Sample preparation for measurement of mercury level in fluorescent lamps

This International Standard specifies sample preparation methods for determining mercury levels in new tubular fluorescent lamps (including single capped, double capped, self-ballasted and CCFL for backlighting) containing 0,1 mg mercury or more. The intended resolution of the methods described in this standard is of the order of 5 %. Mercury level measurement of spent lamps is excluded, as during lamp operation, mercury gradually diffuses into the glass wall and reacts with the glass materials. The test method of this standard does not recover mercury that is diffused into or reacted with or otherwise incorporated irreversibly with the glass wall of discharge tubes. This standard does not contain information on measurement. Measurement is specified in IEC 62321.

Vorbereitung des Prüfmusters zur Messung des Quecksilbergehalts in Leuchtstofflampen

Préparation des échantillons en vue de la mesure du niveau de mercure dans les lampes fluorescentes

La CEI 62554:2011 spécifie les méthodes de préparation des échantillons en vue de la détermination des niveaux de mercure dans des lampes tubulaires à fluorescence (y compris celles à un culot, à deux culots, à ballast incorporé et les CCFL pour le rétro-éclairage) dont la teneur en mercure est de 0,1 mg ou supérieure. La résolution prévue des méthodes décrites dans la présente norme est de l'ordre de 5 %. La mesure du niveau de mercure des lampes usagées est exclue car au cours du fonctionnement de la lampe, le mercure se diffuse progressivement dans la paroi de verre et réagit aux matériaux de verre. La méthode d'essai de la présente norme ne récupère pas le mercure qui s'est diffusé dans la paroi de verre des tubes à décharge ou ayant réagi avec cette paroi de verre ou encore qui s'est incorporé dans celle-ci de manière irréversible. La présente norme ne contient aucune information relative aux mesures. Les mesures sont spécifiées dans la CEI 62321.

Priprava vzorca za merjenje ravni živega srebra v fluorescenčnih sijalkah

Ta mednarodni standard določa metode priprave vzorca za določevanje ravni živega srebra v novih cevnih fluorescenčnih sijalkah (vključno z enim vznožkom, dvojnim vznožkom, z lastno dušilko in CCFL za odbojno prepustnost), ki vsebujejo 0,1 mg živega srebra ali več. Predvidena ločljivost metod, opisanih v tem standardu, je reda 5 %. Merjenje ravni živega srebra iztrošenih sijalk je izvzeto, ker med delovanjem sijalke živo srebro postopoma preide v stekleno steno in reagira s steklenimi materiali. Preskusna metoda tega standarda ne obnovi živega srebra, ki je prešel v stekleno steno iztrošenih sijalk, reagiral z njo ali se kako drugače nepovrnljivo združil z njo. Ta standard ne vsebuje informacij o merjenju. Merjenje je določeno v IEC 62321.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
17-Nov-2011
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
15-Nov-2011
Due Date
20-Jan-2012
Completion Date
18-Nov-2011

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SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 62554:2012
01-januar-2012
3ULSUDYDY]RUFD]DPHUMHQMHUDYQLåLYHJDVUHEUDYIOXRUHVFHQþQLKVLMDONDK
Sample preparation for measurement of mercury level in fluorescent lamps
Vorbereitung des Prüfmusters zur Messung des Quecksilbergehalts in
Leuchtstofflampen
Préparation des échantillons en vue de la mesure du niveau de mercure dans les lampes
fluorescentes
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 62554:2011
ICS:
29.140.30 )OXRUHVFHQþQHVLMDONH6LMDONH Fluorescent lamps.
Discharge lamps
SIST EN 62554:2012 en,fr,de
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 62554:2012

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SIST EN 62554:2012

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 62554

NORME EUROPÉENNE
October 2011
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 29.140.30


English version


Sample preparation for measurement of mercury level in fluorescent
lamps
(IEC 62554:2011)


Préparation des échantillons en vue de la Vorbereitung des Prüfmusters zur
mesure du niveau de mercure dans les Messung des Quecksilbergehalts in
lampes fluorescentes Leuchtstofflampen
(CEI 62554:2011) (IEC 62554:2011)





This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2011-09-23. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2011 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 62554:2011 E

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SIST EN 62554:2012
EN 62554:2011 - 2 -
Foreword
The text of document 34A/1484/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 62554, prepared by SC 34A, "Lamps", of
IEC TC 34, "Lamps and related equipment" was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and
approved by CENELEC as EN 62554:2011.

