What Are Xenon Arc Lamps?
The goal of lighting is to brighten an area that lacks natural illumination, and lighting may be used for safety, directions, symbolism, communication, and so much more. The xenon arc lamp is a specialized gas discharge lamp capable of mimicking natural sunlight as it passes electrical currents through pressurized, ionized gas to produce illumination. Due to the type and quality of lighting that they provide, lamp xenon arc equipment is often utilized for theaters, searchlights, industrial testing, and research. In this blog, we will provide a brief overview of the xenon arc lamp, allowing you to better understand their common types and usage.
As of the present, xenon arc lamps can belong to one of three categories, those of which are continuous-output xenon short-arc lamps, continuous-output xenon long-arc lamps, and xenon flash lamps. While the three types exhibit various differences that set them apart, all feature either a fused quartz or an alternative heat-resistant glass arc tube that has tungsten metal electrodes on each end. The lamp xenon glass tube is evacuated and filled with xenon gas, and xenon flashtubes will have an additional trigger electrode located on the exterior. While the service life of a particular lamp will vary based on its individual design and power consumption rate, most will perform optimally for around 500 to 1,500 hours before requiring a replacement.
Despite the ability of xenon arc lamps to create a similar light as compared to daylight, their efficacy is low in regard to lumens of visible light output per watt of input power. Nevertheless, they are popularly used for entertainment, allowing for projection screens to achieve the necessary illumination for properly displaying media from a distance. As the lamp xenon arc is quite small, it can be focused with decent precision. With this capability, xenon arc lamps can be constructed in small sizes to serve microscopes and other scientific instruments for illumination. Meanwhile, larger versions can be constructed for searchlights where narrow, focused beams are employed for search and rescue purposes.
Within the realm of aviation, xenon arc lamps are also quite important. With their use, aircraft can have an easier time landing on runways during low-light conditions, the xenon lamps being relied on for creating sufficient light for touchdown. Xenon lamps, in general, are also being experimented with as a safer alternative to UV disinfection, allowing for pathogens in the air, water, and on surfaces to be removed with ease. As a result, xenon lamps can serve multiple applications within the aerospace industry.
Similar to a number of other gas discharge lamps, xenon short-arc lamps exhibit a negative temperature coefficient. This means that they function well with high-current, low-voltage direct current while requiring a high voltage pulse between 20 kV and 50 kV for starting. Due to the fact that xenon short-arc lamps can suffer from plasma oscillation and thermal runaway, they are known to be unstable. As a result, they should always be paired with a power supply that can function without flame flickering, ensuring that electrodes are kept safe.
If you find yourself in need of lighting equipment to facilitate your various operations, trust in the experts at ASAP Aerospace Hub to fulfill your part needs with time and cost savings. Whether you are in search of lamp xenon replacement parts, lighting equipment, aircraft components, electronics, or other such products, we have you covered with our unrivaled inventory. Explore our expansive database of items at your leisure and find xenon lamp components from top manufacturers such as Christie Digital Systems USA Inc, Bausch And Lomb Inc, Spectrolab Inc, Xenonics Inc, and Optical Radiation Corporation ready for purchase at any time. With our Instant RFQ service, customers can rapidly request quotes for their comparisons with ease, and team members will always provide responses within 15 minutes of receiving a completed form. Experience the future of procurement with ASAP Aerospace Hub and see why customers choose to steadily rely on us for sourcing all their requirements.
- charles price
- Posted on December 15, 2021 aviation
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