Lighting sources with a cold cathode are widely used in electronics. The lamps with a cold cathode are used primarily as sources of white light in optical scanners, digital indicators, display panels and signalling devices. In the paper the advantages of carbonaceous materials as emitters of cold electrons and the possibilities of using them to create a cathode in an electron lamp are discussed.

This article presents some results of work on the selection of the most promising types of lamps for various objects in industry, in commercial and residential buildings. It is shown that the use of a particular type of lamp depends on the conditions of a particular country (the cost of credit resources, the availability of different types of lamps on the market, and government incentives or restrictions), as well as on the conditions of the specific object (cost of lamps, duration of operation during the day, tariffs for energy resources, the cost of equipment and its installation (dismantling, utilization), the cost of replacing the equipment after leaving it, the term of service of various types of lamps). It is also necessary to consider the possible risks of changes in tariffs and the cost of money.

Maize dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV) is a serious and widespread virus pathogen of maize plants. This +ssRNA virus belongs to the Potyvirus genus in the Potyviridae family. Together with sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) it causes one of the most important viral diseases on maize crops in the world – maize dwarf mosaic. Both viruses are transmitted in the same non-persistent manner by several aphid species. They induce similar symptoms of leaf mosaic or mottling, stunting and a reduction in plant weight and grain yield. Available MDMV diagnostics include primarily commercialized enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR). Here, laborsaving reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay was optimized for identification of genetically different MDMV isolates. For this purpose, primer sets, MDMVF3/MDMVB3 and MDMVFIP/MDMVBIP amplifying fragments of coat protein coding sequence of MDMV, were used. The specificity of the reaction was verified using three MDMV (-P1, -Sp, -PV0802-DSMZ) and three SCMV (-P1, -PV0368- -DSMZ, -PV1207-DSMZ) isolates. Obtained products were visualised by DNA staining, electrophoretic separation as well as by real-time monitoring of the reaction. The sensitivity of RT-LAMP and conventional RT-PCR reactions was comparable. Both methods could detect virus as low as 550 fg · μl–1 of total RNA. This technique has application value for screening MDMV by phytosanitary services.

Chrysanthemum stunt viroid (CSVd) is a serious pathogen infecting chrysanthemum worldwide. To improve and enhance the detection procedure, a colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technique was developed. Six LAMP primers were newly designed and tested to determine the optimal conditions using a recombinant plasmid of CSVd as a DNA template. The optimal conditions for colorimetric LAMP were incubation at 65°C for 45 min. Under these conditions, a ladder-like pattern of LAMP products was detected along with a change of color from pink to yellow in the positive reactions. Limits of the detection (LOD) of colorimetric LAMP were up to 1 fg ∙ μl–1 of plasmid DNA concentration which was 104 times greater than that of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The developed colorimetric LAMP was not cross reacted to other viruses and viroids. From detection of actual samples and chrysanthemum plantlets which were obtained from meristem tip culture, the colorimetric LAMP showed effective potential in detecting CSVd. Therefore, the colorimetric LAMP can be used as a main technique to detect CSVd and ensure CSVd-free chrysanthemum plantlet production due to its accuracy, rapidness and sensitivity.

The paper analyses the operation of different types of electronic colour sensors based on the light spectrum analysis. The application goal was to detect the type of the airport lamp based on differences in colour components of the light emitted by luminaires with specific spectral characteristics. Recognition of airport lamps is based on the analysis of the light spectrum. Proposed solution allows for an automatic software selection of appropriate conversion factors and comparison with specific standards necessary for this type of measurements. Various types of sensors were discussed and the AS7262 sensor was examined in detail. The colour sensor and the light intensity sensor were used in the mobile control device for examining elevated airport lamps and in the measurement platform for quality testing of embedded airport lamps. Two additional aspects were investigated: 1) influence of an additional acrylic glass cover; 2) distance between airport lamps and the spectrum sensor.

The paper presents a design and performance analysis of a photosensor device enabling the measurement of the visible light illuminance. The sensor is designed for use in the light metering matrix of a mobile measurement platform allowing the correct operation of in-pavement airport lamps. This kind of control can be required by regulations and must meet the standards defined by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). An important assumption of the solution was to obtain the highest possible speed of a measurement acquisition so that the control process would take place in a relatively short time. The proposed module concept is dedicated to the task of testing the quality of airport lamps, due to the characteristics of the photosensitive elements matching the light beams emitted by luminaries. The device is based on a VTP1220FBH photodiode and an ATmega328P microcontroller, which, in addition to the analogue-to-digital conversion and correction, sends the results back to the master unit via the I ²C bus.

