What is Electronic Bulb?

An electronic bulb is a simple source of light. A light bulb is a simple apparatus that converts electrical energy into light energy, a wire filament is used which is used to glow on electricity. You can look around and instantly see electronic light bulbs. The electronic bulb changed uncountable things, like entertainment, mining, manufacturing, streetlamps, lighting, industries, war, and electricity uses.

In this article, we will learn about the electronic bulb, its properties, the working of the electronic bulb, parts of the electronic bulb, advantages and disadvantages of the electronic bulb.

Electronic Bulbs are sources to create artificial light. An electronic bulb is also known as an incandescent bulb. An incandescent bulb works on the principle of incandescence, a general term meaning light produced by heat. In an incandescent type of bulb, an electric current is passed through a thin metal filament, heating the filament until it glows and produces light.

We can say that it is an electrical lamp, which has transparent glass housing and is used for illumination. The sizes of the bulb vary with the light output and operation of the bulb within a voltage range.

In the evolution of bulbs first comes the oil lamp, second the gas lamp, third the incandescent bulb, fourth fluorescent bulbs and fifth the LED bulbs. The diagram below shows the early developments of bulbs.

The structure of the Electronic Bulb is very simple. It has three main components such as a tungsten filament, an electrical contact spiral base, and a glass mount filled with argon gas. The metal contacts are attached to two stiff wires such as Contact wire 1 and Contact wire 2, which are attached to a thin metal wire made of tungsten, that serves as a filament of the bulb. The filament sits in the middle of the bulb, held up by a glass mount. The wires and the filament are housed in a glass bulb, which is filled with an inert gas.

Electric bulb has three main parts which include:

• Filament
• Glass bulb
• Base of the Bulb

Filament

Filament is a coiled thin wire made up of tungsten and is connected with copper or lead wires that are connected to the base of the lamp, the wires and the filament is enclosed in a bulb which is filled with the inert gas- that protects the filament from burning and also makes it durable .It can become white hot and emits white light on electricity – for a long time. Tungsten is used because its melting point is high, which helps in avoiding melting of the filament.

• When electricity reaches the tungsten filament through copper and lead wires, the filament heats up and lights up.
• The thin wire that gives off light is called the filament.
• Filament of electric bulb is made of tungsten.

Glass Bulb

It is made up of glass and contain argon gas. Argon gas increases the life duration of filament. It contains the wires and the filament which are connected to the base and also the inert gas which helps in protection of the filament. Thin glass is used to prevent the air from reaching the filament and so that burning does not take place.

Base of the Bulb

It helps to keep the light bulb in an upright position and also connects the electrical bulb to the circuit. As the power is passed to the bulb, which then passes through the filaments and base connect the bulb to the electric circuit. There are two types of bases of an electric bulb: Spiral base and two side nails base

• An Electronic bulb is made up of positive (+ve) and negative (-ve) terminals embedded inside glass, with a tungsten that joins the two. The thin wire that gives off light is called the filament.
• When electricity supplied to the terminals, the flow of electrons heats up the thin filament, in between the electrons continue to bang against the filament until it heats up to the point that it begins to glow. This process happens extremely quickly.
• When electric power is passed through the bulb, it reaches the filament through copper and lead wires. The base holds the bulb upright and connects to the electric circuit. Copper and lead wires let the electricity pass from the base to the tungsten filament. It causes the filament to emit the light and glow.
• The air inside the glass is actually a small amount of inert gas that helps prevent the filament from becoming too hot and breaking.

Some properties of electronic bulb are:

• Filament is made up of tungsten.
• High melting point.
• Electric bulb has low vapor pressure.
• Electric bulb is free from oxidation in inert gas (i.e. argon, nitrogen etc.)
• Electronic bulb is medium at operating temperature, and it is non-corrosive.
• Electronic bulbs have high resistivity.
• Low thermal coefficient of expansion.

The two types of electronic bulbs are:

• Incandescent bulb
• Fluorescent bulb

Incandescent Electronic Bulb

The incandescent electronic bulbs are bulbs in which an electric current flow through the filament converting electricity into light.

