LIGHT SOURCES 6-33

The relationship between mercury vapor pressure and current density

inside a lamp and the voltage supplied by the electrical circuit is chosen
so that under normal operating conditions the output of the arc discharge
through a lamp is largely in the 0.2537-micron-wavelength ultraviolet-
spectrum line, which is presently the most efficient in producing fluores-
cence.
29
Most of the many straight and circular lamp types mass-produced in
the United States are standardized with respect to their nominal photo-
metric, color, electrical, and mechanical characteristics. For the most
part, different manufacturer's lamps of the standardized types are me-
chanically and electrically interchangeable.
Custom-made fluorescent lamps in several different diameters and
colors are prepared on order in lengths and forms designed for a particular
installation.
Fluorescent sources are electric discharge lamps. Like all other dis-
charge lamps, they have a negative resistance characteristic and therefore
must be operated in series with a current-controlling ballast. The type
designed for use on low-voltage circuits with a special manual or automatic
starting switch requires a short (3-4 second) preheat period after closing
the circuit before the arc strikes. Other types are designed for circuits
which provide a higher starting voltage (400-15,000 volts). In these, the
discharge starts instantly upon closing the circuit.
Fluorescent lamp bases. For satisfactory performance, each fluorescent
lamp must be connected to an electrical circuit with proper voltage and
current characteristics for its type. Therefore, different lamps are made
with different bases, as shown in Fig. 6-28. When the proper lamp hold-
ers are wired to a particular type of ballast and properly spaced, only the
lamp type for which that ballast was designed may be inserted in the cir-
cuit. Typical lamp holders are shown in Fig. 6-29.
FIG. 6-29. Typical holders for fluorescent lamps.
Fluorescent lamp performance. Performance characteristics of fluores-
cent lamps which are of general interest and importance include:
Initial light output (lumens after 100 hours operation).
Efficiency (lumens per watt consumed).