HID Lights

HID Lights

HID lights are powerful, high-volume light output lamps. They are mostly used in commercial and industrial applications, such as automotive headlights, outdoor security lights, parking garage lights, roadway lights, sports lights, or warehouse lights.

HIDs produce light by means of an electric arc that flows between two electrodes inside a clear quartz arc tube, which is filled with gas and metal salts. HID lamps emit more light per watt than either fluorescent or incandescent lamps because this method of illumination allows a greater proportion of radiation to become visible light rather than heat. Like compact fluorescents, HIDs require a ballast to regulate the voltage supplied to the arc.

Depending on the desired characteristics of light intensity, color temperature, color rendering index (CRI), energy efficiency, and lifespan, various types of chemistry are used in the arc tubes of HID lamps.

Varieties of HID lamps include:

• Metal Halide (MH)
• Metal Halide - Pulse Start
• High Pressure Sodium
• Low Pressure Sodium

Metal Halide

Metal Halide (MH) bulbs emit very bright white light and can be used either indoors or outdoors. They are typically used in applications where color rendering is critical, such as indoor or nighttime sports game lights and automotive headlamps.

Pulse Start (Metal Halide)

Pulse Start MH bulbs operate on ballasts that use new and efficient Pulse Start technology. Pulse Start technology improves the lamp life and energy-efficiency of MH lights, making these lamps a highly desirable HID option.

High Pressure Sodium

High Pressure Sodium (HPS) bulbs are typically used in street lamps. HPS bulbs are more energy-efficient than other HIDs; however, they have a low color rendition and emit yellow light. They are typically used in places where color perception is not critical to save money on energy costs.

Low Pressure Sodium

Low Pressure Sodium (LPS) bulbs are mostly used in Europe for outdoor street lighting. LPS bulbs have the lowest color rendition of all HIDs, emitting monochromatic yellow-orange light. However, they are the most energy-efficient HIDs, making them ideal in places where color rendering is not critical.