The following dates are fixed:
(dop) 2012-06-23
• latest date by which the document has
to be implemented at national level by
publication of an identical national
standard or by endorsement
(dow) 2014-09-23
• latest date by which the national
standards conflicting with the
document have to be withdrawn

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC [and/or CEN] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 62554:2011 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
- 3 - EN 62554:2011
Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

ISO/IEC 17025 2005 General requirements for the competence of EN ISO/IEC 17025 2005
testing and calibration laboratories


IEC 62321 2008 Electrotechnical products - Determination of EN 62321 2009
levels of six regulated substances (lead,
mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium,
polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated
diphenyl ethers)


ISO 3696 1987 Water for analytical laboratory use - EN ISO 3696 1995
Specification and test methods

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SIST EN 62554:2012

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SIST EN 62554:2012

IEC 62554
®

Edition 1.0 2011-08
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD
NORME
INTERNATIONALE
colour
inside


Sample preparation for measurement of mercury level in fluorescent lamps

Préparation des échantillons en vue de la mesure du niveau de mercure dans
les lampes fluorescentes

INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
COMMISSION
ELECTROTECHNIQUE
PRICE CODE
INTERNATIONALE
CODE PRIX S
ICS 29.140.30 ISBN 978-2-88912-632-3

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
Marque déposée de la Commission Electrotechnique Internationale

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SIST EN 62554:2012
– 2 – 62554 © IEC:2011
CONTENTS
FOREWORD . 3
INTRODUCTION . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms and definitions . 6
4 General . 7
5 Procedure for collecting mercury from a fluorescent lamp . 7
5.1 General . 7
5.2 Reagents . 7
5.3 Chemical lab ware . 8
5.4 Sample preparation . 8
5.4.1 Cold spotting methods . 8
5.4.2 Sample preparation of fluorescent lamps by non-cold-spot (sectioning)
methods . 10
5.4.3 Sample preparation of fluorescent lamps by non-cold-spot (crushing)
methods . 11
5.4.4 Nitric acid rinse method for linear fluorescent lamps . 12
5.4.5 Direct mercury measurement . 12
5.4.6 Sample preparation of other fluorescent lamps . 13
5.5 Sample digestion . 13
5.5.1 Ambient conditions . 13
5.5.2 Glass samples (in 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 000 ml or 2 000 ml container) . 13
5.5.3 Metal samples (in 125 ml container) . 13
5.6 Filtering . 14
6 Measurement . 14
6.1 Blank test . 14
6.2 Data reporting . 14
6.3 Analysis . 14
Annex A (informative) Electrothermal vaporization atomic absorption spectrometry
(EVAAS) method . 15
Annex B (informative) Information on the cold spotting method . 18

Figure A.1 – Configuration of the electrothermal vaporization atomic absorption
spectrometry testing apparatus . 15
Figure A.2 – An example of the electrothermal vaporization atomic absorption
spectrometer test apparatus layout . 16
Figure B.1 – Example of glass cell arrangement . 19
Figure B.2 – Example of cooling device arrangement . 20

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SIST EN 62554:2012
62554 © IEC:2011 – 3 –
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR MEASUREMENT
OF MERCURY LEVEL IN FLUORESCENT LAMPS