Fluorescent Electronic Bulb

The electronic bulbs that use argon gas, glass tube and small amount of mercury are called fluorescent bulbs. The light is generated because of phosphor coating collected in the bulb walls due to electron movement.

Some applications of electronic bulb are:

• It is used in desk lamp or table lamp.
• It is used in hotel and malls.
• It is used as an outdoor bulb.
• It is used as an accent lighting.
• It is used as household lighting and commercial lighting.
• It is used in vehicle lights.

Some of the advantages and disadvantages of electronic bulb are given below:

Advantages

Some of the advantages of electronic bulb are given below:

• It has low cost and economical.
• It has no stroboscopic effect.
• It has Unity power factor.
• Low price due to low initial cost.
• Easy operation and usage.
• It produces high output.
• It is easy to install.
• It is available in various sizes and shapes.
• It has longer life than any other source of light.

Disadvantages

Some of the disadvantages of electronic bulb are given below:

• Power loss is more.
• Lifetime is only 1000hrs.
• Efficiency is less (12 Lm/w).
• Electric bulb is made of glass, so it is fragile and should be handled with care.
• It produces warm light.
• It is energy inefficient.
• Its lifespan is short compared to LED or fluorescent tubes.
• The filament is fragile- when under stress it easily gets damaged.

Some of the safety and precautionary measures while using electronic bulb are listed below:

Safety while Using Electronic Bulb

Safety must not be compromised, and some precautions need to be followed before using or changing an electric bulb:

• Do not drop the lamp, expose it to impact with hard objects, handle it with force, or scratch the surface. The broken bulb may cause injuries.
• When replacing the bulb, check the rating (voltage and wattage) and socket base design of the new bulb. Ensure the new bulb in positioned correctly and snap it firmly into the socket. A loosely fitted bulb may come out of the socket or overheat.
• Do not touch the bulb with your bare hands and avoid direct contact with the skin while the lamp is lit up or just after turning it off. The hot bulb may cause burns.
• Before replacing the bulb, turn off the lamp, and let the bulb cool down. The hot bulb may cause burns.
• After replacing the bulb, check to ensure no portion of the light fixtures or electric cord is touching the bulb. If this occurs, the heated fixtures or cord may cause a fire.
• Dispose of the used bulb on a basis. If the bulb is shattered, the broken pieces of glass may cause injuries.
• Keep the bulb out of reach of infants and small children. Because they may swallow it.

Precautions while Fixing an Electronic Bulb

• First you need to turn the Main Source of Power Off
• Next Give old bulb some time to cool down
• Next use safe equipment to reach the bulb
• Be Careful When Taking off the Old Bulb Out
• Finally, you can install the Right Replacement Bulb.

In conclusion, without the invention of the electronic bulb, the way we would have lived our lives would be very different. It probably wouldn’t be as developed as it is today either. The invention of the incandescent light bulb is a huge turning point in our lives and industries. Everywhere there are light bulbs. The greatest lighting source by far is the light bulb.

We learned that the light bulb is very important to history and the future. We have seen the properties and working of an electronic bulb. We have also learnt some safety and precaution that are needed to be follow while using electronic bulb.

How long do Electronic Bulb last?

The Electronic bulb lasts around 1,000 hours, while fluorescent bulb last around 8,500 hours.

How the Electronic Bulb glows?

When the electrons flow the current generates, this current also flows through the bulb. An Electronic bulb has a thin filament made of tungsten which offer resistance when current flows through it and hence, the electrical energy changes into heat and light energy, so this is how the electronic bulb glows.

Why does an Electronic Bulb get hot?

When Electronic bulb is switched on, the filament glows, emitting heat. That heat would fall on the glass that protect the filament; thus, an electronic bulb becomes hot.

How often we should replace an Electronic Bulb?

The Electronic light bulbs usually last around 750-1000 hours. So if you use your electric bulb for about six hours a day, then you will need to be replace the bulb for every four to six months.