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Inda-Gro
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Frequently Asked
Questions
Induction Lighting Principles & FAQ
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1. What is light?
2. Why is selecting the proper grow light so
important to to my plants success?
3. What is the induction lamp system
and how does induction lighting work?
4. How
does Induction Lighting work for Plant Lighting
5. What are the
components of the Inda-Gro system?
6. Why use Inda-Gro Induction Lighting
Products?
7. What are the general Benefits
of Induction Lighting?
8. When testing for lumen output what is
the required warm up time?
9. What is the typical
lumen maintenance?
10. How long will
an Inda-Gro Induction Lamp last?
11. Is there a difference between Plasma
and Induction lamps?
12. What is the difference
between LED and Induction?
13. What type of
gas is used inside of the lamp?
14. Can running a lamp interfere
with computers or any other electronic devices?
15. Which way should
the lamp be orientated?
16.
Are Inda-Gro Induction Lamps and Fixtures vibration-resistant?
17.
How far can the High Frequency Driver be remotely mounted from the
........Tube assembly?
18. How to handle system
disposal?
19. Is the light output
of an Inda-Gro Induction Lamp affected by temperature?
20. What are the
system Max temperature limits?
21. What is the
minimum starting temperature?
22. How is induction
effected by humidity?
23. Do
voltage supply fluctuations effect the performance of the induction
system?
24. Custom NEMA Configuration Options
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Light is essential to our vision and plant
growth but the way our eyes and plants react to this light are entirely
different processes. While the overall physics and science of lighting can
be complex we're going to reduce it to it's bare elements here and
primarily concentrate on the important plant/light interactions and how we
measure that light.
WAVES: All light consists of
electromagnetic waves in a spectrum that range from the low end
ultraviolet (UV) to the high end infrared (IR) of the spectrum. The
wavelength is measured in nanometers (nm) and consists of both visible and
invisible light.
PARTICLES: Light is measured in PHOTONS
which are a quantum or individual unit. Since individual photons possess
tiny amounts of energy, photons are measured in units of moles (mol),
which are 6.02 x 1023 photons. Micromoles (µmol) are
one-millionth of a mole.
QUALITY: Photons have different amounts of
energy, determined by their wavelengths. Light quality is the relative
number of light particles at each wavelength. Light quality refers to the
spectral distribution of light, or the relative number of photons of each
portion of the spectrum, both visible and invisible that our light emits.
PAR LIGHT: During the photosynthetic
process where the plant turns light into its energy it requires certain
wavelength spectrums which we refer to as Photosynthetic Active Radiation
or PAR for short. While PAR light spectrum ranges between 380-720 nm the
region brightest to human vision (555 nm - Green, Yellow and Orange) has
the least effect on plants. Consequently light-meters that measure human
vision levels (Lumen, Lux, foot-candles) are not as effective as quantum
type meters in determining if plant lighting levels
(YPF, PPF) are actually being met.
MEASURING PAR: Quantum light meters differ
from visible light meters in that they will tell you how much many photons
are striking a square meter per second. This can be taken as a moment in
time 'incident reading' at the plant and the unit of measurement will be
measure in micromoles and expressed as µmol/m2. To give you
some reference, using a quantum meter, sunlight on a cloudless day would
measure 2,000 µmoles at the canopy.
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Why is selecting the proper grow light so important to to
my plants success?
Plant growth and development is significantly influenced be
both the quantity and quality of the light it receives in turning that
light, through a process known as PHOTOSYNTHESIS, into the energy which
the plant requires to successfully mature.
Proper indoor grow light can also mitigate disease pressures that are
often seen with plants grown outdoors. These plants are naturally affected
by the number of cloudy days versus sunny days, humidity and leaf wetness
where lack of solar radiation may subject the plants to disease
cultivation that the indoor grower can influence with lighting and
irrigation schedules.
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What is the induction
lamp system and how does induction lighting work?
An induction lamp system uses a technology of light
generation that combines the basic principles of induction and gas
discharge. Void of electrodes this technology delivers 100,000 hours of
natural sun light spectrums with rare earth horticulture blend
phosphors for full PAR spectrum photosynthesis for plant growth.
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What are the
components of the
Inda-Gro Light system?
The system is comprised of 5 components:
1. 2.65 MHz High Frequency Generator (driver / ballast)
2. Electromagnetic Coils (also called a Power Coupler)
3. sealed Bi-Spectrum Electrode-less Fluorescent Discharge Lamp (EFDL)
4. fixture assembly
5. Reflector - 99.7% Spectral Reflectance - The highest available.
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Unlike standard induction lighting products
Inda-Gro Induction Lighting Systems utilize a 12 blend phosphor systems
offer five to ten times the life of HID systems for only two to three
times the cost of the HID lamp and driver.
Our Inda-Gro Induction Lights produce a
more natural light with 85+ CRI, Peak PAR values for Vegetive and
Flowering stages, low operating temperatures and engineered reflectors for
deep canopy penetration resulting in maintained yields.
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What are the general
Benefits of Induction Lighting?
* Significantly reduces energy consumption
* .99 High Power Factor
* Less then 10% Total Harmonic Distortion
* Fastest Return on Investment (ROI)
* Most sustainable lighting option for on/off grid applications
* Lower CO2 emissions and carbon footprint
* Instant on/off allows for lighting control systems utilization
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When testing for lumen output what is the
required warm up time?
