What does the projector lamp consist of?
The lamp for projector or projection TV consists of the bulb – a very strong bulb, which is mounted in a lamp module. Module should make it easier to manipulate and replace the lamp in the projector. In addition to this, the module ensures that the lamp is firmly and precisely fitted in the projector, and that the bulb is connected to the power supply. It also filters the UV radiation contained in the produced light, protects the projector against a possible bulb explosion (thanks to the module, glass shards cannot fly into the projector’s optical systems) and has many other functions.
Lamp modules and their components
Lamp modules are pressed from temperature-resistant plastic, although some types are also partly made of metal. They contain the glass lens for filtering UV radiation and directing the light flow. The module includes the power cables, which are connected to the lamp on one side and to the connector on the other side. While the lamp module is plugged in the projector, the connector is reliably connected to the lamp ballast (or driver) - a circuit that ensures its power supply and is not part of the lamp module.
The lamp module usually includes screws to fasten the module inside the projector. Some lamp modules also contain a chip that provides measurement of the lamp´s illumination time. Moreover, it promotes sales of the original lamp modules, because the manufacture of compatible and other lamps is more demanding.
Construction of projector bulbs
The most important part of the bulb is the burner, a clear glass tube containing a gaseous mixture with mercury. It also contains two tungsten electrodes, between which an electrical arc is formed right after the bulb is switched on. This arc then reacts with the gaseous mixture to emit light, which shines equally in all directions. For this reason, a reflector is fitted around the burner – a glass flask of parabolic or elliptical shape with a reflective mirror coating inside. The reflector prevents the light rays from shining in the wrong directions and reflects the maximum amount of the light produced forwards, into the projector’s optical system.
Some bulbs have glass cover, or lens for UV filtering located on the fron of the reflector. However, sometimes this glass cover is part of the lamp module, or may even be a part of the actual lamp chamber of the projector. The bulb also usually contains two (sometimes three) connectors connected to the electrodes in the burner leading out of the back of the reflector.
Safety first!
Most projector lamps contain mercury-filled bulbs. There is a small amount of mercury in the burner of these bulbs. Mercury is harmful to our health and even though the bulbs contain very small amount (several milligrams) of mercury, we recommend that you handle the products carefully. If the bulb breaks or explodes in the projector, you should wear protective gloves when cleaning up the shards and ventilate the room thoroughly. Do not forget to dispose of the old projector lamps in an ecological manner.
Who manufactures the bulbs for original lamps?
Currently, there are only a few producers who make bulbs of sufficient quality for use in original lamp modules:
· Philips (UHR),
· Osram (P-VIP),
· Ushio (NSH),
· Phoenix (SHP),
· Iwasaki (HSCR),
· Matsushita (HS),
· Epson (UHE).
If you order an original lamp module, generic lamp, or original bare lamp without module from our e-shop, it will always be equipped with a bulb from one of these manufacturers. The bulbs of these brands have very similar characteristics and are mutually interchangeable. Even the manufacturers of original lamp modules themselves occasionally reach for a lamp from another manufacturer than what they usually use because of a current shortage of bulbs on the market. If you insist on a bulb from a particular manufacturer while ordering generic or original bare bulbs, please state this in the notes section of your order.
In compatible modules, or if you are ordering compatible lamp without a module, you will receive a “no name” bulb, which has similar parameters as the original product; however, it does not usually reach the same projection quality or lifespan.
