How does an infrared lamp work?
The device is a highly efficient heating equipment connected to the electrical network. This is a source of infrared radiation that has the property of heating not the air, but the directly surrounding objects. The simplest examples are glass vessels with a tungsten thread inside. Usually their surface has a dark red tint; from the inside you can see a mirror surface. In most cases, the light bulb must be placed in a standard socket, which is then suspended above the heating area. Some options require special ammo.
IR lamp Source oboiman.ru
You can also find small infrared heating lamps on sale. Externally, such devices look like thin glass tubes with a nitrogen-argon mixture pumped inside. In this way, a small device is created that heats the room well. Heat is generated using the same tungsten filament as in conventional light sources.
IR rays Source lampaexpert.ru
An infrared lamp is an economical and fairly powerful radiation object. The average power of a standard device ranges from 50 to 500 W. Higher technical properties are typical for heaters. During the radiation process, the surface of the lamp becomes very hot, so you should not touch it to avoid getting burned. It is also better to screw the device into ceramic rather than plastic cartridges, since the latter can simply melt from the hot surface of the device.
Production with IR lamps Source amperof.ru
In infrared lamps, sputtering plays an important role - it increases the efficiency of the device and gives the rays the necessary direction. If there is no reflective coating, it is replaced by external elements. If you combine several light bulbs into one device, you get an IR illuminator.
Ceiling with lamps Source chudoclumba.ru
Operating principle
The way IR bulbs work was borrowed from natural phenomena. The largest source of this type is the Sun. Its rays first hit the Earth, as well as all objects and buildings located there, and the air itself warms up from them. Thus, heat transfer occurs only to surface elements, while the air space becomes warm due to the heating of the landscape.
Lamp and chickens Source termopaneli59.ru
The same principle was used as the basis for the operation of IR lamps. The radiation passes through all surrounding objects and instantly heats them. We can notice this when we raise our hand to a light bulb and feel the warmth appearing from within. All heaters with infrared lamps work in a similar way:
- Voltage is applied to the emitter;
- The coil heats up;
- The radiation spreads around the device.
Short waves mean very bright illumination and high power, allowing you to heat large areas. Lamps with long wavelengths are dimmer, but they are much softer in their effect.
IR heater Source usamodelkina.ru
Pros of IR lamps
The infrared lamp has gained popularity among consumers due to its significant advantages:
- No noise or vibration. Fans and other devices are not needed to distribute radiation, so any sounds are completely excluded.
- High efficiency. This figure is just under 100%. A higher number cannot be achieved due to physical laws.
- Spot heating. It is convenient for use in animal cages and pens. Many agricultural and farming enterprises purchase such devices to heat rooms with pigs, livestock, and poultry.
- Small size. Standard infrared lamps do not exceed the dimensions of ordinary incandescent light bulbs.
- Easy installation of the product. The device is quickly installed in the cartridge, then you can turn it on using a regular switch.
- Environmentally friendly. The equipment does not burn oxygen and does not pollute the atmosphere with harmful emissions.
Chicken coop with lamps Source gscomplect.com
Conclusions and useful video
It is hardly cost-effective to use infrared heating to heat a large house. But it is well suited for additional, spot heating. With its help, it is easy to organize heating where there is only electricity. In addition, ILs are convenient in crop production, animal husbandry, and drying of varnishes and paints.
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Disadvantages of devices
Like any other item, an IR lamp has certain disadvantages. You should definitely familiarize yourself with them before purchasing such a lamp. The main disadvantages of the device:
- High electrical energy consumption. This is a property of all devices of this type.
- Feeling of discomfort while staying near lamps for a long time. This is especially true when safety standards are violated.
- The hot surface of the flasks can cause burns if handled carelessly.
Room with infrared heater Source tehznatok.com
Scope of application of IR lamps
Despite some disadvantages, infrared heating lamps are widely used in various areas of the economy. The device is used not only in everyday life, but also in industry, medicine and other areas of production. Such devices have achieved the greatest popularity among livestock workers who use lamps to heat rooms. They are also sometimes used to work in open areas.
Area with lamps Source kaminguru.com
Livestock
An infrared lamp is an ideal device for raising young animals and heating animals. Such equipment can often be found in housing for cows, chickens and horses. Such radiation is especially useful for chicks, as it helps them stay warm in cold winters. Chickens will happily sit under the device, basking in its rays. To heat large cages and rooms, a large lamp is useful, which allows you to regulate the temperature.
Chicken coop with heater Source termopaneli59.ru
Comparison of electricity consumption with other types of heaters
As an example, we take a long-wave device that is in demand. The power of IR equipment is approximately 1.5 kW. Calculation of energy consumption will be carried out under the following conditions:
- The room has 15 square meters.
