Diagram of low pressure mercury vapour lamp:
Working:-
Whenever 1-ph, 230V, AC Supply is provided to the discharge tube of MVL initially to current will flow from Phase to the choke to the starting electrode to neutral.
Sometimes the starting electrode or resistance is made by tungsten filament having the more resistance ( 5 to 10 K ohm) so that whenever current flows through the tungsten filament as per the thermal emission the light is emitted through the filament ( tungsten immediately) so that initially colour of light is blue.
At the same time the rated voltages is applied in between the filament No.1 & filament No.2. Due to this voltage, there will be collision. Of neon gas particles & current will start flow through the discharge tube,
Whenever temperature surrounding the inner tube increases up to 600C the mercury powder will start vaporizing & the continuous collision process of all inert gases is taking place so that full light is emitted through the discharge tube.
The colour of light is bluish white. The full light is emitted after 10-15 min.
OR
The construction & connection diagram is as shown in figure. As per this construction there are following components. Choke: The choke is acting as the ballast. At the time of supply voltage variation of current flowing through the inner tube is maintained constant to keep uniform light intensity. Sometimes choke can be designed for to get the higher voltages & to apply the inner tube of mercury vapour lamp. Starting resistance/limiting resistance: Whenever current flows through the starting resistance there is a I2R loss which is converted into heat. If the temperature of this heat goes near about 6000C then there will be heating effect & inert gases ionization will be start. Auxiliary electrode & Main electrode: It is made by high resistive element. The ionization is taking place through the inert gases whenever current flows from auxiliary electrode to main electrode. Inner Tube: The various inert gases e.g. Argon, Nitrogen etc with mercury powder are filled in the inner tube at low pressure or high pressure. Outer Tube: The function of outer tube is to make the vacuum surrounding the inner tube to avoid thermal dissipation or to maintain 600C surrounding the inner tube. Power factor improvement Capacitor: The function of power factor improvement capacitor is to improve the power factor 0.5 to 0.95