Halogen Lamps (57 Photos): Halogen Bulbs For Chandeliers And Ceiling Lamps, Comparison With LED And Choice - Which Is Better For Home

High prices for electricity lead to the fact that people are trying to save money on such a resource by purchasing a variety of energy-saving light bulbs and appliances. When choosing a lamp for home use, it is necessary to pay attention not only to its efficiency, but also to its long-term use, as well as other criteria and characteristics.

Halogen lamps for the home are very popular with consumers, as they are distinguished by a long service life, perfectly illuminate the room, and are also presented in a variety of shapes and sizes.

What it is?

Halogen bulbs are similar to conventional incandescent bulbs. For the manufacture of the filament, tungsten wire is used, which is twisted into a spiral. The light bulb itself is a glass bulb, in the middle of which an incandescent body is placed and a special gas is injected. Bromine or iodine vapors are used as such a gas.

They prevent tungsten from evaporating during heating to settle on the walls of the light bulb. Thanks to the use of such gases, the service life of a halogen lamp is increased compared to other lighting fixtures. The flask itself is made of a special material - quartz, it easily tolerates high temperature drops. Due to the heat resistance of the quartz flask, its dimensions can be very small compared to other bulbs.

Thanks to the addition of bromine or iodine, it was possible to almost completely remove such a process as darkening the bulb, which over time influenced the quality of the light stream, making it weaker and dimmer.

Principle of operation and properties

Despite the similarity of halogen and conventional incandescent bulbs, their principle of operation is significantly different. During use of a halogen light bulb, when the filament gets very hot, volatile tungsten compounds are released. Due to the filled bromine or iodine, which reacts with the tungsten atoms, the latter elements are not able to settle on the walls of the flask.

A similar process has an opposite reaction: when such compounds are in the vicinity of the filament, they begin to disintegrate into their constituent parts. It turns out that the tungsten atoms released from the disintegrated compound return to the heated tungsten spiral or settle near it. The returned tungsten atoms extend the life of not only the filament, but also the bulb itself.

Halogen lamps have a very good color temperature, and the color spectrum emanating from them reproduces warmer tones than other lighting fixtures.

The distinctive features of such bulbs include:

The ability to create a variety of lighting options in rooms - from a beam of light, which will be narrowly directed in one direction, to creating a diffused light flux, which will be very wide, and remove the slightest hint of shadow.
The luminous flux will not fade after a certain time, even if such a lamp remains constantly on.
The lighting is brighter, although the wattage may be the same. For example, a conventional 60 watt incandescent lamp will be comparable in power to a 40 watt halogen lamp.
Its small size allows it to be used as spot lighting on suspended ceilings, creating even original lighting compositions.
The energy-saving effect is created by high brightness and improved color rendering.

An undeniable advantage can also be attributed long service life. In order for the selected device to serve you as long as possible, you need to choose the right type of light bulb, correlating its characteristics with your needs.

Classification and specifications

Despite the fact that halogen lamps are slightly inferior in efficiency to fluorescent lamps, they are very popular, since they do not require special modifications. They are used with a dimmer and backlit switch for both apartment and non-residential lighting. Using special lenses, "halogens" are also installed by many drivers in their car headlights.

Depending on the design features and methods of use, halogen lamps are divided into several types.

Linear lamp

This is the oldest type of such product. It is made in the form of a small-sized pipe made of quartz. It has two leads located on both sides. The filament is held in place thanks to the presence of special fasteners. Caps (R7s) are also placed on both sides of this lamp. In addition, it has a rather modest size. A similar product is characterized by high powerwhich it consumes, so it should not be used as a household lighting fixture.

Lamps are installed mainly for floodlighting.

There are also modern variations of a linear halogen lamp - a lamp that floods the light. It is characterized by high impact resistance. Such modifications can be used for domestic purposes as a source of indoor or outdoor lighting. Please note that most models of linear light bulbs should be located in horizontal planes so that the capacitors do not come out. Even a small tilt angle can damage this appliance, greatly shortening the service life.

With outer flask

This device operates on mains voltage. Its appearance is very similar to the usual incandescent lamp. The purpose of their production was to replace conventional incandescent bulbs. They do not need special fixtures or a specific connection method. Bulbs with external bulb can be connected directly to the household electrical network, without the use of a transformer. Such products are characterized by the usual standardized base E27 and E14.

