D7BCT datasheet(25/54 Pages) OSRAM

25 / 54 page

2. Function and technical design

OSRAM DULUX® EL – electronic energy saving lamps

Economical alternatives to ordinary light bulbs

Technical Guide

Function and

technical design

2.1

Generation of light

As with all fluorescent lamps, light is generated in an OSRAM DULUX® EL lamp

by low pressure gas discharge. Electrical current is passed between the two

electrodes in the tube which is filled with partially ionised gas. The electrons

excite mercury atoms to emit short-wave ultra-violet light, which is converted

into visible light in the phosphor layer on the inside of the tube (Fig. 2).

Different light colours are produced depending on the phosphor mix.

Fig. 2: Generation of light in a fluorescent lamp

Compared with an incandescent lamp, the process described for generating light

needs only around 1/4 of the electrical energy (1/5 if electronic control gear is used).

The presence of mercury in the filler gas is crucial for optimum energy conversion in

the light generation process.

OSRAM DULUX® EL lamps are designed so that the optimum mercury pressure is

achieved in the base-up position at an ambient temperature of 25°C.

K Nucleus

H Shell electron of the atom,

on an inner orbit

e- Exciting electron due to

surge energy

A* Excited electron,

on an outer orbit

R Radiation on transition from

Light

Ultra-violett

radiation

Visible light

Phosphor

Hg atom

D7BCT Datasheet(PDF) 25 Page - OSRAM GmbH