What Is A Black Light Bulb?
Black light bulbs look just like regular light bulbs as far as shape and appearance, yet are black in color instead of clear or white. Not only are these bulbs black, but they do something different than a regular light bulb would. When you switch on a black light bulb, objects will glow in the dark. The colors that are most affected are whites and neon and fluorescent colors. Perhaps most exciting about a black light bulb is that it is also responsible for making the invisible appear visible.
What Are Black Lights Used For?
Black light bulbs are most commonly found in novelty locations, such as nightclubs, amusement parks, concerts, and bowling alleys. They provide a fun appeal in an easy and inexpensive way, especially when paired with neon and fluorescent colors. Black lights are a common find amongst teens rooms, who are looking to add character to their space without causing any surface damage. Black lights are also a popular find for Halloween-themed parties and haunted houses.
Because black light bulbs make neon colors glow, they are also used in nightclubs and amusement parks to determine admission. Instead of having to wear a wristband or have an ink stamp that can be rubbed off, your hand will be stamped with an invisible ink or highlighter. A black light is then shone on the hand to easily handle readmissions.
A black light bulb is not just for fun however, and some of its uses have proven quite effective in society. Because many countries, including the U.S., use a fluorescent strip in larger bills of currencies, black lights can be used to determine counterfeit money. At the scene of a crime, surfaces are dusted with a fluorescent dye that is then analyzed using a black light. Furthermore, black lights point out areas of interest at crime scenes, such as those of blood or bodily fluids.
Black lights are used by repairmen to locate leaks in machines. A small amount of fluorescent dye is added to the fuel supply and a black light is used to highlight the route of the dye, identifying leak hazards. Finally, black lights can be used to tell antiques apart from possible forgeries, as the paint is carefully analyzed using a black light.
How Do Black Light Bulbs Work?
Black lights work in a unique way to produce their glowing effects. Our eyes can naturally see visible light, which ranges from the colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. After the color violet is ultraviolet or UV light, which our eyes cannot see. There are 3 types of UV light, including UVA, UVB and UVC light. Black lights produce UVA light, which is the safest range of UV light because it’s low in energy and does not cause sunburn.
The glowing effects that you see are phosphors, which is a material that produces visible light when exposed to radiation. Therefore, when the phosphors are exposed to the UV rays from the black light, they are converted into a visible light. Objects that glow-in-the-dark are those that contain phosphors, such as highlighters, the detergent from clothes, paints, and plastics.
Types of Black Light Bulbs
There are two different types of black lights that are found on the market. They both work in similar ways to produce UV light to react with phosphors.
- Tube Black Light. This type of black light bulb is long and tube-shaped and looks just like a fluorescent lamp. What makes it different is that it’s covered in a phosphor coating, which emits UVA light. The black glass prevents the visible light from coming through so only the UVA, blue and violet light shine through.
- Incandescent Black Light Bulb. This type of light bulb looks just like a regular incandescent light bulb, except for that it’s colored black. This black light bulb absorbs all visible light, except for UVA and infrared light.
Why Do Black Lights Look Purple When Turned On?
Interestingly, turning on a black light lets off a soft glow of purple from the bulb. Black light bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, which gives off the visible colors of green and blue, as well as UV lights. If the black light bulb was clear, you would be able to see these green and blue colors since they’re on the visible spectrum. Instead, the bulb is dyed black so that visible light is blocked and UV light passes through.
Where Can I Buy Black Light Bulbs?
Although unique, black lights are a common find. They can be purchased from a variety of home improvement stores and super centers on a regular basis. Black light bulbs are located by the lighting section or party gear. During Halloween, black lights are plentiful and can be found at drugstores, card and party outlets and grocery stores. The bulbs you will find in stores are incandescent and tube black lights that are used for fun and appeal.
Black lights can also be purchased online from lighting and black light retailers. The advantage to purchasing black light bulbs online is that they can be bought for investigative uses as well. Black light bulbs come in flashlights, pens, watches, and keychains. Having these tools on-hand makes it easy to distinguish counterfeit money and IDs, as well as determine admission to clubs and bars.
In addition to purchasing black light bulbs online, you can also purchase black light accessories. These accessories are specifically designed to react to black lights, allowing them to glow in vibrant and neon colors. These black light accessories are ideal for parties, Halloween, New Years, or just plain fun. Some ideas of what you can find include:
- Posters
- Paint and Ink
- Jewelry
- Cosmetics
- Party Favors
- Tableware
- Candles and Bubbles
How Do I Dispose Of Black Light Bulbs?
It’s important to refer to your state’s disposal policy when discarding any type of light bulb. This can be found online and will serve as an important tool when recycling or disposing household light bulbs. In general, fluorescent black lights used in the home only contain minute traces of mercury, so it’s safe to discard them in the regular trash.
If you are discarding multiple fluorescent black lights however, you must dispose of them properly because they are considered hazardous waste. Bag the black light bulbs in two, thick plastic bags and set them out with your regular garbage. Or, call your local recycling center and ask if they participate in a program that handles hazardous materials.
Do Black Lights Come in Energy-Efficient Models?
As everything moves in the direction of preserving energy, black lights can also be purchased as compact fluorescent light bulbs or CFLs. CFL bulbs use less energy and protect the environment, outlasting standard incandescent bulbs. In fact, some CFL bulbs last up to 10,000 hours, which would equal 10 incandescent bulbs. This makes CFL black light bulbs a reliable and convenient way to throw parties using the same bulb. While not in use, unscrew the black light bulb and keep it neatly stored in a cool and dry place.
Whether entertaining, throwing a bash or simply interested in items that glow, black lights are a great way to add character and fun into your home or bedroom. Black light bulbs are easy to use, easy to keep clean and transform a room without the mess. Consider them as a useful alternative to messy paint or decals, and set the tone for your next gathering.