New light to GHMC

The civic body to use induction lamps for street lighting replacing fluorescent bulbs for energy conservation

GHMC authorities are planning to introduce induction lamps in place of street lights. The lamps were tested for a period of 50 days and results were more than satisfactory. It is believed that life of an induction lamp is one lakh hours and it consumes 50% less energy than filament or electrode bulbs. According to the estimates with GHMC a single induction lamp alone will save 4.6 units a day and Rs 10,549 from electricity bill per year

Aditya Parankusam

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) which is always plagued by shortage of electricity, overloading and staggering electricity bills has always been searching for viable alternatives to decrease the energy and financial load. The induction lamps have come as perfect foil to street lights and the GHMC authorities are all set to introduce them for street lighting.

For the first time in the state, the GHMC is using induction lamps. It has tested the functioning of these lamps in two areas under east zone limits for a period of 50 days and has collated the results. More than satisfied with the results, the authorities are now contemplating to use the lamps throughout the city. As the power crisis looms over and with state and central governments insisting on municipal bodies to save energy, the GHMC authorities are forced to go in for alternative sources.

The results from the test-run say that the usage of induction lamps saves energy, money and emits bright light which is less harsh to the eye. In the first stage it is planning to introduce induction lamps in all flyovers in the city and has called for tenders.

Points from the study

When tested in place of a high mast light in east zone limits for a period of 50 days, the induction lamp ran 230 units less in comparison with high mast light. It saves 4.6 units per day and calculating as per GHMC’s electricity bill structure, the usage of induction lamp saves Rs 10,549 per year and Rs 52,745 for five years. If three high mast lights are replaced by induction lamps they will save 14,50,656 units per year and Rs 92,40,679 can be saved. It has also been proved that the lamp consumes 50 per cent less energy and if all the 16, 236 lights are replaced Rs 2.71 cr will be saved per year.

Induction Lamp

An Induction Lamp contains mercury gas in a gas fill. When electricity passes through the gas fill the mercury is excited and it emits UV radiation that in turn is converted into visible white light because of the phosphorous coating on the bulb. Fluorescent lamps, however, use electrodes inside the bulb which strike the arc and initiate the flow of current – each arc is struck, the electrodes degrade a little, eventually causing the lamp to flicker and then fail. Induction lamps differ in that they do not use internal electrodes, but use a high-frequency generator with a power coupler. The generator produces a radio frequency magnetic field to excite the gas fill.

Advantages

• Life time of induction lamps is twice that of electrode and filament bulbs.
• The high-mast lights require maintenance every three months, whereas induction lamps require maintenance once in 5 years.
• The life of one induction bulb is one lakh hours, if this claim is true there is no need of changing bulb for 20 years.
• 60 per cent of energy will be saved when compared to current bulbs.
• Emits less irritant light.
• Can withstand voltage fluctuations.