How to check and connect the IZU for DNAT with your own hands

HPS lamps are the oldest and most time-tested light sources. They continue to be actively used despite the fact that the lighting equipment market is actively filled with LED devices.

The popularity of sodium lamps is due to the fact that they emit an intense luminous flux with minimal power. They are actively used for street lighting and for growing plants in greenhouse conditions. However, due to the low quality of color rendering and strong flicker, HPS is not used for lighting residential buildings and industrial premises.

To connect the HPS, you need to purchase a special starting device (IZU), a ballast (electronic ballast, choke), and a capacitor. When the ignition device is started, a high voltage pulse is created and an arc is formed. IZU for HPS must be selected taking into account the lamp power (from 35 to 400 W). Ignition devices are of parallel or series type, that is, with two or three contacts. It is important to know which device is best suited for HPS and how to connect it correctly.

Advantages and disadvantages

If you can’t decide whether to buy HPS or LED lamps, then you need to consider the pros and cons of sodium devices.
Then you can weigh the pros and cons to make the right choice. The positive properties of sodium light sources include their high luminous efficiency, long service life, and low energy consumption. In addition, they have a high efficiency and are resistant to temperature changes.

However, HPS requires time to start (5 - 10 minutes), they have poor color rendering and distort colors, which cannot be said about LEDs. The disadvantages of the lighting element include frequent flickering of the lamp, which leads to eye fatigue.

The advantages and disadvantages of HPS lamps will be discussed in more detail below.

pros

Experts highlight the following positive characteristics of HPS lamps:

1. Sodium light sources emit a powerful luminous flux (up to 160 Lm/W for high-pressure lamps, approximately 200 Lm/W for low-pressure modules). These figures are higher than other types of sodium devices and ice lamps.
2. Long service life - from 10,000 to 30,000 hours. At the same time, the quality of lighting does not decrease.
3. HPS consume a minimal amount of electricity, which consumers cannot help but rejoice at. According to this indicator, DNAT is ahead of DRL.
4. Light sources operate correctly at temperatures from -60 to +40. The lamp starts even at low temperatures.
5. The efficiency of the HPS lamp reaches 30%.

Depending on the level of internal pressure of saturated sodium vapor, HPS with high and low pressure is isolated. The former show higher indicators, and the latter – low.

A low pressure sodium lamp (LPNS) has all the advantages described above. It is used only for background lighting of streets, as it emits a pungent orange color.

High-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) have better color rendering, which allows them to be installed in gyms and industrial premises. In addition, the lighting element has high luminous efficiency with minimal voltage and a long service life. High pressure sodium lamps start up faster than low pressure sodium lamps.

Minuses

In addition to the positive characteristics, HPS lamps have negative properties:

1. Low color rendering, especially for low pressure modules. They distort colors, which prevents their use in residential areas.
2. Temperature limitation. Despite the characteristics declared by the manufacturer, the operating temperature of DNAT is in the range from -20 to +30°. If this condition is violated, the device will fail faster and the light output will decrease.
3. Sensitivity to changes in electricity. Such light bulbs are recommended for use in networks with stable voltage. Although a high-quality throttle can correct this shortcoming.
4. Long on time. After starting, the light glows weakly, maximum light output is observed after 5 - 10 minutes.
5. Strong current ripples (up to 50Hz). For this reason, the device is not recommended for lighting homes and industrial premises. Frequent flickering tires the eyes.

HPS lamps contain toxic mercury, so they must be disposed of in a special way. A failed device must be taken to special organizations that deal with hazardous waste.

Why do you need a choke: variable lamp resistance

The HPS lamp has a glass body, inside of which there is a burner filled with a mixture of gases (sodium compounds, mercury vapor, xenon). Electrodes are placed on both edges of the tube, which form an arc. After starting the light source, high-voltage pulses are created using the ISD, after which a guaranteed arc discharge occurs. Due to a sharp increase in current and excessive heat generation, the vapors inside the lamp overheat. This threatens that the device will become unusable or even explode. To avoid this, you need to use a HPS choke.

To limit the amount of operating current in HPS, different types of ballasts are used: electromagnetic (EMG) and electronic (ECG). The latter are considered more productive, but their cost is too high. For this reason, an electromagnetic choke is often used. It looks like a compact unit that regulates the power of the lighting fixture.

Ballasts help reduce voltage ripple, smooth out the current frequency, limit and stabilize its supply. That is, the device regulates the change in current in the circuit: it maintains it when it decreases and restrains it when it sharply increases. Thanks to these functions, the choke for HPS lamps increases their light output and extends their service life.

Application area

Typically, this type of gas-discharge lamps is used in cases where economic indicators are more important, rather than accurate color rendition. This is the generally accepted opinion. For this reason, HPS is not suitable for lighting residential premises and industrial workshops. Such lighting is dangerous, as the risk of injury increases significantly.

