Filament LED lamps Tomic: what is it, pros and cons, how to choose – ElektrikExpert.ru

A filament lamp is a special type of LED light source that looks similar to a conventional incandescent light bulb. Structurally, it consists of a glass flask, inside which LEDs are mounted in the form of threads, from which the glow comes.

Below we consider what kind of product it is, what elements it consists of, power, connection diagram. Let’s talk separately about cooling, advantages and disadvantages, selection criteria and market offers.

What is a filament lamp

In simple words, a filament lamp is a combination of two types of light bulbs: LED and incandescent. The principle of operation is taken from the first, and design features from the second.

An LED strip is connected inside the glass bulb, because of which the lamp got its name. The word “filament” is translated from English as “thread”.

In terms of glow, a filament light source almost does not differ from an incandescent lamp (it has a yellowish tint), but in terms of design and functionality it is ahead of the competitor.

The device, design features of the Tomic filament lamp

Structurally, the emitter of such a lamp consists of three elements:

1. Glass or sapphire base.
2. Blue / red LEDs in the amount of 28 pieces.
3. Phosphor coating providing white light with a special color temperature.

If we consider the design as a whole, the filament light source consists of the following elements:

1. Base for E14 or E27.
2. Transparent flask with high light transmission.
3. Glass leg with elements that provide voltage supply to the LED strip.
4. filament details.
5. Driver (electronics) located in the base cover.

The driver takes up minimal dimensions and fits easily on the board. The latter, in turn, is mounted in the bulb base.

This design allows the use of high-quality circuits with varying levels of complexity to reduce ripple.

What power does it give

The average filament power is about 1 W, and the voltage is 60 V. In general, the light bulb consumes four to eight W and has the following parameters:

• light emitter: 120 — 140 Lm/W;
• light temperature: up to 4500 K depending on the performance level;
• service life of 30 hours;
• output power ratio with an incandescent lamp, filament / LC: 2 – 25 W, 4 – 40 W, 6 – 60 W, 8 – 75 W.

For comparison, for incandescent, LED and fluorescent lamps, the power is in the ranges: 10 – 500 W, 3 – 30 and 15 – 80 watts, respectively.

The lowest light temperature is shown by conventional light sources – 2700 K with a service life of 1000 hours.

As for fluorescent and LED lamps, they show the best characteristics: the light temperature is up to 6500 or 6400 K, and the service life is 40 and 50 thousand hours, respectively.

Tomic Filament Light Bulb Driver

The use of the LED principle requires the installation of a driver located inside the base. The purpose of the device is to reduce the current from the network to a parameter that is safe for LED elements.

The driver consists of the following elements:

1. Fuse.
2. Diode bridge rectifier.
3. Smoothing capacitors.
4. Microcircuit of a pulse current regulator with additional components. The circuit includes a diode, a choke, an RF resistance capacitor.

Of particular interest is the driver circuit. A fuse F1 is installed in the phase wire, instead of which you can put a resistance up to 20 ohms up to 1 W of power.

The elements of the scheme also include:

• diode bridge for rectifying current for a voltage of 400 – 1000 V, DB1;
• capacitor for smoothing ripples at the output of DB1, E2;
• additional capacitance for supplying voltage to the circuit, E1;
• device driver that makes the whole circuit work, SM7315P;
• output ripple filtering capacitance, E3;
• current sensor for adjusting the current strength in the light source circuit, R1 (the higher the resistance, the lower the current);
• resistance to reduce the current on the converter, R2;
• diode that ensures the operation of the converter, D1;
• storage inductance for voltage conversion, L

In fact, the elements D1, L1 and the transistor switch form a typical switching converter circuit.

How the scheme works

The principle of operation of the circuit is simple. The input voltage is rectified using a diode bridge. Further, due to the action of the capacitance and capacitor, the current is smoothed.

On the way to the microcircuit, the current is converted into RF pulses, smoothed with a capacitor. Subsequently, power is supplied to the filament LED and returned to the network.

As for the driver, it includes a PWM controller and additional devices (comparators, multiplexers, etc.). They compare the real and rated currents, and then send a signal to the PWM controller to make edits to the duty cycle of the pulses.

Охлаждение

There is a misconception that LEDs do not get hot. On the contrary, they get very hot, and some microcircuits do not work for several minutes without cooling.

For small LEDs located in SMD-type cases, heat is transferred to the contact pads installed through them.

We already know that one filament consumes an average of 1 watt. For comparison, in SMD diodes for 1 W of power, about 25-30 square meters are structurally provided. see cooling device. And here the question arises about the cooling of the lamps.

Consider the following:

1. The filament is a matrix.
2. Structurally, diodes are soldered behind the matrix part, which emit an insignificant amount of heat due to low power. For example, if you divide 1 watt into 28 light bulbs, you get an average of 0,036 watts per LED.

