Lamp Wattage ??? - tanTALK

bsmart · 12-12-2002, 01:44 PM

Recently a lamp manufacturer announced the birth of the 220W fluorscent tanning system.
Can someone take a shot at explaining how the wattage of a fluorscent lamp is determined?

Typically incandescent lamps consume power based on the filament design in the bulb. Power (wattage) is a product of the voltage applied to the bulb and the current drawn through the bulb. The resistance of the filament determines how much current will be allowed to pass through it. The lower the resistance, the higher the current flow, thus the higher wattage, and a proportional increase in the light given off.

In the fluorscent lamp circuit, is the current flow determined by the lamp design or the ballast? The ballast is basically a voltage step-up transformer that ignites the mercury gas within the lamp allowing it to give off light.

What determines the current flow in the fluorscent circuit? how are ballasts' ratings determined? (80W, 100W, 160W, 200W, 220W) What about Ergolines 120W & 170W, are they legit?

How does the power factor capacitor figure into the wattage rating?

Does more wattage equal better tanning capability, or just more power consumption?

Is the amount of UV light produced, directly proportional to the wattage of the lamp?

Philips · 12-31-2002, 11:30 AM

Ballast output determines the lamp running wattage.

6 foot Lamps of this type are typically in two categories /HO and /VHO this corresponds to 100W and 160W ratings.

160W or higher rated lamps are lamps designed to deal better with the higher wattages and heat generated. In the same lamp more wattage means more tanning power. But there are some faster tanning 100W lamps than some 160W. So tanning Te depends on both wattage and phosphor.

Power factor is the mismatch between voltage and current. This is caused by inductors ( ballasts ) being the main load in the bed. A capacitor corrects this. Significant offsets yield less efficent use of your electricty.

How is wattage determined. As above for 6 foot lengths ( F71-F74) break into two general catagories /HO and /VHO. Shorter versions say 5 foot for beds with face tanners would be 80 and 140W. These are general numbers as the ballast really determines the actual output.

I wouldn't want to step into anyone's marketing program. However putting 160W lamps of the same type into your 100W bed would not give you a 160W bed would it?

2 meter lamps being longer are typically rated higher.

Did I cover all your questions?

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12-12-2002, 01:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
bsmart Join Date: May 2 2002 Location: 2621 W Main Suite 9 Posts: 616 Rep Power: 22	Recently a lamp manufacturer announced the birth of the 220W fluorscent tanning system. Can someone take a shot at explaining how the wattage of a fluorscent lamp is determined? Typically incandescent lamps consume power based on the filament design in the bulb. Power (wattage) is a product of the voltage applied to the bulb and the current drawn through the bulb. The resistance of the filament determines how much current will be allowed to pass through it. The lower the resistance, the higher the current flow, thus the higher wattage, and a proportional increase in the light given off. In the fluorscent lamp circuit, is the current flow determined by the lamp design or the ballast? The ballast is basically a voltage step-up transformer that ignites the mercury gas within the lamp allowing it to give off light. What determines the current flow in the fluorscent circuit? how are ballasts' ratings determined? (80W, 100W, 160W, 200W, 220W) What about Ergolines 120W & 170W, are they legit? How does the power factor capacitor figure into the wattage rating? Does more wattage equal better tanning capability, or just more power consumption? Is the amount of UV light produced, directly proportional to the wattage of the lamp?

12-31-2002, 11:30 AM	#2 (permalink)
Philips Join Date: Aug 16 2002 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 41 Rep Power: 0	Ballast output determines the lamp running wattage. 6 foot Lamps of this type are typically in two categories /HO and /VHO this corresponds to 100W and 160W ratings. 160W or higher rated lamps are lamps designed to deal better with the higher wattages and heat generated. In the same lamp more wattage means more tanning power. But there are some faster tanning 100W lamps than some 160W. So tanning Te depends on both wattage and phosphor. Power factor is the mismatch between voltage and current. This is caused by inductors ( ballasts ) being the main load in the bed. A capacitor corrects this. Significant offsets yield less efficent use of your electricty. How is wattage determined. As above for 6 foot lengths ( F71-F74) break into two general catagories /HO and /VHO. Shorter versions say 5 foot for beds with face tanners would be 80 and 140W. These are general numbers as the ballast really determines the actual output. I wouldn't want to step into anyone's marketing program. However putting 160W lamps of the same type into your 100W bed would not give you a 160W bed would it? 2 meter lamps being longer are typically rated higher. Did I cover all your questions?

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