Quite often, these light sources are used not only for street and greenhouse lighting, but also for illuminating architectural complexes and monuments. In Moscow, their use is traditional. Notice the yellowish-orange lighting in the center of the metropolis. Now some manufacturers are improving these lamps, and they have already achieved acceptable color rendering indicators (Ra index). The maximum demand is for powers of 250 and 400 W.

Not long ago, a new generation of low-power sodium lamps with Ra=80 appeared. This is quite close to the spectrum of incandescent lamps, i.e. it can be used for lighting decoration in public places.

Many gardeners recommend using NLVD precisely in the last phases of seedling growth. In modifications intended for greenhouse use in the luminescence spectrum, additives have appeared for the blue part of the spectral composition of light. In the early stages, such lighting contributes to the fact that the shoots begin to grow vigorously, and the stems quickly lengthen. When using HPS lamps in agriculture, they should be handled with extreme care, since a broken or exploded bulb will ruin the harvest.

They are also used in landscape design. Their glow can imitate an open fire or the color of the sun during sunset.

IZU connection diagram: specific diagrams

Depending on the number of contacts, pulse ignition devices are connected either in series or in parallel. The connection diagram is usually indicated on the product body.

General connection diagrams

Connecting a two-pin IZU

Two-pin devices are used for lamps whose ignition voltage is less than 2 kV. These are mainly low-power metal halide and sodium arc light sources. Connection diagram: parallel.

Connection diagram for a two-pin IZU

The current going to the lamp does not pass through the protective device. However, high-frequency pulses generated for ignition affect the ballast and can lead to its breakdown. Therefore, when connecting in parallel, it is necessary to use chokes with insulation resistant to high voltages (2-5 kV).

Connecting a three-pin IZU

Three-contact devices are gradually replacing two-contact devices. They are connected in series. A device with a serial connection is more reliable: breakdown to the ballast is eliminated. Connecting a protective device to a light source can be divided into several stages:

• connect one negative wire from the electrical panel to the same type of IZU terminal, and the second to the lamp;
• open the phase wire, insert it into the ballast, and the ballast contact into terminal “B” of the IZU;
• The middle wire is connected to the light source socket.

Let's look at specific connection diagrams.

IZU-T is characterized by small dimensions (diameter 35 mm by 50 mm), standard fastening and built-in timer (not available in all models). Designed to work together with magnetic ballast and HPS and DRI lamps with power up to 1000 W (220 V) and up to 2000 W (380 V). The design of models with a timer allows the ballast to remain in good condition longer, re-ignite the light source during a short-term power outage, and reduces the likelihood of breakdown of the magnetic ballast.

IZU-T connection diagram

IZU-250-1000 W are used for ignition of DNAT, DRI and MGL. Size: 60×78 mm. Recommended for use with electromagnetic ballast. Protection degree IP20.

Connection diagram for IZU-250

IZU-1M are used to turn on HPS with a power of 100 to 400 W and DRI with a power of 35 to 400 W. Operates in a wide temperature range: from -45⁰ to +70⁰С. Overall dimensions: 32×27×30 mm.

Connection diagram IZU-1M

Common connection errors

• Using equipment not designed for this type of lamp. Each type and power of light sources has its own type of additional equipment. Using mismatched types will damage the light source.
• The same applies to power: all additional devices must be suitable for the power of the light source.
• Installing a gas discharge light source with bare hands. The sebum will turn into black spots, which may cause the lamp to break or explode. Use gloves or wipe the flask with alcohol before use.
• Failure to comply with the electrical diagram. Usually the connection diagram is on the case. It must be strictly followed.

What if the lamp doesn't work?

As sodium lamps age, they acquire the nasty habit of "blinking" i.e. the lamp turns on, warms up as usual, then suddenly goes out and a minute later everything repeats. If you notice this behavior, try changing the lamp. If changing the lamp does not help, gently measure the voltage in the network, it may be lower than usual... If the blinking occurs irregularly, a bad contact or voltage surges in the network may be to blame.

It happens that after turning on the lamp you can hear the IZU crackling (i.e. there is voltage), but the lamp does not even try to light up. Most often this happens due to a breakdown in the wire running from the IZU to the lamp or indicates a completely burnt-out lamp; less often, a broken wire between the ballast and the lamp or a burnt IZU is to blame.

Try changing the wire between the IZU and the lamp

Pay attention to the condition of the IZU contacts. If that doesn't help, try changing the lamp.

If it doesn’t help, turn off the IZU (otherwise it can burn the voltmeter with its impulses!) and measure the voltage on the lamp socket - for the DNAT it should correspond to the mains voltage. If there is voltage on the cartridge, change the IZU.

If the lamp does not show any signs of life at all: the IZU does not buzz, the lamp does not glow - most likely either the fuse has blown out or the contact in the power cord has been broken. Perhaps the culprit is a burnt IZU or a break in the winding in the ballast - check the ballast as described below, if it is intact, change the IZU.