If we take into account that the service life of tungsten lamps depends on the magnitude of the voltage, as well as how stable it is supplied, then during the installation of new lighting it is better to connect halogen products through a specialized device - a block for protecting halogen bulbs. Such a regulator will allow you to create a smooth start, acting as a filter, it will save the lighting device from unstable voltage operation.

The outer bulb can correspond in size and shape to a familiar incandescent light bulb. In the middle there will be a linear or tiny halogen bulb. The outer sheath is used to protect the quartz cone from unnecessary touching and contamination.

There are some variants of similar products, which will have different external flasks. They can be:

milky;
made of transparent glass;
frosted or tinted;
made of glass that almost completely absorbs ultraviolet rays.

Since the inner bulb is tiny in size, this contributes to the fact that the outer shell can also have miniature dimensions. Therefore, such capsule lamps can be used in tiny luminaires while maintaining sufficient illumination. They can also be produced as hexagons or candles to replace conventional bulbs in decorative fixtures.

With light reflector

This is one of the most popular types of halogen bulbs, the demand for which is constantly increasing, since they are used as spotlights, as well as to form lighting in the whole room. Thanks to the precise transmission of light, such products do not have a detrimental effect on the eyes and do not tire them. Such reflex lighting is used in children's rooms so that the child can draw, read and do what he likes for a long time without straining his eyes.

A reflective halogen lamp consists of a small cone located in the central part of a special reflective element - a reflector. Thanks to this device, redistribution and focusing of the light flux generated by the lamp into space is carried out. Reflectors are made from a variety of materials, but the most popular are aluminum reflectors, since they allow heat to be transferred forward, thereby protecting the surrounding surface from overheating.

Such a low-voltage capsule lamp can be easily used in open-type luminaires. Lamps with a light reflector can become a real decoration of the ceiling, forming a semblance of a starry sky or other optical illusions, depending on your imagination and the chosen style for decorating the room.

Infrared

They are considered an economical option for halogen bulbs, as they reflect infrared radiation. In such a product, the bulb has a special coating that does not allow the transmission of infrared rays, but allows them to be reflected back, returning them and halogen vapor back to the filament. In this regard, the power of such a light source is increased.

How to connect and replace?

Ask to test the halogen bulb before purchasing. Such a check will save you from unnecessary actions, for example, if after installing or replacing such a product, the light does not appear, then you will know that the problem is not in the lamp itself, but in the wiring or incorrect connection.

When installing and replacing light bulbs, follow some simple rules:

Do not touch light bulbs with bare hands. There is sebum on the hands, and even the smallest drop of it on such a device can greatly reduce the useful life.
Installation and replacement of such products is best done with cotton gloves. Some manufacturers add such gloves to the kit to the lamp or lamp. If these gloves are not on hand, use a dry, clean cloth.
If you touch the light bulb with your hand, be sure to degrease it. To do this, wipe the product with alcohol. Wait until it is completely dry, it will take some time (about half an hour). If you do not wait until it dries and start replacing the halogen bulbs, residues of alcohol may flare up during heating.
Take care of purchasing a transformer to which you can connect a dimmer. These components will protect halogen lamps from excessive voltage surges and protect devices from short circuits.

Place the transformer no closer than 30 centimeters from the bulbs to prevent overheating of the appliances.
Installing a special soft-start device will also help extend the life of such products. In addition to everything else, you will get a beautiful and eye-pleasing increase in the brightness of the lighting.
When reworking or replacing a burnt out light bulb, do not try to touch it immediately, it will be very hot and can burn you.
If you are installing a halogen light bulb in a suspended ceiling, then take care of creating excellent ventilation. Since during operation, such bulbs emit a large amount of heat and in the absence of ventilation, they will deteriorate and burn out faster.

After replacing the halogen bulb, it must be disposed of. Such products are safe, the content of halogens in them is negligible, so they can be thrown into the trash bin with other household waste.

Do not just throw such items into containers for glass recycling, since the structure of their glass is different from that from which the bottles are made.

Where are they used?