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in
addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports,
Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their
preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising
with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between
any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and expenses
arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 62554 has been prepared by subcommittee 34A: Lamps, of IEC
technical committee 34: Lamps and related equipment.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
FDIS Report on voting
34A/1484/FDIS 34A/1502/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
– 4 – 62554 © IEC:2011
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates
that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct understanding
of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a colour printer.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
62554 © IEC:2011 – 5 –
INTRODUCTION
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) draws attention to the fact that it is claimed
that compliance with this document may involve the use of a patent concerning Cold spotting
given in 5.4.1.
IEC takes no position concerning the evidence, validity and scope of this patent right.
The holder of this patent right has assured the IEC that he/she is willing to negotiate licences
free of charge with applicants throughout the world. In this respect, the statement of the holder
of this patent right is registered with IEC. Information may be obtained from:
General Electric Company
Appliance Park AP35-1002, Louisville, KY, 40225-0001, US
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the
subject of patent rights other than those identified above. IEC shall not be held responsible for
identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO (www.iso.org/patents) and IEC (http://patents.iec.ch) maintain on-line data bases of patents
relevant to their standards. Users are encouraged to consult the data bases for the most up to
date information concerning patents.
According to IEC SMB 136/7 decision, the technical committee decided to remove designation of
a reference method.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
– 6 – 62554 © IEC:2011
SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR MEASUREMENT
OF MERCURY LEVEL IN FLUORESCENT LAMPS