The ballast is checked with a regular Ohm meter. Normally their resistance is about 1–2 ohms. If the resistance is significantly greater, it means either a break in the winding or contact between the winding terminals and the connecting block is broken (try tightening the screws). With an interturn closure, everything is more complicated - it has very little effect on the DC resistance, making it difficult to detect, while the power supplied to the lamp is much greater than necessary. When the lamp exceeds its power, it quickly overheats and goes out, resulting in the same “blinking” behavior.

Operating principle and connection diagram of a HPS lamp

An arc discharge is maintained inside the torch. For its appearance, IZU is used. This abbreviation stands for pulse ignition device. When the circuit is turned on, the lamp receives a pulse from 2 to 5 kV. It is needed to start the lamp - electrical breakdown of the burner and the formation of an arc discharge. The ignition voltage is significantly higher than the combustion voltage. Typically, three to five minutes of energy are spent to heat up the burner. At this moment the brightness is still low. Returning to normal operating mode takes no more than 10-12 minutes, while the brightness increases and normalizes. In the diagram, L is phase (line), N is zero.

The circuit contains an IZU and an inductor as a ballast element. Usually the connection diagram is present on the body of the throttle and/or pulse ignition device.

Sometimes a non-polar capacitor may be added to the circuit. Typically a capacitance of 18-40 µF is used. It is not necessary; adding it will not make the lamp shine brighter. Its task is phase compensation. The fact is that the circuit consumes active and reactive power, since there is a choke. There is no benefit from the reactive component, but the harm is obvious - interference in the power supply and reduced energy efficiency. However, adding capacitance to an electrical circuit will not improve energy efficiency. Adding a capacitor will somewhat reduce inrush currents and prevent irreversible degradation of the electrodes.

The capacitor used is selected based on the power of the lamp. Recommendations are presented in the table.

When assembling a lamp using HPS lamps yourself, it is not advisable to use a wire longer than one meter between the socket and the igniter.

NLVDs are very sensitive to the quality of the power supply. When the voltage drops by 5-10 percent, the luminous flux can drop by a third. Increased voltage significantly reduces service life.

The IZUs for dnat (pulse ignition devices) themselves can have either two or three contacts. There's no difference. Not one of these options is worse or better than the other - both provide the same operating conditions for the lamp.

There is also a type of lamps that do not require an IZU. This is DNAS. They can be recognized by the starting antenna near the burner. It is usually made from one or two turns of wire that wraps around the burner.

Technical parameters of the IZU

When buying a pulse ignition device, you need to know the value of the maximum permissible current, the maximum frequency pulse voltage, voltage, automatic shutdown function of the device and the maximum cable length. The permissible current should not exceed twice the operating current, the maximum frequency pulse voltage should not be up to 3.5 kilowatts at the output. In the event of a device failure, the pulse ignition device must have an automatic shutdown function. The maximum cable length should be about 2-3 meters.

Specifications

Disposal conditions

The burners of high-pressure sodium lamps contain sodium amalgam, an alloy of sodium and mercury. It is strictly forbidden to throw HPS into containers with regular household waste or bury it in the nearest vacant lot. Disposal of devices is carried out according to the same rules that are adopted for DRL lamps and other devices containing mercury.

High pressure sodium arc lamps have very good technical characteristics. In terms of energy efficiency and service life, they compete with LED light sources, so people will continue to use them in various spheres of life for a long time.

Gas-discharge arc sodium lamp DNaT is used to illuminate large areas, city streets, and greenhouses.

Do not confuse low and high pressure sodium lamps. They have different designs and operating principles.

The emission spectrum of both is dominated by orange light. For low-pressure products, the radiation is almost monochrome; they shine with a bright golden light.

If they are used for lighting in rooms, the colors will be practically indistinguishable.

In high-pressure lamps the spectrum is more diverse.

In those models that are used in greenhouses for growing plants, a little blue light is specially added to the light spectrum.

The kit for connecting a high-pressure lamp includes several components, without which you simply cannot start it. That is, simply by applying 220 volts to it, it will not light up.

To do this, you need a special device - a choke or ballast, which in turn is connected according to a certain circuit.

This diagram is often depicted directly on the body.

Here is a more detailed drawing of it.

Painted on it:

• the inductor itself (ballast), to which the phase is supplied

• then this phase is supplied to the pulse ignition device - IZU

Through it you can connect instances of different power, from 70 to 400W.

The IZU creates a starting impulse for the breakdown of the burner contents in the flask and the formation of an arc. The voltage reaches several thousand volts!

And the burner itself heats up to 1300 degrees during operation.

Only after the IZU is the gas-discharge lamp itself connected.

The same connection diagram can be depicted on the walls of the ignition device.

In addition, it is recommended to use a capacitor in the connection kit. Although it is not present in all schemes.

Why is it needed? As is known, circuits using power chokes consume both active and reactive power. From the second, you will not get any beneficial effect.

This will not make the lamp shine brighter, but the losses will increase. It is in order to remove this reactive component that a phase-compensating capacitor is used.

