One of the best innovations in lighting technology is the development of induction light bulbs. They are a great alternative to standard incandescent, compact fluorescent, and high pressure sodium lamps because they offer better energy efficiency, much longer life, and better quality light. They look similar to large CFLs in terms of design, but have distinct features that set them apart from these mainstream light bulbs. Induction lamps use power couplers and high-frequency generators instead of electrodes or filaments found in other bulbs. One of their biggest advantages is it is easy to convert to them. Venus and other series screw right into existing 120 or 277 volt sockets.
The inductor which is wrapped around the exterior of the lamp, produces a strong electromagnetic field that triggers the mercury vapor to produce invisible ultraviolet light. The UV light inside the bulb combined with the phosphor coating of the lamp converts into visible light. With this process, induction bulbs don't have the need for filaments or electrodes that can eventually become corroded or damaged.
Because they lack electrodes and filaments, induction light bulbs last much longer than other standard lighting products. Some lamps are rated to last up to 100,000 hours while still producing around 70% of their original light output. Compared to metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps, induction lamps have a rated life of five to thirteen times longer. They also last seven times longer than T12HO fluorescents. Induction lighting is ideally suited for high-ceiling applications where lamps usually are costly and difficult to access or hazardous to replace. Induction lamps are perfect for warehouses, gymnasiums, and industrial buildings. They perform well in extremely cold temperatures making them ideal for use in roadways, bridges, tunnels, signage, cold storage, tennis courts, hospitals, schools, parking garages, public spaces and security fixtures. Induction bulbs have competitive lifespans when compared to LEDs and are available in higher wattages. In fact, they have longer lifespans than LED lamps in many wattages.
Manufacturers of induction light bulbs are taking these lamps to the next level by incorporating other features that can work with induction lighting. Developments include smart controls, high quality manufacturing processes, fixture designs and other value-added improvements that enhance their capacity to produce more energy-efficient outputs. Manufacturers also try to make units with less mercury content and use recyclable materials such as aluminum and glass. Many have introduced lightweight designs that make installation a breeze, especially in applications where access is difficult and dangerous and in areas where instant start-up is required.
One of the bigger upsides of induction bulbs is that they are far less costly to maintain in terms of lamp replacement costs, labor replacement costs, and they have a much better color rendering (higher CRI) and better visibility when compared to high or low pressure sodium lighting. With modern lighting technology, induction lights have also become adaptable to many settings and/or environments where they can be strategically used.