100 mm

ELECTRO-TECHNOLOGY FOR INDUSTRYTechnologyTypes of light generationThere are several ways of generating light in signaling technology.Filament lampIn the filament lamp, an electric conductor (fi lament) is heated up by an electriccurrent to the point where it glows and is perceived as a source of light.In order to protect the tungsten filament against the oxygen in the air and toprolong its service life, it is shielded by a vacuum in a glass bulb. The powerof a fi lament lamp is expressed in Watts and is calculated as follows:Power (P) = Voltage (U) • Current (I)Although this type of light generation is still being used, it is being displacedmore and more in the market due to its very limited service life and poor lightproduction.Halogen lampThe glass bulb of a halogen lamp is fi lled with halogen bromine, which virtuallydoubles the service life of this lamp compared to the ‚normal‘ fi lamentlamp, as well as increases the light production and allows the bulb to beoperated at higher temperatures. The light output of a halogen lamp remainsvirtually constant throughout its service life.LED LampA light-emitting diode is an electronic semiconductor. If current fl ows throughthe diode in the conducting direction, it emits light. The light energy is releasedin the form of photons. Light diodes are not temperature radiators.They are insensitive to impacts and vibration and consume little current. Theservice life of an LED is described as the time period over which the lightyield decreases to half of its initial value and is usually more than 50,000hours. Since LEDs are available in all normal colours, the use of colour fi ltersis not necessary. LED lamps are available in exchangeable versions with afi tting or as permanently installed LED arrays.Flash capacitorXenon flash tubeElectronicclockPower supply andcharging circuitGas discharge lampsThe energy stored in the capacitor discharges in the gas-filled glass tubeand forms a light arc. Xenon gas is predominantly used in signal technology.The flash energy per individual flash is calculated according to the followingequation:E = 1/2 • C • U 2E = Flash energy (Joules)C = Capacity of flash capacitor (Farads)U = Charging voltage (Volts)The electrode material is subjected to a very large load during the discharge.Although very hard metals such as tungsten are used for the electrode, acertain amount of the metal is removed depending on the load and is depositedas a dark fi lm on the inside of the fl ash tube. The advantage of thistechnology is the high signaling effect due to the concentrated light pulse.21