6-20 I E S LIGHTING HANDBOOK

50
0.38
I
POSITIVE CRATER RADIATION ONLY
13.6 MM SUPER HIGH INTENSITY POSITIVE
7/[
6
-INCH EXTRA HEAVY COPFER
COATED NEGATIVE
1
d
a
b
0.70 0.45 0.50 0.55 0.60 0.65
WAVELENGTH IN MICRONS
1 micron =
10,000 angstroms =
1/10,000 centimeter
FIG. 6-14. Spectral distribution of radiant
energy at a distance of 10 feet from a direct-
current arc (high-intensity, motion-picture-
projector carbons) operated at (a) 185 amperes,
75 volts; (b) 140 amperes, 60 volts.
CARBON-ARC LAMPS
Arc sources, which were the first commercial^ practical electric light
sources, now are used where an extremely high brightness "point" source
is necessary, or where their radiant energy spectrum is advantageous.
Figure 6-14 shows the spectral
energy distribution from a
high-intensity, direct-current
arc (motion picture projector
carbons). Arcs may be oper-
ated either in the open air or
within a glass or quartz en-
closure.
Because of the negative volt-
ampere characteristic of arcs,
they must be operated on cir-
cuits including ballast resis-
tances or reactances (either in
the generating or rectifying
equipment or as separate units
in the arc circuit). In starting
a carbon arc it is necessary to
bring the two electrodes to-
gether instantaneously, after
which they are separated to
the proper distance to main-
tain the correct arc voltage and current. These conditions can be main-
tained and the carbon fed manually, but in most carbon arc lamps
automatic mechanisms feed the carbons as they are consumed, and regulate
the arc length and position of the light source.
13
'
19
The source of light in a carbon arc is the incandescent solid crater in the
plain- or low-intensity arc, the incandescent vapors of the cerium rare-
earths in the cup-shaped crater of the high-intensity arc, and the arc
stream or "flame" in the flame arc, as shown in Fig. 1-10, page 1-15.
Table 6-4 gives the color characteristics of various arcs in reference to
average daylight and to sunlight. See Section 14 for applications.
ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LAMPS FOR LIGHTING APPLICATIONS
Mercury, sodium, and neon are the elements most widely used at pres-
ent in discharge lamps because the temperature, pressure, voltage, and
other related considerations necessary to produce light utilizing these ele-
ments are relatively easy and inexpensive to provide. Different metals
may be used for electrodes. These are often coated with electron-emis-
sive barium or strontium oxide. Electrodes emit electrons more readily
when hot than when cold.'
20
Once started, discharge lamps may operate at less than line voltage;
the heating effect of the arc keeps the electrodes hot regardless of starting
temperature. The enclosed arc emits light at the instant when the dis-
charge begins between one electrode acting as a cathode and the other
acting as an anode. If connected to an alternating-current power supply,
the electrodes exchange functions as the power supply changes polarity.