In this short paper, nine formerly unpublished rayed lamps from south-eastern Turkey, eight from Mardin and one from Malatya are being presented, belonging to a well-known type, starting from the end of the sixth century A.D., which became particularly widespread in the eighth century A.D. The article adds to a group of ‘rayed’ lamps from the Near East next few examples found in less accessible museums in Turkey and it also includes a useful historical sketch of the region during the Byzantine and Early Islamic period. The publication of these new specimens is valuable as the material from this area of modern Turkey is rarely published. While waiting for research on the many further lamps that are likely to be found in numerous museums to be published, this contribution helps us understand the variety of lamps and their area of diffusion, which stretches from northern Mesopotamia down to Palestine, including south-eastern Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

This article is focused on considerations based on experimental studies concerning changes of selected parameters of identical compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) intended for use in buildings during their operation. The studies constituted a long-term experiment whose goal was an evaluation of selected operating parameters of the CFLs in terms of meeting the requirements set out in the specified regulations as well as the issue of marking the lamps with the energy efficiency class. The measurements were performed with the authors’ experimental setup consisting of original equipment designed and made especially for the purpose of the measurements. The studies covered registration of the luminous flux as well as selected electrical parameters such as active power, current and the power factor during the so-called “start-up time” and operation time equal to 100 h, 500 h, 1000 h, 2000 h, etc. with a 1000 h step. The studies were finished with the moment of natural burnout of the CFLs tested. The results showed that the biggest drawback of CFLs is lack of preservation of the required time to reach 60% of the stabilized luminous flux just after short time of lamp operation. Similarly when assessing the conformity of the parameters declared by the manufacturer that have been verified, it can be stated that they are true only at the initial stage of lamp operation.

This article is focused on considerations based on experimental studies concerning changes of selected parameters of identical compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) intended for use in buildings during their operation. The studies constituted a long-term experiment whose goal was an evaluation of selected operating parameters of the CFLs in terms of meeting the requirements set out in the specified regulations as well as the issue of marking the lamps with the energy efficiency class. The measurements were performed with the authors’ experimental setup consisting of original equipment designed and made especially for the purpose of the measurements. The studies covered registration of the luminous flux as well as selected electrical parameters such as active power, current and the power factor during the so-called “start-up time” and operation time equal to 100 h, 500 h, 1000 h, 2000 h, etc. with a 1000 h step. The studies were finished with the moment of natural burnout of the CFLs tested. The results showed that the biggest drawback of CFLs is lack of preservation of the required time to reach 60% of the stabilized luminous flux just after short time of lamp operation. Similarly when assessing the conformity of the parameters declared by the manufacturer that have been verified, it can be stated that they are true only at the initial stage of lamp operation.

The development of technology and design of light management systems remains dynamic. Among all the benefits offered by these systems, the most valuable might definitely be the possibility of saving energy consumption. Knowing the value of energy savings is the key factor that users need to know before deciding to use a lighting management system (the type of light management system). For this purpose, it is useful to simulate the operation of the lighting control system, for example in the DIALux program. Such simulation helps evaluate potential savings in electricity consumption using the proposed lighting control system. In the DIALux program, it is possible to change the luminous flux value of luminaires. In such a case, it becomes possible to semi-simulate the light management system’s operation as we don’t receive actual information on reducing installed power of the lighting system during reduction of the luminous flux value of luminaires. This article shows what type of technical data are important to use for the DIALux program to properly and accurately simulate light management systems and to receive accurate data on energy saving. It also presents the results of photometrical and electric parameter measurements (Φ – luminous flux, P – power, PF – power factor, THDi – total harmonic distortion of current). The article discusses the power control characteristics obtained on the basis of these measurements and explores the source of differences between simulation of energy saving calculations and real measured energy savings. An existing lighting control system installed in an office reception area was used to compare calculations with the real value of energy consumption reduction. The impact of electronic power and control systems on electrical network parameters is also an important problem mentioned in this article. It also explores the effect of power regulation of LED luminaires and LED modules on the value of the power factor and total harmonic distortion (current) value (THDi).

Outdoor lighting is an important element in creating an evening and nocturnal image of urban spaces. Properly designed and constructed lighting installations provide residents with comfort and security. One way to improve the energy efficiency of road lighting installation is to replace the electromagnetic control gear (ECG) with electronic ballasts (EB). The main purpose of this article is to provide an in-depth comparative analysis of the energy efficiency and performance of HPS lamps with ECG and EB. It will compare their performance under sinusoidal and nonsinusoidal voltage supply conditions for the four most commonly used HPS lamps of 70 W, 100 W, 150 W, and 250 W. The number of luminaires supplied from one circuit was determined based on the value of permissible active power losses. With the use of the DIALux program, projects of road lighting installation were developed. On this basis, energy performance indicators, electricity consumption, electricity costs, and CO 2 emissions were calculated for one-phase and three-phase installations. The obtained results indicate that an HPS lamp with EB is better than an HPS lamp with ECG in terms of energy quality, energy savings, and environmental impact. The results of this analysis are expected to assist in the choice of HPS lighting technology.