Metal halide lamps are gas-discharge light sources that provide high light output and different color casts. They are widely used in stadium, factory, warehouse, and outdoor lighting applications. They require a special ballast and are suitable for large open spaces. They have a warm-up period and should be used with closed fittings.
Metal halide lamps are gas-discharge light sources that provide illumination by passing an electric arc through a high-pressure mixture of argon, mercury, and metal halides. Similar in operation to fluorescent and mercury vapor lamps, metal halide lamps are distinguished by their high light output and different color casts. Due to their relatively small size and high wattage ratings, these lamps are widely used in stadium, factory, warehouse, and outdoor lighting applications. Metal halide lamps come in a fairly wide range of wattage ratings typically including variations from 150 to 1,200 watts. These lamps require a special ballast to work properly, the cost of which is usually justified by the long life and excellent performance.
Gas discharge lamps belong to a family of light sources known as high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. These lamps are suitable for applications where a high lumen output is required because they are particularly powerful for their size. They are also useful where a particular color cast is required because each type has a specific metallic salt added to it which produces different shades of light. Metal halide lamps work by passing a high voltage electric arc through a pressurized mixture of argon gas and mercury to which metal halides have been added. Metal halides are ionic halide salts that are included in the mixture to affect the specific color temperature or hue of the lamps.
Large open spaces and large internal volumes are environments that greatly benefit from the use of metal halide lamps. Typical applications for this type of lamp include sports venue lighting, outdoor security lighting, warehouses and factories. The color cast characteristics of the lamps can also be customized to closely simulate daylight. Other common uses include theatrical, photo studio and film set lighting. Reef aquarists also use metal halide lamps as a high intensity light source for coral growth.
These lamps are available in a wide selection of wattage ratings, with the 150, 250, 400, 575 and 1,200 watt variants being the most popular. Metal halide lamps require a special fitting to function properly as their high voltage arc requires the inclusion of a ballast in the fitting. However, any additional costs are adequately compensated for by good lighting qualities and a long service life. This family of lamps is unable to produce its full luminous potential below a certain operating temperature and has a characteristic ‘warm up’ period where each lamp glows dimly and changes colour. Metal halide lamps should ideally be used with closed fittings when suspended over high traffic areas as arc tube failure can sometimes cause the outer tube to rupture.
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