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Carbide lamps burn acetylene and were originally designed for mining but are still used for caving and camping. They have two chambers connected with a valve that drips water into calcium carbide, generating acetylene that escapes through a nozzle. Safety risks include pressure buildup and overheating. The light produced is bright, white, and uniform, making it useful in underground environments. Calcium carbide can be obtained industrially and refills are available for new lamps. Antique lamps must be cleaned and inspected before use, and testing should be done in a controlled environment with a fire extinguisher on hand.
A carbide lamp is a lamp designed to burn acetylene, a gas that will burn hot and bright under the right conditions. These types of lamps were originally designed for mining, and while they have largely been replaced by electric lamps, some people still use carbide lamps for caving, camping, and mining. Antique versions can be purchased at an auction or through an antique store, while new versions are available from outside vendors who sell camping gear and related supplies.
The design of a carbide lamp includes two chambers connected with a valve. When the valve is open, water can drip from the upper chamber into the lower chamber, which is filled with calcium carbide. This causes a chemical reaction that generates acetylene, with the gas escaping from a nozzle in front of the lamp. Acetylene can be ignited with a match or similar device, generating a bright flame. Often a reflector is mounted on the lamp to diffuse the light.
There are some potential safety risks with the lamp. It is important to ensure that the nozzle is clear so that gas can escape or the lamp can explode due to pressure buildup inside. It is also essential to be able to control the valve that drips water, since it controls the amount of gas produced inside the chambers. When the carbide lamp is not in use, the valve must close tightly so that no flammable gas is generated. These lamps also get very hot which can become a safety issue.
The light produced by a carbide lamp is bright, white and uniform. The uniform nature of the light can be very useful in underground environments where lights with filaments and lenses can cast distinctive shadows. Shadows can obscure important visual information or create confusion in a space, which can disorient the underground when people have no frame of reference they can use to figure out where they are.
The calcium carbide to operate carbide lamps is produced industrially. It can be obtained through a number of companies. Many stores that sell new calcium carbide lamps also sell calcium carbide refills or can point people to potential sources. For people buying antique lamps, it is vital to clean and inspect the lamp, paying particular attention to checking the valve and nozzle, before powering the lamp and testing it. It is also recommended that a carbide lamp be tested in a controlled environment with a fire extinguisher on hand in case of problems.
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