1 Scope
This International Standard specifies sample preparation methods for determining mercury
levels in new tubular fluorescent lamps (including single capped, double capped, self-ballasted
and CCFL for backlighting) containing 0,1 mg mercury or more. The intended resolution of the
methods described in this standard is of the order of 5 %.
Mercury level measurement of spent lamps is excluded, as during lamp operation, mercury
gradually diffuses into the glass wall and reacts with the glass materials. The test method of this
standard does not recover mercury that is diffused into or reacted with or otherwise incorporated
irreversibly with the glass wall of discharge tubes.
This standard does not contain information on measurement. Measurement is specified in
IEC 62321.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the
referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 17025:2005, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration
laboratories
IEC 62321:2008, Electrotechnical products – Determination of levels of six regulated
substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls,
polybrominated diphenyl ethers)
ISO 3696:1987, Water for analytical laboratory use – Specification and test methods
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
new lamp
a lamp that has not been energized since manufacture
3.2
cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) for backlighting
small diameter fluorescent lamp having cold cathode in the lamp, in which most of light is
emitted by the excitation of phosphors coated in discharge tube and used as backlight in LCD
3.3
external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL) for backlighting
small diameter fluorescent lamp having cold cathode attached outside the lamp, in which most of
light is emitted by the excitation of phosphors coated in discharge tube and used as backlighting
in LCD
EEFL is a subtype in CCFL lamp group.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
62554 © IEC:2011 – 7 –
4 General
Mercury in fluorescent lamps exists in the following states:
a) vapour in a lamp;
b) liquid metal;
c) compound;
d) alloy.
There is a wide variety of mercury dosing solutions including appearance and placement of
mercury dispensing devices and also composition and structure of those devices. Although
some of the lamps are dosed with amalgam or solid mercury alloy, there are also many
fluorescent lamps dosed with liquid mercury.
Amalgam dosed lamps often have device(s) that act as an auxiliary amalgam. Form and location
of these devices vary widely as well.
The introduction of a cold spot (see Annex B) minimizes the loss of mercury in the vapour state
when the discharge tube is opened. With the lamp operating, the cold spot will condense all the
mercury in the discharge, allowing superior control for mercury recovery.
The procedure in Clause 5 below includes a method to collect liquid mercury, mercury
compounds and alloys and amalgams.
The total amount of mercury is determined by measuring the amount of liquid mercury, mercury
compounds and alloys and amalgam.
The amount of mercury is calculated from the measured mercury concentration, the volume of
the filtered solution and the dilution factor.
5 Procedure for collecting mercury from a fluorescent lamp
5.1 General
For test arrangement and ambient conditions, relevant parts of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 shall be
followed.
WARNING – Persons using this International Standard should be familiar with normal laboratory
practice. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated
with its use. It is the responsibility of the user to establish appropriate safety and health
practices, to avoid pollution of the environment and to ensure compliance with any national
regulatory conditions.
5.2 Reagents
The following reagents shall be used:
– water: Grade 1, as specified in ISO 3696;
–9
– the mass fraction of mercury in the following reagents shall be below 1 × 10 ;
– potassium permanganate 5 % aqueous solution (m/v);
– nitric acid, concentrated 65 %;
– hydrochloric acid, concentrated 37 %;
– hydrofluoric acid, concentrated 40 %.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
– 8 – 62554 © IEC:2011
5.3 Chemical lab ware
Chemical lab ware shall be verified to be mercury non-absorbing.
Chemical lab ware shall be as follows:
– disposable vacuum filter pack with medium retention filter;
– disposable wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottles: 125 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml, 1 000 ml,
2 000 ml;
– disposable wide mouth sturdy plastic bag nominal 500 ml, 1 000 ml;
– beaker 50 ml, 100 ml, 125 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml;
– volumetric flasks: 50 ml, 100 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml;
– micropipettes;
– dispensers;
– bench coat: sheet of plastic lined laboratory bench paper.
NOTE The plastic bag may be clear polyethylene or similar chemical and acid resistant material nominally 0,01 mm
or thicker. The 1 000 ml bag would be approximately 200 mm × 300 mm. Sometimes known as a “blender or stomacher
bag” they are available from biological laboratory suppliers. Bag size may be adjusted to suit availability and lamp size
being tested.
5.4 Sample preparation
Sample preparation process shall be a continuous operation without excessive hold time.
5.4.1 Cold spotting methods
5.4.1.1 General
Cold spotting is a method for condensing free mercury in a localized position (see Annex B).
The mercury localization occurs while the low-pressure discharge lamp is “ON” under normal
operating conditions while a small area (the cold spot) of the discharge tube is maintained at a
low temperature. During the cold spotting process, no heavy end blackening should be
observed.
When the free mercury is fully condensed, the light output of the lamp will drop significantly and
the discharge colour will typically turn pink. The process of free mercury localization
(cold-spotting) is then completed.
NOTE Mercury collection with cold spot below 0 °C and operating with the normal control gear of the lamp may take
several days.
5.4.1.2 Sample preparation of self-ballasted and single capped compact fluorescent
multi limbed lamps with cold-spotting
Discharge tube cutting operations shall be carried out above the wide mouth screw capped
plastic bottle to minimize the risk of material loss.
Sample containers shall be as follows.
– Use 250 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for cold spot section as first container.
– Use 125 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for end portions of discharge tube as
second container.
– Use 500 ml or 1 000 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for glass parts of discharge
tube, depending on which one fits better to the discharge tube dimensions under test as third
container.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
62554 © IEC:2011 – 9 –
The sample preparation shall be executed according to the process steps listed below.
a) Separate discharge tube from its outer bulb, if any.
b) Clean the discharge tube with chemical wipe.
c) Mark discharge tube in a non-destructive manner for first sectioning. Mark 3 cm on both
sides of the cold spot.
d) Collect the free mercury with cold spotting – see 5.4.1.1 – until mercury starvation is verified.
e) Remove lamp from cooler. Keep lamp in same position as it was during cold spotting until
sectioning.
f) Place the lamp on cutting table covered by bench coat – with the plastic side up, toward the
lamp.
g) Score and break the discharge tube at the first mark allowing the arc tube to fill with air
slowly so that no fluorescent powder coating of the tube is blown off.
h) Break the lamp fully at the first mark. Score and break the lamp at the other mark around the
cold spot. Place cold spot section (6 cm) immediately into the first container. Close the
container. Shake first container allowing the discharge tube section to crush. Keep the first
container in crushed ice until digestion. Allow 5 min for the floating dust to settle before
continuing. Proceed to 5.5.2 sample digestion with the first container immediately.
i) Next, separate discharge tube from plastic surrounds and associated electronics, if any. Cut
associated lead wires as close to the glass seal as possible. Only the discharge tube will be
used for mercury level measurement.
j) Score and break all tip offs and check for metal parts. Crush tip offs with pliers into the
second container.
k) Score both of the lead wire containing ends of the discharge tube approximately 7 mm from
the end of the tube. Pre-score discharge tube for sectioning, step n) below. Use the minimum
possible number of sections allowing the parts to fit into the third container.
l) Cut lead wire containing ends of the discharge tube at the score using hot rod or hot wire.
m) Check end portions for any hollow glass objects and crush them gently with pliers into the
second container. Carefully avoid touching the content of hollow glass objects with the pliers.
Place the removed end portions – inclusive of metal parts in them – of the discharge tube
into the second container and close the container.
n) Section the discharge tube using hot rod or wire at scores marked in step k) above.
o) Place discharge tube section(s) into the third container.
p) Check bench coat for material chips. Any material on bench coat shall be placed into the
third container. Then, close the third container.
q) Shake the third container allowing the discharge tube sections(s) to crush. Allow 5 min for
the floating dust to settle before continuing.
Samples are ready for digestion. Proceed to 5.5 sample digestion immediately.
5.4.1.3 Sample preparation of linear fluorescent lamps with cold spotting
Sample containers shall be as follows.
– Use 250 ml or 500 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for cold spot section as first
container.
– Use 125 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for end portions of discharge tube as
second container.
– Use 250 ml, 500 ml , 1 000 ml or 2 000 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for glass
parts of discharge tube, depending on which one fits better to the discharge tube dimensions
under test as third container.

