kvikksølvlamper

Kvikksølvlamper, also known as mercury-vapor lamps, are a type of electric discharge lamp that produces light by passing an electric arc through vaporized mercury. This process excites the mercury atoms, causing them to emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The inside of the lamp is coated with a phosphor material that absorbs the UV radiation and re-emits it as visible light.

These lamps were widely used for general lighting in industrial settings, streets, and public spaces due to their high luminous efficacy and long lifespan. They typically produce a bluish-white light. Early models suffered from poor color rendering, but later improvements with phosphor coatings significantly enhanced their color quality.

Kvikksølvlamper require a ballast to regulate the current and voltage to initiate and maintain the arc. They have a characteristic warm-up period before reaching full brightness and can take some time to restrike after being turned off. While efficient for their time, they have largely been replaced by more modern lighting technologies such as LED and high-intensity discharge lamps like metal-halide and high-pressure sodium lamps, which offer better energy efficiency, color rendering, and instant start-up capabilities. Due to the presence of mercury, kvikksølvlamper are considered hazardous waste and require special disposal procedures.