Types Of Sodium Vapour Lamps

Sodium Vapour Lamp: Construction, Working, and Applications

Types of Sodium Vapour Lamps

• Low-pressure sodium lamp (LPS): These lamps produce a yellowish-orange light and are commonly used for street lighting.
• High-pressure sodium lamp (HPS): These lamps produce a more intense, white light and are used for industrial and commercial applications.

Construction of Sodium Vapour Lamps

Sodium vapour lamps consist of the following components:

• Glass tube: The glass tube contains the sodium vapour and the electrodes.
• Electrodes: The electrodes are made of tungsten and are used to generate the electrical discharge.
• Sodium vapour: The sodium vapour is contained in the glass tube and is excited by the electrical discharge.

Working of Sodium Vapour Lamps

When the lamp is turned on, an electrical discharge is generated between the electrodes. This discharge excites the sodium vapour, causing it to emit light. The wavelength of the emitted light depends on the type of sodium vapour lamp. LPS lamps emit light in the yellowish-orange range, while HPS lamps emit light in the white range.

Applications of Sodium Vapour Lamps

Sodium vapour lamps are used in a variety of applications, including:

• Street lighting: Sodium vapour lamps are commonly used for street lighting due to their high efficiency and long lifespan.
• Industrial lighting: Sodium vapour lamps are also used in industrial settings, such as factories and warehouses.
• Commercial lighting: Sodium vapour lamps can be used for commercial applications, such as shopping malls and parking lots.

Advantages of Sodium Vapour Lamps

Sodium vapour lamps offer a number of advantages, including:

• High efficiency: Sodium vapour lamps are highly efficient, converting a large percentage of electrical energy into light.
• Long lifespan: Sodium vapour lamps have a long lifespan, typically lasting for several years.
• Low maintenance: Sodium vapour lamps require minimal maintenance, making them a cost-effective lighting solution.

Disadvantages of Sodium Vapour Lamps

Sodium vapour lamps also have some disadvantages, including:

• Yellowish-orange light: LPS lamps emit a yellowish-orange light, which can be considered unattractive by some.
• Slow startup time: Sodium vapour lamps take some time to start up, which can be a disadvantage in applications where instant light is required.
• Environmental concerns: Sodium vapour lamps contain mercury, which is a hazardous material.