A visual comparison of the current consumption of a HPS lamp with and without a capacitor:

As you can see, more than double the difference. In the first case, the compensated current (active) is shown, and in the second case, the full current (without a capacitor in the circuit).

Some people think that by doing so they also reduce energy consumption, but this is not entirely true.

Your meter is not designed to count reactive or apparent energy, and the actual cost savings can be a maximum of 3-4%.

But you will eliminate unnecessary losses due to heating of wires and iron.

Here is a compact shield assembled with your own hands, according to the connection diagram.

You can, of course, assemble all this in the overall body of the lamp, if the dimensions allow.

It is very important, before assembling such a circuit yourself and using any components, using a conventional multimeter in the maximum resistance measurement mode, check the insulation of the inductor and capacitor. Is there a hole in the body?

Is there a hole in the body?

To supply and disconnect 220V power, use a two-pole input circuit breaker.

For one lamp with a power of up to 400W, a machine with a nominal value of 5-6A is quite suitable. In addition to on-off switching operations, it will also play the role of a protective device.

A circuit breaker is mounted at the very beginning of the circuit. Do not forget to also ground the entire panel body.

Two neutral wires come out of the machine. According to the diagram, one of them is connected directly to the lamp, and the second one is connected to the corresponding terminal labeled “N” on the starter.

Otherwise, you can accidentally burn the product if during operation the neutral wire after the ballast choke accidentally shorts out.

And connect the wire from the output contact to terminal “B” (Balast) of the ballast.

After that, connect the middle terminal Lp (Lampa) to the light bulb socket.

Please note that there are two-pin and three-pin IZUs. The first ones are connected in parallel with the lamp itself.

Common connection errors

In order for the device to work correctly and for a long time, you need to know what mistakes you should not make when connecting it:

1. Incorrect connection of the 4-pin ballast. There are chokes on sale that have 4, 5 or 6 contacts. Many beginners connect the phase and neutral wires to one contact, and connect a lighting device from the other. But it's not right. There is a diagram on the device body that you need to follow.
2. Installing the lamp into the socket with bare hands. Finger oil on glass turns into dark stains when exposed to high temperatures. Then the risk of cracks appearing in these areas increases. To prevent this from happening, wipe it with a clean cloth before starting.
3. Use of ballast with a power higher than that of the lamp. Then the internal bulb will overheat, the device will begin to blink and will soon fail.
4. Applications of a choke from an arc mercury phosphor lamp for HPS. If you use a ballast designed for lamps of a different type, the light source will quickly become unusable.
5. Lack of capacitor in the kit for DNAT. Then the wires will constantly overheat.

Disposal

Sodium, by its nature, is a volatile substance and, in contact with air, can ignite rapidly. For this reason, sodium light sources should not be disposed of as regular waste. Like any energy-saving lamp that contains mercury, they also need to be disposed of in special containers

If you cannot dispose of HPS sodium lamps yourself while observing safety precautions, you should call a special service

Gas-discharge arc sodium lamp DNaT is used to illuminate large areas, city streets, and greenhouses.

Do not confuse low and high pressure sodium lamps. They have different designs and operating principles.

The emission spectrum of both is dominated by orange light. For low-pressure products, the radiation is almost monochrome; they shine with a bright golden light.

If they are used for lighting in rooms, the colors will be practically indistinguishable.

In high-pressure lamps the spectrum is more diverse.

In those models that are used in greenhouses for growing plants, a little blue light is specially added to the light spectrum.

The kit for connecting a high-pressure lamp includes several components, without which you simply cannot start it. That is, simply by applying 220 volts to it, it will not light up.

To do this, you need a special device - a choke or ballast, which in turn is connected according to a certain circuit.

This diagram is often depicted directly on the body.

Here is a more detailed drawing of it.

Painted on it:

the inductor itself (ballast), to which the phase is supplied

then this phase is supplied to the pulse ignition device - IZU

Through it you can connect instances of different power, from 70 to 400W.

The IZU creates a starting impulse for the breakdown of the burner contents in the flask and the formation of an arc. The voltage reaches several thousand volts!

And the burner itself heats up to 1300 degrees during operation.

Only after the IZU is the gas-discharge lamp itself connected.

The same connection diagram can be depicted on the walls of the ignition device.

In addition, it is recommended to use a capacitor in the connection kit. Although it is not present in all schemes.

Why is it needed? As is known, circuits using power chokes consume both active and reactive power. From the second, you will not get any beneficial effect.

This will not make the lamp shine brighter, but the losses will increase. It is in order to remove this reactive component that a phase-compensating capacitor is used.

A visual comparison of the current consumption of a HPS lamp with and without a capacitor:

As you can see, more than double the difference. In the first case, the compensated current (active) is shown, and in the second case, the full current (without a capacitor in the circuit).

Some people think that by doing so they also reduce energy consumption, but this is not entirely true.

