Outdoor street lighting plays an important role in people's lives. Searchlights and lamps mounted on masts, various poles, overpasses improve visibility at night. Light is very necessary not only on the night streets of a big city, but also in the yards of small sleeping areas, and in private households.
Earlier, the same lanterns were used as searchlights, which were installed along the roads. Lanterns practically did not differ from each other in terms of design and principle of operation. Today the situation has changed: in order for street lamps, spotlights, lanterns for summer cottages to meet the requirements, you will have to work hard. Today's selection of outdoor lighting equipment is amazing. Especially popular halogen equipment. With the help of these lamps, sculptures and other cultural values, billboards, facades are illuminated.
A bit of history
The very first outdoor lighting system used for street lighting was built inAmsterdam in the 17th century. The project was developed by one of the employees of the fire department of this city. It was necessary to install about 2.5 thousand lamps. Oil lamps were used as a light source, and they were not used until 1840.
This experience was also appreciated in other countries and cities. So, in 1807, gas lamps for outdoor lighting began to appear in London. And in Moscow, the streets began to be illuminated in 1730.
Today is not the 17th century, so a halogen spotlight is used as a source of illumination for both city streets and private cottages.
What are the requirements for outdoor lighting sources
Outdoor lighting systems are very different from indoor lighting fixtures. Differences in everything - in design, in the method of installation, in technical characteristics. A searchlight with a motion sensor for the street is also chosen according to other principles. And if such a parameter as color temperature is important for indoor use, then power is important for such lamps.
Light output of a light source - the ratio of the luminous flux emitted by the source to the power consumed by it. As a rule, lamps, spotlights for outdoor lighting are predominantly halogen. Their light output is at the level of 85-150 lm/W.
Another parameter is the service life. It is very important when choosing a particular device. Since the process of replacing a spotlight is quite laborious, the long service life is a big plus.
What to focus onwhen choosing
When choosing a street lighting system, there are a few things to consider. So, the climatic features of those territories where the halogen spotlight will work are very important. Also important is the intensity of traffic in the area that needs to be illuminated. In addition, they take into account the impact of the external environment, the need for a territory in saturated light, installation features.
Floodlights operate in conditions of high humidity, as well as sudden temperature changes, so it is important to take into account the level of protection. This indicator indicates whether moisture or other foreign bodies can penetrate into the luminaire body. For example, a halogen spotlight should have a protection level of 23 IP for the electrical part, as well as 54 IP for the sealed lamp compartment.
Halogen outdoor light
This is a popular outdoor lighting fixture. They are used almost everywhere. These lamps illuminate both city streets and private households.
Device
The device is based on halogen spotlight lamps. They are a cylinder filled with a buffer gas. It is this component that allows you to increase their service life several times.
Tungsten wire is used as the basis for the lamp. The wire is shaped using special electrodes and holders.
Operation principle
The halogen spotlight works on the principle of the formation of tungstenhalides, the evaporation of which triggers the processes of decay and reduction of tungsten. This action is a closed loop.
Previously, iodine atoms were used in such lamps, but this caused certain disadvantages. Iodine turned out to be highly aggressive to metals, and the light was green. In addition, it was not possible to calculate the iodine rate necessary for the stable operation of the lamp.
Then bromine, chlorine and fluorine were used in lamps. And these substances failed to give the lamp the necessary characteristics. Modern halogen bulbs use methyl bromide or methylene. These substances have the properties necessary for work. Lamps with a long service life contain pure bromine in the bulb, but their cost is prohibitive.
A halogen lamp works when electricity is applied to a tungsten filament. The spiral heats up and emits light. Operating temperatures rise and the tungsten begins the evaporation process. Metal atoms settle on the walls of the cylinder, and the atoms of bromine or other substances return the metal to its original state.
How the lamp works
Even a not very powerful 150 W halogen spotlight will allow you to achieve optimal distribution and angular concentration of light. The spotlight has a lamp, as well as a special lens that concentrates the light in a certain direction. In most modern models, Fresnel-type lenses are used. Additionally, outdoor spotlights are protected from dust and moisture.
Halogen lighting benefits
These lamps emitbeautiful light, which can be both soft and diffused or, conversely, hard. The halogen lamp has a richer light, and the brightness can be adjusted.
Halogen spotlights are very durable, and the luminous flux is constant throughout the entire period of use. These products can withstand even strong power surges. Lamps for spotlights are small in size, which saves energy. Such devices are reliable in any climate zone.
The spotlight device allows you to adjust any angle of illumination. Powerful lighting equipment does not require special starting equipment. Also, a spotlight with a motion sensor for the street will help save electricity.
Types of halogen spotlights
Lamps vary in color. So, there are transparent and matte. If we talk about the structure of the lamp, then there are linear, with an external bulb, with a reflector and capsule-type lamps.
Spotlight with motion sensor for street
This is the same halogen spotlight, but it is additionally equipped with a sensor that reacts to movement. The lighting device will light up at the moment when the sensor detects movement in a certain area. This is a very economical appliance.
The device is a one-piece product, and it is very easy to install and connect it. The device is installed using a special bracket, which has an element for fastening. The device is nailed with standard dowel nails into the already createdholes.
Connecting this equipment to the network is also very simple. The output wires are three wires. One of them is yellow or green, the other is black, the third is blue. There are options, but the ground wire is always yellow or red. To connect, you need other wires that connect to zero and phase.
It is advisable to install the device through the switch. The sensor can even work on small pets, which can sometimes cause inconvenience.
Purchase
How to choose a halogen spotlight? Before making such a purchase, you need to pay attention to several important nuances. If you need to get light similar to sunlight, then a device with a transparent lamp is recommended. Frosted lamps produce a white color with a bluish tinge.
For outdoor mounting, a device equipped with a motion sensor is recommended. When choosing, the number of luminous flux is important - they are chosen according to the area of \u200b\u200billumination. The very bright light that the 500 W halogen spotlight gives is not appropriate in all situations.
It is important to carefully consider the body of the device. It is recommended to carefully study the body, the glass part of the light bulb, the quantity and quality of the reflectors. These devices are made of aluminum, so they will not overheat - you should purchase just such devices. Tempered glass lamps withstand even severe mechanical stress.
Cost and manufacturers
These lighting devices are produced all over the world and even in our country. Atit is not recommended to buy Chinese halogen spotlights, their price is affordable (up to 700 rubles), but the quality is frankly low. But there are also worthy manufacturers in China. Other high-quality devices are produced by Philips, Galad and other well-known brands. The price for them is from 2 thousand rubles.
