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How Induction Works

Induction lighting is the simplest of any mass lighting technology.

Induction Lighting uses magnets, wrapped around a glass vacuum, to excite atoms — much like electrodes excite atoms in fluorescent tubes. The great advantage for Induction over fluorescent is the absence multiple tubes, electrodes, ballasts, starters, and liquid mercury.

Induction lamps are simply a continuous glass tube, a rectangle or a circle, with two magnets wrapped around the middle. The magnets are energized by a processor to excite mercury atoms in a solid amalgam. The atoms pass through a phosphorus coating to emit clean white light.

Induction is the most efficient means to create light for mass lighting applications: street lighting, high bay lighting, all areas where a broad footprint of light is required.

One of the best in-depth discussions how induction works is a knol by L. Michael Roberts:
http://knol.google.com/k/how-induction-lamps-work

It may be desirable to know the technical aspects of induction, but the practical considerations are these, quoted from the Roberts analysis:

The Advantages of Magnetic Induction Lamps:

• Long lifespan due to the lack of electrodes — between 65,000 and 100,000 hours depending on the lamp model;
• Very high energy conversion efficiency of between 62 and 90 Lumens/watt [higher wattage lamps are more energy efficient];
• High power factor due to the low loss in high frequency electronic ballasts which are between 95% and 98% efficient;
• Minimal Lumen depreciation (declining light output with age) compared to other lamp types as filament evaporation and depletion is absent;
• “Instant-on” and hot re-strike, unlike most conventional lamps used in commercial/industrial lighting applications (Sodium vapor and Metal Halides);
• Environmentally friendly as induction lamps use less energy, and generally use less mercury per hour of operation than conventional lighting due to their long lifespan.  The mercury is in a solid form and can be easily recovered if the lamp is broken, or for recycling at end-of-life (see Environmental Aspects Of Magnetic Induction Lamps^[4])

In our own analysis, Induction lighting significantly reduces possible “points of failure” compared to all other lighting technologies.

1. Led uses dozens of diodes coupled with heat sinks and processors.
2. Fluorescent uses multiple tubes, each with electrodes and two end caps, plus multiple ballasts and starters.
3. High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide use extremely high temperatures and high pressures along with ballasts, capacitors, and socket base lamps subject to seal failure.

These points of failure create inefficiencies and significantly shorten life. Induction lasts twice as long as LED and up to ten times the life of all other technologies. More than fifty percent energy savings and no maintenance costs, along with the benefits of enhanced illumination, make the decision clear: Induction Lighting is the right choice for mass lighting applications.

Induction Lighting from American Green Technology is “The Professional’s Choice.”