Helium or a special gas is used to remove heat, providing a minimum heating of up to 55-60 degrees Celsius. This allows them to be used in lamps with fabric, paper and plastic lamps. In this case, the thread of the filament lamp heats up to 100 degrees Celsius.

Advantages and disadvantages of filament lamps

Before switching to filament light sources, it is necessary to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

Advantages:

1. Economical.
2. The uniformity of the glow in all directions, an excellent solution for lighting cottages.
3. Stylish appearance, which allows them to be used in open fixtures.
4. Wear resistance.
5. Long service life.
6. Universality of application and possibility of installation in many models of lighting devices.
7. Excellent color rendering.
8. Minimal heating, thanks to the gas pumped inside.
9. High degree of brightness.
10. Ease of disposal as household waste.

Disadvantages of filament products:

1. High price.
2. Fragile flask that needs careful handling.
3. When the voltage is unstable, flashing appears, the quality of the light deteriorates.
4. Impossibility of repair.
5. Designed only for 220-volt networks.
6. The presence of two types of socles – on E14 and E27.
7. Variation in quality.
8. Complaints about short service life.
9. The presence of a dead zone under the light source with a vertical arrangement of the bulb (details below).

Distribution of filaments, what the market offers, selection criteria

With the advent of filament light sources, more and more people began to switch to new products. The reason was the original design and a larger glow angle without the use of additional optical systems. In standard LEDs, located in a plastic case, the angle is 170 degrees, and here it is 300.

As for manufacturers, the products of Maxus, Videx, Philips, Osram, Lisma and the Tomic lamp are popular.

Criterias of choice

When buying filament light bulbs, it is important to pay attention not only to the power and type of base, but also to other criteria.

Let’s look at the main parameters below:

1. Product type: decorative lamp, lighting, special, etc.
2. Type of base – E27, E14 or E40.
3. Voltage: 170 – 240 V.
4. Power: from 2 – 12 W.
5. An analogue of an incandescent lamp: 16 – 560 W.
6. Brightness: from 9 – 1521 Lm.
7. Minimum lighting area.
8. Light color – white (warm, neutral, cold), red, yellow, blue, amber.
9. Color temperature: 1800 – 6500 K.
10. Form – ball, sphere, pear, candle, circle, spiral, oval, pencil, decorative figurine and others.
11. Flask finish – matte, transparent, golden, amber, tinted, white, silver.
12. Material – blown glass / metal, plastic, glass, frosted glass.
13. Height: 7 – 435 mm.
14. Diameter: 4 – 225 mm.
15. Device control – switch, wall switch, turn-push dimmer.
16. Lighting angle – 300, 320 or 360 degrees.
17. Color rendering index: 77 – 90.
18. Brand – Uniel, Elgo, Lexman, Osram, Gauss, Elektrostandart and others.

Additionally, take into account other parameters – useful luminous flux, availability of compatible applications, service life, maximum number of starts, energy class. Pay attention to the country of origin and type of packaging.

Popular Models

The market offers a large selection of filament lamps that are in demand and have received positive user reviews.

Below are some popular options.

Gauss LED Filament E14 candle

Chinese product with E14 base and 11 watts. The product shines like an 80W incandescent bulb. The lighting color is neutral white and the maximum area is 7 square meters. m.

The convergence angle is 360 degrees, and the useful luminous flux is 750 lm. The model is rated for 50 turns on and off, and the average life is 000 hours.

Lamp LED filament Lexman

Device made in China. The model is equipped with an E14 base and has a power of 4,5 watts. The declared parameters allow you to shine as well as a 40-watt incandescent lamp.

The lighting light is warm white (closer to yellow), the lighting area is about two square meters, and the glow angle is 360 degrees.

Useful luminous flux is at the level of 470 lm. The light bulb has a resource for 25 on and off, as well as a service life of 000 hours.

Lexman G95

Chinese LED filament bulb with E27 base in the shape of a ball and a power of 5 watts. In terms of luminosity, it is equivalent to a 40 W incandescent lamp.

The device stands out with a warm white (yellowish) glow and a maximum “coverage” area of ​​two square meters. The “working” glow angle is 360 degrees, and the luminous flux is 250 Lm.

As for the service life and the number of on / off – these parameters are 25 hours and cycles, respectively.

Uniel candle in the wind

Filament lamp with E14 socket, made in China. The operating power is 6 W, which is equivalent to the operation of a 55 W incandescent bulb.

The model is able to illuminate a room with an area of ​​​​1,3 square meters. meters. In this case, the useful luminous flux is 500 lm, and the glow angle is 360 degrees. The service life and the number of cycles are up to 30 hours and not more than 000 on / off, respectively.

