Halogen lamps have the highest quality color reproduction. According to the principle of operation and structure, they are similar to incandescent lamps, but they also have some differences. A spiral of heat-resistant tungsten is sealed in a glass flask filled with an inert gas. The bulb of a halogen lamp is made of quartz glass, which has a high melting point. This makes it possible to make the flask smaller and to increase the internal pressure. This makes it possible to increase the temperature of the coil and leads to greater light output and longer life.
All halogen lamps are divided into two main groups: low-voltage (up to 24 V) and mains voltage (220 V). In addition, they come in various types: linear, with an external bulb, directional light, capsule (finger).
Halogen lamps with an external bulb and directional light lamps are used to illuminate the premises. Lamps with an outer glass bulb may look like a conventional incandescent lamp, but are usually made smaller, which is why they are used in miniature chandeliers and sconces. Suchhalogen lamps have standard Edison sockets and can replace incandescent lamps in conventional lighting fixtures. The outer flask can be made of transparent, milky or frosted
glass, may have a decorative look (hexagonal, candle-shaped, etc.).
For spot lighting, halogen lamps with reflectors are used, which are also called directional lamps. They are produced in several sizes with different radiation angles. The most common is the aluminum reflector, which directs most of the light and heat forward, creating a directional beam of light. There are also interference reflectors that do not conduct heat forward, as in aluminum reflectors, but backwards, lamps with an IRC reflector, which reflect heat back to the coil, increasing the temperature of the coil and reducing power consumption.
Halogen lamps must be connected through special transformers (electronic or electromagnetic), which provide the necessary operating voltage for them (6V, 12V, 24V).
Directional lamps (with reflectors) can also be low-voltage or mains voltage, but the socles are two-pin. Mains voltage lamps are only available with G10 and G9 sockets. This is done so that they cannot be confused with low-voltage ones. This type of lighting is also called recessed halogen lamps. They are often used in the organization of lighting. Thanks to narrowdirectivity of the light flux with their help, you can achieve interesting effects. For the same purposes, miniature capsule (finger) lamps are used. They also have 2-pin bases only and can be used in general lighting fixtures.
The advantage of halogen lamps is their high light output, and the disadvantage is too white light and the presence of ultraviolet radiation (although there are lamps that screen out this type of rays). Due to the presence of ultraviolet rays, objects painted with unstable paints may fade faster.