Halogen lamps are widely used for both indoor and outdoor lighting:

If such a product is large in size, then it is used as spotlights to illuminate streets or the territory of a country house.
Spotlights can perfectly blend into any interior, no matter what style it is made in. Such spot lighting can emphasize or delimit individual zones or transitions of space. For this purpose, capsule models or models with a reflector are used.
Such bulbs can be installed on stretch ceilings, built into aluminum or plasterboard structures, it all depends on design ideas and ideas.
Ceiling lamps can simulate a starry sky, creating a romantic mood or setting up a positive mood. By using dimmers, the lighting can be dimmed to create an intimate atmosphere in the bedroom.

As a replacement for the usual incandescent lamps, halogen models can be installed in chandeliers and other ceiling lamps.
Due to the fact that the lighting created by halogen bulbs does not adversely affect vision and does not tire the eyes, they are very often installed in floor lamps or bedside lamps. A directed beam of light will allow you to read an entertaining book or magazine while lying in bed or sitting comfortably in your favorite soft chair.
Halogen bulbs are no less popular among motorists, as they allow you to perfectly illuminate the road at night or in poor visibility conditions.

Comparison with LED: pros and cons

Despite the great popularity of halogen bulbs, some consumers prefer to opt for LED counterparts instead of halogen lamps. Asking which light bulbs are best for your home, let's try to compare two products by key characteristics:

If we analyze the consumption of electricity, then halogen bulbs consume more of it than diode ones. But compared to conventional incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs are a more economical and cost effective option.
Both models are characterized by high light transmission, the difference is that the LED backlight is capable of emitting light that differs in color temperature. That is, for example, the white light of diode bulbs can be different, ranging from warm to cold shades.
The brightest types of light bulbs are LEDs; with less electrical energy consumption, they produce more power. The disadvantages of halogen lamps can also be attributed to their heating during operation, diode lamps heat up to a lesser extent.

There are differences in the lifespan of similar products. Halogens shine and burn out after 2.5 thousand hours of continuous operation, for LED models this figure is higher and amounts to 100 thousand hours of continuous illumination.
Despite all of the above characteristics, halogen bulbs have a significant advantage over diode counterparts - this is their cost. Not everyone will be able to allocate a significant amount from the family budget for the purchase of one light bulb, not to mention if it is necessary to replace spotlights throughout the apartment or house. It will turn out to be a huge and impressive amount. Unlike diodes, everyone can afford halogens without causing serious damage to the family budget.
The disadvantages of diode lamps also include the impossibility of creating a uniform distribution of the light flux. They are generally characterized by directional flow, which in some cases can cause spotting.

How to choose the right one?

When purchasing halogen lamps, be sure to pay attention to the base and dimensions of the bulb itself. It is very important that such an element is located as far as possible from those parts of the luminaire that can melt under the influence of the increased heat emanating from the lamp. Otherwise, the lamp may deteriorate or cause a fire.

If it is planned to place halogen bulbs in a room where there is high humidity, for example, using it for a bath or lighting in a bathroom, then low-voltage options should be preferred.

Depending on personal preference, you can opt for the cool white light of halogen lamps or the warm yellow light.

Remember that for a study or office, where eyesight is constantly strained while working at a computer or various kinds of documentation, it is better to opt for a white light that will match daylight as much as possible. For a home environment, a soft yellow light is preferable, since the eyes in such lighting are not so much strained.

You can use original versions of lamps to create extraordinary spot lighting in suspended or suspended ceilings. If you plan to create lighting for exhibition stands, shop windows, as well as extraordinary lighting, it is recommended to use colored halogen lamps, for example, red, orange or blue.

Also, when choosing halogen lamps, you can focus on customer reviews who have already used a certain product.

Examples and variants

The most popular options for halogen lamps include:

Osram - lamps are used for installation in car headlights, illumination of retail areas, creating indoor and outdoor lighting in rooms and on the street.
Firms MTF - the company produces products that are used to create lighting in cars.
Japanese manufacturer Koito - the company offers a wide range and model range. Their products are installed for both indoor and outdoor lighting.
Domestic trade mark "Optima" - lamps are distinguished not only by high quality, but also by an acceptable price. Therefore, everyone can afford such a product, regardless of their income level.