Your meter is not designed to count reactive or apparent energy, and the actual cost savings can be a maximum of 3-4%.

But you will eliminate unnecessary losses due to heating of wires and iron.

Here is a compact shield assembled with your own hands, according to the connection diagram.

You can, of course, assemble all this in the overall body of the lamp, if the dimensions allow.

It is very important, before assembling such a circuit yourself and using any components, using a conventional multimeter in the maximum resistance measurement mode, check the insulation of the inductor and capacitor. Is there a hole in the body? Is there a hole in the body?

Is there a hole in the body?

To supply and disconnect 220V power, use a two-pole input circuit breaker.

For one lamp with a power of up to 400W, a machine with a nominal value of 5-6A is quite suitable. In addition to on-off switching operations, it will also play the role of a protective device.

A circuit breaker is mounted at the very beginning of the circuit. Do not forget to also ground the entire panel body.

Two neutral wires come out of the machine. According to the diagram, one of them is connected directly to the lamp, and the second one is connected to the corresponding terminal labeled “N” on the starter.

Otherwise, you can accidentally burn the product if during operation the neutral wire after the ballast choke accidentally shorts out.

And connect the wire from the output contact to terminal “B” (Balast) of the ballast.

After that, connect the middle terminal Lp (Lampa) to the light bulb socket.

Please note that there are two-pin and three-pin IZUs. The first ones are connected in parallel with the lamp itself.

Principle of operation

The structure, as already mentioned, is very similar to DRL in the presence of a glass bulb, inside of which there is a tube or burner. But glass cannot be used to make a tube in HPS (as in DRL) due to the very high combustion temperature of sodium. For this purpose, a special material is used - polycrystalline aluminum oxide. Only such material will allow 90% of the glow to pass through and at the same time be resistant to sodium vapor.

Molybdenum is used to make electrodes. The luminous output of such lamps is increased with the help of xenon or mercury, and to facilitate starting, argon is present in the sodium lighting device.

A vacuum is created inside the flask to maintain its integrity, since during operation the sodium arc tube lamp heats up to 1,400 degrees Celsius. Naturally, when the lamp is operating, it is difficult to prevent air from entering through the holes, but special gaskets are provided for this case.

Structure of DNAT

After supplying a high-voltage pulse current through an IZD, an electric arc is formed in the HPS, heating the tube. This happens within 6–9 minutes, after which the sodium lamp flares up at full strength. So the operating principles of DNAT and DRL are almost exactly the same.

The difference between connecting 2 and 3-pin IZU

Please note that there are two-pin and three-pin IZUs. The first ones are connected in parallel with the lamp itself.

connection diagram with a three-pin IZU connection diagram with a two-pin IZU

That is, strictly after the ballast, you must enter a phase into the IZU, and apply zero to its other terminal

It doesn’t matter where you get it from, even directly from the cartridge itself

By the way, two-pin ones have not been recommended for use for a long time and here’s why.

The ignition process is associated with a high voltage pulse (from 2 to 5 kV). And this pulse is supplied in parallel not only to the lamp, but also to the inductor.

And this can easily break through the insulation of the ballast if it is not designed for this.

Therefore, such a parallel connection is more often found in low-voltage sodium lamps, or in those where an ignition pulse of no more than 2 kV is sufficient.

All that remains is to stretch the cable and disconnect the cartridge.

From the starting device to the lamp itself, the recommended cable length is no more than 1.5 m.

Parameters and characteristics of the inductor

When choosing a ballast, you need to take into account its characteristics. One of the main parameters is inductance, which is measured in H (Henry). The amount of reactance of the switched on ballast depends on its inductance. This value characterizes the magnetic properties of an electrical circuit. 1Gn passes 1A of current at a voltage of 1V.

The main parameters of the inductive coil include:

• coil length in m;
• number of turns;
• permeability of the core material;
• cross-sectional size of the magnetic circuit;
• magnetic saturation.

The inductance of the ballast winding depends on all the characteristics described above.

The resistance of the coil winding turns depends on the cross-sectional area of ​​the core. Therefore, when choosing ballasts for HPS, you need to take into account their power, on which the rated load current depends. Accordingly, the dimensions of the electric ballast depend on the power of the lamp.

DNAT lamps: characteristics of a lamp for flowers

Main technical characteristics

HPS lamp design

Additional equipment is used to ignite and burn the arc. HPS lamps cannot be connected directly to the home electrical network, since the network voltage is not enough to ignite a cold lamp.

Sodium lamp for plants Sodium 100 W 2500K E40 Delux, designed for 1000 hours

It is better to limit the arc current; use a HPS lamp in conjunction with ballasts (ballasts) in order to stabilize the power consumption of electricity and extend the service life:

• Electronic ballasts (electronic) increase the frequency of the current, which helps eliminate the flickering effect of 50 Hz;
• EmPRA (electromagnetic).

