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Safety lamps were developed for use in mines to provide lighting without causing explosions from flammable gases. Early lamps used flames, while modern lamps are electric and shielded to prevent sparking. They also act as alarms, with changes in the flame indicating dangerous gas levels. Today, miners use sensors for gas detection and wear safety lamps only for lighting.
A safety lamp is a lamp designed for safe use in areas where flammable gases and particles are present. This device was originally developed for use in mining, although it can also be used in other environments. Early safety lamps used flames, while modern lamps are usually electric. Numerous examples of antique safety lamps can be seen on museum displays, including versions designed by early pioneers in this field, such as Sir Humphry Davy.
Mining has always been a dangerous job with its own set of challenges, one of which is providing adequate lighting. Low light conditions in mines can lead to eye problems for miners as well as make work difficult, and early mines used a variety of tools for lighting. Most of these tools involved open flames of some sort, or partially shielded flames, which were a serious safety risk in a mine, as flammable gas releases around an open flame can cause an explosion. Hence the need for a safety lamp.
The safety lamp is designed not to trigger an explosion in the presence of flammable materials. The heat from the lamp is carefully distributed and the flame itself is shielded so that temperatures cannot rise high enough for gases and particles of materials such as coal to ignite. In the case of a lamp that does not rely on an open flame, such as an electric lamp, the electrical components are shielded to prevent sparking and the heat from the lamp is dissipated so it does not become dangerously hot. Historically, safety lamps were hung along the corridors of the mine; today, most mines are electrified with their own safety lighting systems and miners wear safety lamps on their hard hats.
A flame safety lamp, however, does not just provide a source of illumination. It also acts as a form of alarm, because the nature of the flame changes as the composition of the gases in the surrounding air changes. A lack of oxygen would cause the flame to burst, sending a signal to the miners to get out before they suffocate. Flammable gases can cause a flame to grow or change color, indicating that a dangerous situation has emerged and the mine must be evacuated until the gases can be vented safely.
Today, miners rely on a series of sensors to alert them when the underground gas mixture is becoming dangerous, rather than a safety lamp. These sensors emit audible alarms in addition to generating a visual alarm, making it easier for miners to respond. Safety lamps worn by miners are used as a light source only, with shielded electrical components ensuring a spark does not emerge to ignite the gases in the mine.
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