- The air temperature outside is -200C.
- Desired room temperature +200C.
Fan heaters will be placed in the last place. They have low efficiency and consume approximately 2.5 kW/h.
Oil radiators will be less wasteful. They consume approximately 1-2 kWh, but heat up very slowly.
Convection appliances (convectors) come with relatively low energy consumption. They consume approximately 1-1.5 kW/h.
Source: setafi.com
Space heating
Outdoor heaters are created based on a halogen infrared lamp. They are characterized by a short wavelength and low power, but at the same time they are capable of heating large spaces. Heating devices with such devices are often used next to swimming pools, on verandas and terraces. Catering establishments also use a similar solution to organize outdoor areas. The radiation brings a feeling of warmth and comfort, which is why visitors respond positively to such devices.
Heater on the street Source vencore.ru
On the streets, infrared lamps are the only effective method of heating, since other devices cannot cope in such conditions. Tube heaters of this type are often used in commercial properties and residential buildings. The equipment is installed on the walls or even on the ceiling of the room, creating a suitable temperature in it. Lamps with short or medium wavelength are suitable for this. In this case, such heaters are usually used as additional devices if the main devices cannot cope with their tasks.
Restaurant with heaters Source kemerovo.buranrussia.ru
Sauna installation
With the help of infrared lamps, things are heated from the inside, since the radiation freely penetrates into materials to a depth of 4 cm. The same applies to the human body, therefore such devices have a positive effect on health and are a good prevention of various diseases. Exposure to infrared rays is beneficial for joints, skin and internal organs. By placing such a device in saunas, you can significantly lose weight, since excess fluid, as well as accumulated toxins and wastes, are removed along with sweat.
IR sauna Source medium.com
Being near an infrared lamp helps increase blood circulation and heart rate, and provokes active burning of calories. Regular exposure to infrared radiation has a positive effect on skin diseases, allowing you to fight dermatitis, eczema and other problems of this kind. Staying in a sauna strengthens the walls of blood vessels, which prevents heart disease and problems with arteries.
Sauna with lamps Source saunapiter.ru
Features of choosing the appropriate option
Most often, the IR lamp is designed for a standard E-27 cartridge, but there are other options; this point should be taken into account before purchasing.
In addition to the type of base, when choosing an infrared lamp, you should take into account such indicators as:
- IR radiation wavelength
- heating device power
- voltage .
Long, medium and short wave infrared radiation differ in the amount of heat and light. The brighter the infrared lamp shines, the shorter the radiation wave, and the further the area of its penetration.
The heat of devices emitting long waves is considered to be milder in effect. There are usually no problems with voltage, since household appliances of this type are traditionally designed for a voltage of 220 W in a regular network.
To avoid getting burned on the surface of the infrared lamp, and to protect the device from damage, you should use protective grilles
As for power, it is chosen depending on the size of the area that needs to be heated. For 10 square meters it is recommended to take 1 kW of power. You can slightly increase the resulting figure, depending on the heat loss.
This is true for poorly insulated rooms, objects located on a cold floor, if the room has old windows with cracks in dry frames, etc.
IR lamps vary in shape and diameter, they are marked according to these characteristics. To understand the dimensions of the product from the code, you will have to do some calculations. The numerical indicators that are indicated next to the letter code must be divided by 4 to obtain the diameter dimensions in inches.
The result obtained is easy to convert into centimeters. For example, for a PAR38 lamp the calculations would be as follows: 38:4=4.75 inches; 4.75*2.54=12.07 cm. The letters indicate the shape of the flask, the code meaning is presented in the table:
The shape of the infrared lamp bulb can be very different; this point is reflected by letter markings. The short body fits better under the lampshade, reducing glare
The number R indicates the presence of a reflector. Such models usually have a very simple design. The glass part of the bulb through which the radiation passes is monolithically connected to the reflector; inside there is a layer of reflective paint. The lighting angle is more than 45 degrees.
Models marked BR are lamps with a convex reflector coated with paint or other reflective material.
The transparent bulb combined with it can be glossy or matte; sometimes there is an option with cells that reduce the level of radiation scattering. Such models also usually have a lighting angle of over 45 degrees.
IR lamps are well suited for uniform and gentle drying of various surfaces that have been painted or coated with a layer of varnish
PAR type models are equipped with an aluminum-coated parabolic reflector. A tempered glass flask with a cellular structure is attached to it. The precisely calculated shape of both elements ensures complete sealing of the device.
Typically, such models are slightly shorter than the analogues described above; they are considered more reliable and suitable for use in difficult conditions.