When HPS lamps work, they glow bright orange because they contain sodium vapor. It can heat up to 300º, so only ceramic cartridges are used. HPS lamps are installed in lamps for various purposes, and are powered by an alternating voltage of 220 V.

In the ballast circuit for HPS, a phase-compensating capacitor is required. Its use reduces the load on home electrical wiring and the lighting circuit.

Analogue for sodium lamps

Which lamps are best for growing plants?

Sodium lamps for plants are quite expensive, they get very hot, and can explode if water gets on the glass. In addition to sodium lamps, they also use:

• energy saving lamps (housekeepers);
• induction phytolamps;
• LED lamps for plants (LED phytolamps).

The editors of ThisDom recommend paying attention to the following phytolamps:

1. in the budget segment OSRAM L 36 W /765 Daylight (T8 fluorescent lamp + 40 W incandescent lamp);
2. LED phytolamp for plants LED Grow Light from a manufacturer you trust. Such a phytolamp will cost more, but it will definitely not let you down.

Device

According to the established abbreviation DNaT, these are (D - arc, Na - sodium, T - tubular) devices. Based on their operating principle, they belong to high-pressure lighting equipment. Structurally, HPS lamps are a glass bulb with a base, usually E27 or E40.

Rice. 1. Design of a HPS lamp

The internal structure consists of:

• discharge tube - made of aluminum oxides and designed to burn an arc inside the lamp;
• electrodes - designed to start the discharge, which is why they are made of molybdenum;
• gas mixture - acts as a medium for generating light radiation, the main percentage here is occupied by sodium vapor, but argon is included as an impurity to accelerate combustion, and mercury to ensure high light output.

The flask is made of heat-resistant glass, since the gas in the tube can heat up to 1300ºС, as a result of which the HPS lamp itself on the surface will have from 100 to 400 ºС. A vacuum is installed inside the lamp for better light output.

How to connect the lamp?

The connection procedure is performed as follows:

1. First, using a multimeter, you need to diagnose the insulation of the inductor and capacitor device. The tester must first be set to maximum resistance mode. You need to make sure there is no breakdown in the body.
2. To supply 220 volts to the device and turn it off, a two-pole automatic input device is used.
3. If you use one 400-watt lamp, then a 5-6 ampere circuit breaker is suitable for connection. In addition to switching operations, it will also be used as a protective device. Installation of the machine is carried out at the beginning of the circuit. When performing the task, the panel body must be grounded.
4. There are two neutral cables coming out of the machine. According to the diagram, one of them goes directly to the light source. The second is connected to the corresponding clamp; on the starting unit it is marked with the symbol N.
5. It must be taken into account that the throttle assembly is mounted only in a phase circuit break that goes to the lighting source. It cannot be installed on the neutral cable. Otherwise, you can burn the inductor if a short circuit occurs.
6. Then the phase must be switched off. One cable from the automatic device is installed on the inductor terminal. And the conductor coming from the output contact is connected to terminal B on the ballast. The middle electrical circuit must be connected to the socket of the lighting device.

Connection diagram of a HPS device with a three-pin IZU

Connection card for a light bulb with a two-pin pulse charger

DRL lamps

The abbreviation DRL stands for mercury arc phosphor lamp. Such lamps have a burner made of refractory material, into which four electrodes are inserted. When an electric current is supplied, an electric arc occurs between the electrodes, which acts as a luminous element in DRL lamps. The ultraviolet radiation of the arc is converted into the visible spectrum of radiation using a phosphor applied to the outer bulb of the lamp. It is the phosphor that gives the reddish glow that we are used to seeing in mercury lamps.

DRL lamps are characterized by high power (250 W lamps are common) and high luminous flux. Most often they are used for lighting streets and industrial facilities, where high quality color rendering is not required.

In addition to the low color rendering index, significant disadvantages include frequent flickering and the so-called aging of mercury lamps. So, after three months, lamps lose about 30% of the luminous flux, after a year of operation - already 40%. According to statistics, DRL lamps last 30% less than the declared lifespan - for example, out of a theoretical ten thousand hours of operation, in practice, the lamps only last seven.

Mercury lamps are capable of operating at subzero temperatures, but only down to −20 °C; at lower temperatures, lighting the lamp becomes more difficult. And this is also one of the disadvantages of DRL technology.

And, perhaps, the biggest disadvantage of such lamps is that they are not environmentally friendly, since the lamps contain mercury. To avoid harm to humans and the environment, used lamps must be disposed of in a special way. Unfortunately, the law provides for recycling obligations only for organizations. Private consumers throw away lamps in regular trash bins.

High Pressure Arc Lamps

Increasing the pressure of the medium in which the electric charge propagates and a luminous arc occurs makes it possible to obtain a more intense luminous flux, spending less energy. For example: the light output of low-pressure sodium lamps does not exceed 100 lumens per watt, while for high-pressure sodium lamps this value is more than 200 lumens per watt. Therefore, they are used for outdoor lighting or in large areas - greenhouses, hangars, production workshops.

