are an umbrella for several different types of lights. We’ve already discussed the metal halide lamp type. Mercury vapor, low pressure sodium, and high-pressure sodium are some more types of high intensity discharge lamps.
Many bulbs with very high intensity-controlled color light output go by many names, but they are all high intensity discharge lamps. Although the heat discharge is very high, the constancy of brightness and color output is a benefit of the low heat efficiency and high-power utilization.
- Bulbs with Wi-Fi Capability
Wi-Fi-enabled bulbs are part of the growing “smart house” trend. The bulbs are linked to mobile devices such as iOS and Android. You use a specific remote control or your linked gadgets to control them. That’s why it also prevents any sort of personal injury. Wi-Fi lights typically feature regular outlets, so you won’t need to upgrade your home’s connection. Smart bulbs are now smaller and more diverse than previous generations. In short, a new kind of Many are available as colored light bulbs, which are ideal for creating ambience.
- Metal Halide Lights
Metal halide bulbs are another form of light bulb that uses a gaseous combination to generate and intensify light. Metals such as sodium iodide are present in the gas mixture. The ability to burn at extremely high wattages is a benefit of this type of lamp. Because of their high power and specific manufacture, these bulbs have a long operational life within a very narrow color range. Because of the color range, these bulbs are suitable for a wide range of photographic applications, including large-scale movie projection and stage illumination. Metal halide bulbs can also be seen in large-scale store interiors as well as outdoor illumination.
Other types of lights exist, but this list covers a wide range of what’s available. Understanding the many types of lights available will allow us to make the best decision about the sort of light to use. It also aids us with photography, whether film or digital, stills or videos.