Typically 3 minutes warm up time is needed for 100%
Lumen Output. The lumen output for the induction lighting depends on the
mercury vapor pressure in the lamp which in turn is determined by the
ambient temperature. These lamps use an amalgam system which results in
low mercury vapor pressure before starting. However, an auxiliary amalgam
is located in the discharge to ensure fast lumen run-up. When turned on,
this auxiliary amalgam heats up, releasing mercury into the discharge.
Light output quickly peaks and then dips slightly as mercury vapor
pressure increases above optimum. After a few minutes, the mercury begins
to go back to the main amalgam. The time required for the thermal
equilibrium depends on ambient temperature and fixture design.
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What is the
typical lumen maintenance?
The lumen output of an Inda-Gro induction lamp is
expected to have depreciated after 100,000 hours to no less than 70% of
the initial rated lumens. When any lamp is new, its light output is at the
maximum. As the lamp operates, various processes (plasma, chemical, and
thermal) within the lamp causes a gradual reduction of its lumen output.
The degree to which the actual light out put decreases with operating time
is referred to as lumen maintenance.
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How long will an
Inda-Gro Induction Lamp last?
Inda-Gro Induction Lighting Systems are designed to have an average rated
life of 100,000 hours at a maximum driver case temperature of 149 Deg F/
65 Deg C. After 100,000 hours 50% of the drivers will be surviving (at
60,000 hours, 10% failures are expected).
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Is there a difference between Plasma
and Induction lamps?
Both of these systems utilize electrode-less magnetic coils to excite the
gas in the lamp vacuum with the main differences being that the plasma
systems are clear lamps utilizing no phosphor and they have significantly
higher core temperatures of over 720 Celsius with a lamp life usually
around 30,000 hours. However either type of system operates at low
temperatures which does not contribute added heat within the room with the
lumens per watt or efficacies being similar as well.
The PAR analysis of the Plasma fixtures indicates excellent UV values for
the clone and vegetive stages with sustained spectral levels up to the 550
nanometer range then rapidly falling off spectrums that are necessary for
maximum chlorophyll absorption at the flowering and budding stages from
the 600 -700 nanometer ranges.
We're very excited by the benefits and efficiencies of the electrode-less
lamp technologies. As it pertains to plant lighting technologies we do not
see the current state of plasma after factoring purchase costs, lamp
lifespan, PAR ranges, canopy penetration and lack of reference grows would
give us reason to endorse plasma as a replacement over fluorescent
induction grow light systems where by phosphors blends can create UV/IR
ranges that are delivering 95%+ PAR levels at less cost and for longer
life spans then plasma systems.
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What type of gas is
used inside of the lamp?
Low Pressure Argon Gas
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Can running a lamp interfere
with computers or any other electronic devices?
NO. Lamps runs at 250 KHz which complies with FCC rules with no
interference under normal circumstances. INDA-GRO fixtures also utilize
frequency dampening materials to prevent corona outside the fixture driver
compartment.
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Which way should the
lamp be orientated?
An induction lamp can be operated in any position. In most cases though,
the lamp should be mounted with the amalgam tip in the downward position.
Because operating position has a slight effect on the amalgam tip
temperature this should be considered when mounting the fixture.
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Are Inda-Gro Induction Lamps and Fixtures vibration-resistant?
Yes. The fact that Inda-Gro Induction Lamps have no electrodes makes them
more reliable in high- vibration and gusty applications. For over 70 years
induction lamp technology has proven its durability in bridges, tunnels,
and signage applications.
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How far can the High Frequency generator/driver be remotely mounted
from the power coupler/discharge vessel assembly?
6 feet. However INDA-GRO fixtures are packaged with the driver and optimum
coupler cabling for the highest lumen efficiencies.
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How to handle system disposal?
Lamp: Although a very small amount of mercury is used, it is recommended
to treat the tube as small chemical waste. The lamp can be recycled
together with other low-pressure mercury discharge lamps. Follow local
regulations for disposal of this type of light source.
Driver: This component is a RoHS compliant
electronic device, which can be disposed of with normal care. It is
recommended to dispose of the driver as normal electronic waste, according
to local regulations.
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Is
the light output of an Inda-Gro
Induction Lamp affected
by temperature?
The lamp's amalgam fill technology allows for output over a wide range of
ambient temperatures, maintain at least 85% of nominal lumens from 30 Deg
F to 130 Deg.
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What are the system
Max temperature limits?
Driver: temperature should never exceed 149 Deg. F (65 Deg C). Thus to
maximize system life, ambient temperature of the driver should be kept as
low as possible.
Lamp: temperature of the lamp mounting base of the induction core should
never exceed 212 Deg F (100 Deg C). Amalgam tip: temperature must be
within the range of 131 Deg F to 257 Deg F 9 (55 Deg C to 125 Deg C) for
optimal light output.
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What is the minimum
starting temperature?
Higher wattages can start as low as -40 Deg F (-40 Deg C). While the lower
wattages need to be a minimum starting temperature of -13 Deg F (-25 Deg
C).
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How is induction effected
by humidity?
Induction can handle air humidity of up to 95%
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Do voltage
supply fluctuations effect the performance of the induction system?
The built-in pre-conditioner (+/- 20v) in the generator provides for a
stable internal supply voltage. Light output, consumed power and system
efficacy vary by less than 2% as a result of voltage fluctuations.
Additionally Inda-Gro Induction Grow Lights offer a .99 PF and less then
10% THD.
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Custom NEMA Configuration Options
Our fixtures come with a standard NEMA 5-15P Plug. If you require
special configurations, Please contact us with the Cord End Configuration identified
on the NEMA chart.
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