How Does a Halogen Hob Work?
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The Gas
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A halogen bulb uses a different kind of inert gas inside the filament. This is the actual "halogen" part of the bulb, and is made up of small amounts of iodine or bromine, as opposed to argon or nitrogen gas found in other bulbs. This gas allows the filament to burn brighter and longer than a conventional bulb, which is why many manufacturers are moving toward halogen technology.
The Filament
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The filament of a halogen bulb looks like a long, coiled up wire supported at both ends by circular structures. The glass used in regular incandescent bulb filaments is insufficient for a halogen application because of the heat involved. Therefore, a more rigorous compound is necessary. Manufacturers began using a quartz-based filament, which will outlast a regular filament by several times, and the material is also less prone to breakage due to rough use.
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The Process
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The high heat of halogen gasses burning causes the special filament inside the bulb to shed tungsten atoms, which in turn causes the bulb to glow very brightly. A halogen bulb resists darkening, as other bulbs might, by re-depositing the tungsten atoms on the filament instead of having them build up on the inside of the glass bulb.
Tips
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When changing out a halogen bulb of any type, always wait for it to cool down before handling. Because of its high-heat properties, a halogen bulb can stay hot for several minutes after it has been turned off. Also, when installing a new bulb, wash your hands really well and try to touch the actual glass of the bulb as little as possible. Oily deposits from your skin can burn into the bulb, causing a weak point, which may make it fail altogether. It is recommended to wipe the glass off with a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a clean rag prior to turning the bulb on.
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