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SIST EN 62554:2012
– 10 – 62554 © IEC:2011
The sample preparation shall be executed according to the process steps listed below.
a) Separate discharge tube from its fragment retention cover, if any.
b) Mark discharge tube in a non-destructive manner for first sectioning. Mark 12 cm from the
labelled end for the initial cut; mark 6 cm on both sides of the cold spot.
c) Collect the free mercury with cold spotting – see 5.4.1.1 – until mercury starvation is verified.
d) Remove lamp from cooler. Keep lamp horizontal until sectioning.
e) Place the lamp on cutting table covered by bench coat – with the plastic side up, toward the
lamp.
f) Score and break the discharge tube at the first mark allowing the arc tube to fill with air
slowly so that no fluorescent powder coating of the tube is blown off.
g) Score and break the lamp at the remaining two marks. Place cold spot section (12 cm)
immediately into the first container. Close the first container. Shake the first container
allowing the discharge tube section to crush. Keep the first container in crushed ice until
digestion. Allow 5 min for the floating dust to settle before continuing. Proceed to the 5.5.2
sample digestion immediately.
h) Next, separate discharge tube from its plastic and metallic surrounds. Cut associated lead
wires as close to the glass seal as possible. Only the discharge tube will be used for mercury
level measurement.
i) Score both of the lead wire containing ends of the discharge tube approximately 7 mm from
the end of the tube. Pre-score discharge tube for sectioning. Use the minimum possible
number of sections allowing the parts to fit into the third container.
j) Section the ends of the discharge tube using hot rod or wire at scores marked. Score and
break tip offs and check for metal parts. Crush tip offs with pliers into the second container.
Check end portions for any hollow glass objects and crush them gently with pliers into the
second container. Carefully avoid touching the content of hollow glass objects with the pliers.
Place the end portions – inclusive of metal parts in them – of the discharge tube into the
second container and close the second container.
k) Section the remaining discharge tube using hot rod or wire at scores marked in step i).
l) Place discharge tube sections into the third container.
m) Check bench coat for material chips. Any material on bench coat shall be placed into the
third container. Then close the third container.
n) Shake the third container allowing the discharge tube to crush. Allow 5 min for the floating
dust to settle before opening.
Samples are ready for digestion. Proceed to 5.5 sample digestion immediately.
5.4.2 Sample preparation of fluorescent lamps by non-cold-spot (sectioning) methods
Sample containers shall be as follows.
– Use 500 ml or 1 000 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for glass parts of discharge
tube, depending on which one fits better to the discharge tube dimensions under test as first
container.
– Use 125 ml wide mouth screw-capped plastic bottle for
...

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