The principle of operation of xenon lamps (CL) is to pass a high-voltage discharge through an inert gas enclosed in a flask under high pressure, consisting of a mixture of metal salts and xenon. As a result of this effect, the gas begins to glow. Moreover, the luminescent power of xenon is much higher than that of incandescent lamps.
Its main advantage is that xenon reproduces natural daylight illumination, which is close to the sun's spectrum. Other advantages of these lamps are their durability and absolute safety for human eyes. The disadvantages of CLs include their high cost, limited use and the need for an ignition unit. Besides caps and sizes, CLs are classified by their light temperature, which is measured in Kelvin. There are lamps for 4300K, 5000K and 6000K. Moreover, in European countries, the maximum level of this indicator is 4800K. We have an optimal figure of 5000K.
Basically, KL is used for low beam and fog lights. This is due to the greater intensity of the glow. It is recommended to trust the installation of xenon to specialists, since in addition to installation, it is necessary to configure the system responsible for the uninterrupted operation of the lamp (ignition unit, installation angles). In case of improper installation with violation of the geometry of the radiation spectrum, the headlights will blind the drivers of oncoming cars. And if the ignition unit is poorly configured, the lamp may fail. The installation of xenon is regulated by current legislation.
Motorists need to know that in the Russian Federation, for arbitrarily installed CLs in headlights that are not provided for their installation, they are punished not with money, but much more seriously. They deprive them of the right to drive vehicles for up to 1 year, with the confiscation of these lamps and equipment for their use (part 3 of article 125 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation). There are only two reasons officially allowing the installation of discharge lamps on a car:
- foglights were originally designed for the operation of CL;
- on the technical device there are standard ones, marked with D class marking, installed at the KL plant.
KL are highly efficient products. With their help, the safety of movement in adverse weather conditions (thick fog or heavy rain) increases many times over. First of all, it is recommended to mount xenon in the fog lights. Thus, the car will become much more visible on the roads with limited visibility.
