Plasma Lamp

History of the plasma lamp

The first works of physicists on this principle date back to the United States in the 1970s. Sulfur was quickly identified as a visible radiation emitter with very high energy efficiency. The conversion between radio frequency and visible radiation is 170 lm/W. It consists of a sealed glass tube with two metal electrodes, usually tungsten, mounted at each end. The gas inside the tube is usually argon or neon. When electricity is applied to the electrodes, a discharge occurs and the gas becomes ionized, producing a glowing plasma.

The first plasma lamps on the market were UV lamps for disinfection, marketed by UV-Fusion.

In the 1990s, an American company called Fusion Lighting was created to popularize this principle. They developed an industrial lighting device (1000 W lamp) to light halls or warehouses.

In the 2000's, other companies improve the equipment to continue the adventure of plasma lamps. New models with very specific characteristics appear on the market. The plasma lamp, for example, has become the best device for faithfully reproducing the solar spectrum. Versions for agronomic lighting are also appearing on the market to take advantage of this high energy efficiency.

Most plasma lamp manufacturers use the principles of the first generation plasma lamps.

Modern plasma lamp

In 2012, the second generation of plasma lamps was born. This second generation eliminates a number of technical limitations of the first generation while retaining the advantages of the first generation. The main difference is in the bulbs, the first generation required rotating bulbs, while the second generation used static bulbs. By eliminating the motor used to rotate the bulb, this technological leap makes the system more compact and significantly reduces failure rates.

How does the plasma lamp work?

The plasma lamp consists of an electrode that represents a light bulb. Its frequency is constant and varies from 10 kHz to 60 kHz. Inside the glass ball, there is a mixture of noble gases under low pressure. These gases can be oxygen, neon, nitrogen, xenon, helium, krypton etc.. They are responsible for the color of the electric filaments.

They actually come in different colors. In the case of helium, it is blue-violet or yellow-orange. If the gas it contains is neon, the color of the flashes is red-orange. If it is krypton, the color is gray or yellow. In the case of xenon, it is blue, in the case of nitrogen, it is purple, in the case of carbon dioxide it is white. As for oxygen, it produces a light blue-green color.

There are also differences in color if the combination of different gases changes, here are some examples: Neon (95%) and Xenon (5%): pink and blue Neon (95%), xenon (2.5%) and krypton (2.5%): green and orange Argon and nitrogen: purple Argon, Nitrogen and Krypton: lavender purple, with blue tips Helium and neon: red and orange Xenon, krypton and argon: navy blue Neon (99.5%) and Argon (0.5%): purple and orange.

The operation of a plasma lamp is not complicated. Indeed, the central electrode will ionize the gas because of the applied tension. This phenomenon results in an electric discharge between the electrodes and the wall of the sphere.

If the applied voltage is high enough, it can overcome the breakdown voltage of the gas. As a result, an arc begins to form between the center of the lamp and the glass ball. This arc occurs in the form of small colored flashes.

The gas becomes a conductive plasma. This creates an electrical chain reaction. These responses are intensified if you touch the plasma light with your fingers.

Common applications of the Plasma lamp

Lighting.

Lighting is an essential element both inside and outside the house. Its main function is to illuminate the place where it is located. But apart from that, it also deals with interior decoration. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the right lighting for each place. The choice is not so easy with the different models of lamps available on the market. Among them, plasma lamps bring more design and light your interior better.

Levitating lamps are more beneficial for people suffering from insomnia or lack of sleep, as they emit a soft white glow that won't disturb anyone else in the house and won't disturb your sleeping partner.

Turning on the plasma lamp.

To turn on the plasma lamp, simply click the ON/OFF switch. It is at the base. You just need to press this switch to turn off the bulb. Regarding the type of power source for the plasma lamp, it works on mains. In 90% of cases it comes with an adapter and a European plug. In this case, you do not need cables or batteries, it is the simplest light. Other models exist and are compared in detail on this page of our store. Plasma lamps consume less energy than other lamps. In addition, it has a very long life. Then you can use it for years.

Safety.

The plasma lamp is not dangerous. That's why it is also popular in children's room. However, in order to use it safely, some precautions should be taken.

Only a professional with the proper equipment can safely disassemble and recharge a transformer. The voltage delivered to the center is about 10000 V (medium voltage), but the amperage is still very low.

In addition, it is important to :

• Do not touch metal at the same time. Risk of electric shock.
• Do not touch if you have a pacemaker.
• Keep away from speakers and electronic equipment (crash of computer equipment, see ESD damage).
• Keep away from children and unaccompanied pets.
• Do not cover it with anything during operation.
• Two people should not touch the sphere at the same time.

If you follow these various tips, you can use your plasma lamp safely. Even if you touch the wall with your fingers, you have nothing to worry about. By installing it in the right place, it can improve the decor of the place and bring more electric atmosphere.

Conclusion

A plasma lamp is a great way to add a unique touch to your home decor. Not only are they stylish, but they also have a history and interesting applications. And because they have so many uses, you're sure to find a place for them in your home, no matter what your style.