The fundamental design of mercury and high-pressure sodium arc lamps has many similarities, but there are also differences, due to which the connection diagram of a sodium lamp is different from that of a mercury lamp. And they are not interchangeable. These lighting devices can be distinguished from each other both by designation and appearance. DRL – mercury arc lamp, DNaT – sodium arc tube lamp. And the external differences will become clear to you from analyzing their structure. So, they consist of the following elements:

• Gas burner.
• Set of electrodes.
• External flask.
• Base.

Gas-burner

In both cases, it is made in the form of a tube made of heat-resistant quartz glass. But in DRL its dimensions are larger than in DNAT. Due to the high chemical activity of sodium, aluminum alum – Al2O3 – is added to the burner glass. An inert gas - argon - is pumped into the burner at a pressure of 100-150 kPa. There is also mercury or sodium amalgam (an alloy of Na and Hg).

Electrode set

DRL lamps have four of them: two main and two ignition. The pairs are located at opposite ends of the flask and connected to different poles of the supply line. But DNAT has only two electrodes. This causes differences in the starting method and the construction of the lamp connection diagram.

With mercury light sources, the arc lights up from a small spark that occurs between electrodes of opposite sign. And sodium requires an igniting impulse. Moreover, the DRL of the first releases (until the mid-60s of the last century) had two electrodes and used the same switching principle, but later it was abandoned.

External flask

This is the main visual distinguishing feature of lamps. There is a vacuum inside the flask, which ensures the chemical and thermal stability of the burner glass. But with DRL it is white or matte, and the HPS flask is transparent.

A layer of phosphor is applied to the inner surface of the mercury lamp bulb. The fact is that the combustion of mercury vapor causes a deathly green or blue glow, which extremely distorts the perception of reality by the human eye. The phosphor shifts its spectrum into the region of dazzling white light, which is quite acceptable for street lighting.

Sodium lamps glow red or bright orange. Light rays of this frequency are practically not refracted by water suspension that can hang in the air (snow, fog, drizzle, splashes), so it is used to illuminate highways. There is no need for a spectral shift, so the bulb is transparent.

Base

Both lamps use a so-called Edison threaded base, designated by the letter E, to connect to the supply line. Since the power of high-pressure arc lamps usually exceeds 250 W, E40 models with a diameter of 400 mm are used. For the same reason, it is recommended to use ceramic cartridges that can withstand high heat.

Pros and cons of HPS lamps

Advantages:

• high level of efficiency;
• high light output;
• unlike metal halide devices, sodium lamps can operate in any position;
• low cost;
• light weight;
• resistance to moisture, vibration, mechanical shock;
• economic benefit;
• anti-fog effect.

Flaws:

• may begin to flash towards the end of its service life;
• low color rendering index;
• high ripple factor;
• high operating temperature;
• does not work at low temperatures;
• long ignition time;
• Special operating conditions are required due to the risk of explosion and mercury content in the composition.

Despite their shortcomings, about 95% of roads are illuminated with HPS lamps.

What causes DNA explosion?

If you touch the surface of the lamp with your hands, be sure to wipe it with a clean, dry cloth before turning it on.

This is due to the high heating temperature during operation - up to 350 degrees.

Any greasy stains from your fingers will turn into blackened blots at such temperatures.

This will eventually cause the lamp to burst or crack sooner or later.

By the way, many people are afraid when using it in greenhouses that if a drop of water gets on the heated body, the HPS may explode. Actually this is not true.

The product is made of heat-resistant glass and small splashes are not particularly scary.

Unless you start hosing it down, as shown in this popular video:

Advantages and disadvantages

Like any other lighting devices, lamps with HPS lamps have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include:

1. High light output. According to this parameter, HPS lamps occupy a leading position among gas-discharge lighting devices, although they are inferior to LED lamps.
2. Long service life. The mean time between failures of HPS lamps reaches 15,000 hours. A powerful LED lamp with the declared brightness will work the same or slightly more.
3. Relatively low cost. The technology for producing lamps is not particularly complex and has been established for a long time (the HPS lamp is almost 100 years old!), and the device itself does not contain expensive materials. In this regard, LED lighting devices are catastrophically behind sodium ones - they are tens of times more expensive.
4. Anti-fog effect. The yellow-orange spectrum emitted by HPS lamps is poorly absorbed by water. Even in rain and heavy fog, the lighting quality remains at a fairly high level.

