Table of Contents
What is the use of ignitor in metal halide lamp?
An ignitor is needed to switch on the lamp, and the current must be controlled by a ballast. The use of ceramic discharge tubes further improves the lamp properties. 1. Ballasts The manufacturers of metal halide lamps use a range of operating principles, resulting in different electrical operating values.
Do metal halide lamps need igniters?
Pulse-start metal-halide bulbs don’t contain a starting electrode which strikes the arc, and require an ignitor to generate a high-voltage (1–5 kV on cold strike, over 30 kV on hot restrike) pulse to start the arc. Electronic ballasts include the igniter circuit in one package.
Do metal halide bulbs require ballast?
Metal halide (MH) ballasts are required to start the lamp, regulate the lamp starting and lamp operating currents, and provide appropriate sustaining supply voltage. MH lamp voltage typically increases over time, and the ballast must continue to provide sufficient voltage to the lamp as it ages.
How does a metal halide light fixture work?
To put it simply, metal halide technology works by passing an electrical arc through a mix of gasses, creating light. When the lamp is inactive, the mercury and metal halide salts are condensed inside the inner arc tube. Metal halide lighting features two electrodes –– one on each end of the inner arc tube.
What causes metal halide lamps to explode?
It might be letting too much current — which would overheat// over pressurize the active component of the MH. So you have to be on the watch for that, too. Voltage spikes would produce the same heat surges, again, destroying the lamp.
Can you put a metal halide bulb in a regular light fixture?
Like fluorescent lights, metal halides require a ballast to provide high starting voltages and to regulate current inside the bulb during operation. This is why a metal halide bulb will not work in a standard household lighting fixture — aside from the fact that the larger E39 base will not fit.
Can I use LED bulb in metal halide fixture?
Light-emitting diode (LED) technology advancements now allow you to retrofit your metal halide lamps with a simple bulb change. LEDs can give you comparable lumens at a fraction of the energy cost.
Can you use a LED bulb in a metal halide fixture?
Light-emitting diode (LED) technology advancements now allow you to retrofit your metal halide lamps with a simple bulb change. LEDs can give you comparable lumens at a fraction of the energy cost. They are also longer-lived and show a lower reduction of performance over their service life.
Why do metal halide lamps require a ballast?
MH lamp voltage typically increases over time, and the ballast must continue to provide sufficient voltage to the lamp as it ages. In addition, the American National Standards Institute ( ANSI) and/or the lamp manufacturers specify a suitable current wave shape to the lamp to achieve good lumen maintenance.
Why are metal halide lights better than LEDs?
This is due to how long they last and the little bit of energy they use. Another disadvantage to LEDs when compared to MH lamps is their ability to produce white light. Metal halide lamps are great because of their vivid white “natural” light that they emit.
What makes a metal halide light turn white?
Things are now heating up, causing the metal halides to turn into gas. The metal halide atoms begin to move away from the arc, and in doing so white light is created. Being this entire process is rather intense, the MH lamp needs materials that can withstand it. For that reason, the inner arc tube normally consists of ceramic or quartz.
What kind of halide lamp is used for photography?
The HMI. Another kind of metal halide lamp is the halogen metal iodide or HMI lamp. It is mainly used for photography since it makes a 5600 K light (matching natural daylight) and has a great CRI. The lamp has a optimum combination of metal halides made of rare earth metals.