Uniel Vintage

Chinese filament lamp with E27 base, 6 W power and 540 lm luminous flux. Outwardly, it resembles an incandescent light bulb, gives out a warm white color and a way to illuminate an area of ​​​​1,3 square meters. meters. The glow angle is 360 degrees.

Gauss E27

Chinese-made product with a power of 4,5 watts. The model shines similarly to a 40W incandescent lamp. The lighting color is warm white (closer to yellow), the color temperature is 2700 K, and the maximum lighting area is about three square meters.

The useful light flux is 400 lm, and the glow angle is 360 degrees. The resource of the device is 25 hours, and the maximum number of on / off is 000.

Gauss A60

Filament light source with E27 base, 4,5 W power and warm white light. The device gives lighting by analogy with a 30 W incandescent light bulb.

The useful luminous flux is 300 lm, the glow angle is 360 degrees, and the service life is 25 hours.

As for the maximum number of switching on/off, it is 35 cycles.

Airdim in the shape of a ball

The model is made in China, has an E14 base and a power of 5 W (equivalent to a 30 W incandescent bulb). The product is able to illuminate a room of 1,3 square meters. meters with neutral white light.

The useful flux of light and the glow angle are 450 lm and 360 degrees, respectively. The model lasts an average of 30 hours, and the limit on / off is at the level of 000 times.

Gauss vintage ball

Filament decorative lamp with a diameter of 20 cm, a power of 4 W and an E27 base. Despite the Chinese production, the device is of high quality and shines like a 40 W incandescent product. Service life 35000 hours or

The filament produces a warm white color, and the maximum illumination area is four “squares”.

As for the glow angle and the useful light flux, these parameters are at the level of 360 degrees and 420 Lumens, respectively.

Orsam

A high-quality model with an E27 base made in China. The device has a power of 5 W, which is equivalent to the glow of a 60 W incandescent lamp.

The product produces a warm white color and illuminates an area up to 3,3 “square”. The useful luminous flux is 600 lm, and the glow angle is 300 degrees. The service life is 15 hours, and the maximum number of on / off is 000.

What is the meter zone

When a filament lamp glows, if the bulb is located strictly vertically, a so-called zone of less illumination is formed under it, which can be called “dead”. The level of illumination in it is two times less than in the main zone of illumination.

At a distance of one and a half meters, the spot reaches a size of 50 cm. Accordingly, it increases as it moves away from the light source.

The shape of this spot, depending on the model of the llama, the number and arrangement of spirals, is different.

Check the ripple when buying

When buying a filament lamp, it is important to check the pulsation. Ignoring this requirement can lead to frustration when using the device as the main lighting in a bedroom, hall or other room.

According to the laws of the Russian Federation (PP No. 1356 dated October 10.10.2017, 10 “On approval of requirements for lighting devices”), the sale of light sources with a pulsation of more than 80% and a CRI of less than XNUMX is prohibited.

The driver is responsible for the ripple and in high-quality products this figure does not exceed 1%.

And you need to remember that inside even bulbs of the same shape there can be two different drivers. One with normal pulsation and quality parts, and the second is made using cheap parts.

How to determine the power consumption

The power of one filament is 1 W. This means that at one glance you can determine the desired parameter. For example, the presence of two threads indicates a power of 2 W, four – 4 W, six – 6 W, etc. It is not necessary to trust the information indicated on the box.

Checking the driver using the radio

A preliminary check can be done by a routine inspection:

• when a high-quality driver is brought to the radio, a background appears;
• a cheap device does not create any interference.

Also, in the “candle” models (not all), due to the small base of the E-14, the driver is placed between the bulb and the base. He is clearly visible. It is difficult to fit something of high quality into such a small space.

Luminous efficiency

Filament lamps are characterized by high luminous efficiency, which reaches 120 Lm / W, and the light scattering angle is 360 degrees, while they heat up less compared to their counterparts. For comparison, LED lamps have a dead zone of 90 degrees or more.

Determine the glow temperature

Few people know that the glow temperature is easy to determine by the shade of the phosphor, even without screwing the lamp into the cartridge.

It stands out here:

1. Lemon shade – 4500 K (neutral white).
2. Yellow – 3000 K (warm white).
3. Orange – 2500 K (with an even warmer tint).

One glance is enough to determine the oriented temperature.

Results

Filament lamps are an alternative to LED products with better performance and stylish look. Such models are characterized by versatility, high light output, a huge selection and the absence of a dead zone around the perimeter.

Due to the long service life, the devices quickly pay for themselves and delight with high-quality lighting.

We must not forget about the shortcomings that do not allow such products to “turn around”.

Today, these are the fragility of the bulb, the high price and pulsations with the low quality of the product and electricity.