As for the shortcomings, they are very significant:

1. Short . The HPS lamp emits light in a narrow yellow-orange spectrum. The color of almost all objects in this light is greatly distorted. It is precisely because of the low quality of light that sodium lamps are absolutely unsuitable for use in residential and industrial premises.
2. High ripple factor. When using an electromagnetic ballast (choke), the light of the HPS lamp pulsates at twice the network frequency. In this case, the pulsation coefficient can reach 15-20%. When exposed to such light for a long time, a person's eyes quickly become tired. The problem is completely solved by using electronic ballasts, but their cost is often higher than the cost of the lamp itself.
3. High operating temperature. During operation, the temperature of the HPS lamp reaches 300 degrees, and the ballasts (in particular, the choke) heat up to 100 degrees. This not only threatens serious burns if accidentally touched, but also requires special fire safety measures.
4. Difficulty starting at low temperatures. Due to their design features, HPS lamps are difficult to start at low ambient temperatures. This problem is partially solved by using an external flask with a vacuum, but nevertheless, in severe frost the lamp may not start. For this reason, the use of HPS lamps in the far north is not recommended.
5. Long ignition time. After switching on, the lamp barely shines and only gradually flares up as the burner warms up. HPS lamps need 10-15 minutes to reach operating mode. A hot lamp that has just been turned off will not start immediately: first the bulb needs to cool, and then start and flare up again.

That's probably all the information about high-pressure sodium lamps. Now you know how this device works, why it is good and what disadvantages it has. And if you decide to independently organize lighting using HPS lamps, then after reading this article, you will be able to select ballasts without outside help and connect the lamp to it.

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Summarize

The sodium arc tube lamp is unique in its kind. Of course, it has its drawbacks, and the main one is color distortion. And even this can be fixed, just raise the lamp higher. But still, minimal power consumption, brightness and warmth of the glow, coupled with its durability, make it a leader among similar lighting devices.

Of course, someone may complain about the complicated connection and high cost, but it all pays off. And there are no special difficulties in installing the HPS lamp connection circuit; even a person with the slightest skills in electrical installation can connect a sodium lamp.

Well, for street lighting, such a lighting device is clearly beyond competition, unless, of course, you take into account LED lights.

Sodium lamps

To start high-pressure sodium lamps, as well as to start metal halide lamps, additional triggering devices are used that supply high-frequency pulses at a voltage of 2–5 kV to the lamp.

High-pressure sodium lamps are one of the most economical types of lamps: the luminous efficiency of 600 W sodium lamps is about 150 lm/W, which is 2.5 times more than mercury lamps and 10 times more than traditional incandescent lamps.

The low level of color rendering has determined the main area of ​​use of high-pressure sodium lamps - illumination of night streets and other open spaces. Recently, sodium lamps have begun to be used quite actively in the illumination of some industrial premises, where the level of color rendering does not play a primary role, for example, metallurgical and metalworking shops with high ceilings, warehouses, locomotive depots, etc.

Doctors have proven that contrast sensitivity and sharpness of color discrimination in the human organ of vision have maximum values ​​in yellow shades of light. Therefore, the use of high-pressure sodium lamps when lighting highways not only saves energy, but also allows drivers to more clearly distinguish objects and obstacles in the dark. Despite the positive aspects of using sodium lamps, the widespread replacement of mercury lamps with them was impossible for a long time, since the functioning of sodium lamps requires special triggering devices.

Contribution of lamps to reducing operating costs

Quite recently, the production of high-pressure sodium lamps with a reduced ignition voltage began. These lamps can be installed in classic lamps instead of mercury lamps. At the same time, high-pressure mercury lamps with a power of 400 watts can be replaced with sodium lamps with a power of 210 watts, but providing a much higher level of illumination, which allows for significant savings in electrical energy.

Due to the very high chemical resistance and heat resistance of polycrystalline aluminum oxide, sodium lamps have a long service life (up to 28,500 hours). The American company General Electric produces high-pressure sodium lamps with two burners, in which two identical burners are placed in an outer flask opposite each other, operating in turn. The operating life of such lamps is 55,000 hours (15 years with 10-hour daily operation). The decrease in the quality of the luminous flux during operation for high-pressure sodium lamps is about 20 percent.

Design

Lamps and lamps DNAT

When considering the design of a HPS lamp, we see the following elements:

• glass flask;
• cylindrical tube with aluminum holder.

The cavity of the tube is filled with mercury vapor (as in luminescent sources) and sodium vapor, forming a sodium amalgam. But these are not all gaseous substances: xenon is used to start the product.

Xenon is located inside the burner, which ensures a smooth start-up of the equipment. To increase service life, two burners can be used simultaneously.

Burner

The same cylindrical tube mentioned above. Made from transparent ceramics, resistant to high temperatures and chemically active substances. It was first manufactured by General Electric in 1960 and patented under the name “lucalos” (we know it as “polycor”). Its creation is based on the technology of sintering aluminum oxide at high temperatures. Tungsten electrodes are soldered to the two ends of the tube.

Inside it there is a mixture of inert gases and sodium amalgam under a pressure of 100 kPa and above, which makes it easy for an electrical discharge to occur due to the higher density of the medium, and also expands the region of the visible spectrum.

Base

To connect to the power lines, an Edison type E threaded socket is used. For HPS lamps with a power of 50, 70 and 100 watts, size E27 is used, for more energy-intensive models of 150, 250 and 400 watts - E40. The number indicates the diameter of the cartridge in millimeters.