Infrared Lamp vs Red Heat Lamp: What's the Difference?

[carter7gindenv]

TL;DR Summary

Is there a difference between Infrared lamp and red heat lamp?

Hi I'm going to use a light based source of heating for a science experiment at my university and I'm a bit confused. Sometimes the names infrared (IR) lamp and heat lamp are used as two different thing and sometimes not but I can't find clear info about it. Is there a difference?

thanks in advance!

 

[Rive]

If you stay within the category of 'lamp', then check here

 

[essenmein]

I would reduce it to first principles to cut through what is essentially marketing talk.

Infra red is a range of wavelengths of light.

Light is range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.

Radiation is the transfer of energy enabled via the elementary particle the photon.

So sounds like you want to heat something by transferring energy to it using photons, ie by using radiation as the transfer mechanism.

Light (electromagnetic radiation) does not need to be "infrared" to transfer energy (heat something up), all that is required is that the light be absorbed by the target and not reflected. However in certain circumstances you might want a "heat lamp", which is a light source heavy on the infra red spectrum. These have a photon flux that is high in the non visible spectra, ie, so you feel the warmth, but are not blinded by it. This is specifically a human quirk because we don't see the IR spectrum, not because its ability to transfer energy is different.

You might specifically want IR radiation if other wavelengths of light negatively impact the target or the target is reflective at those other wavelengths (and painting it is not an option). Or if you have optics or other materials in the way that are opaque to visible but transparent in IR.

But if you just want to heat something with light, all you need is enough power and ensure the light is absorbed.

 

[sophiecentaur]

So sounds like you want to heat something by transferring energy to it using photons, ie by using radiation as the transfer mechanism.

Exactly what you want to heat and how could be important. Theraputic heat treatment (cannot remember the fancy name) uses IR, rather than just light because they claim it 'penetrates better' without 'burning'. Shorter wavelengths from a high power lamp may heat just the surface when that's not necessarily what you want. Of course a red hot element will be the right temperature and last longer than a lamp.

 

[essenmein]

Was curious so had to go look, seems that penetrating the skin thing is a fairly narrow band, most likely due to the red color of our working fluid.