What is an MH bulb?
What is an MH bulb?
A metal-halide lamp is an electrical lamp that produces light by an electric arc through a gaseous mixture of vaporized mercury and metal halides (compounds of metals with bromine or iodine). It is a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) gas discharge lamp.
How does a MH ballast work?
MH lamps start when their ballast supplies a high starting voltage higher than those normally supplied to the lamp electrodes through a gas mixture in the arc tube. In addition to supplying the correct starting voltage, the ballast also regulates the lamp starting current and lamp operating current.
Do metal halide lights need 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.
Can I replace metal halide with high pressure sodium?
Both Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium bulbs are part of the HID family of bulbs. These bulbs cannot be interchanged without changing their ballast, the regulating element in all light bulbs.
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.
Will HPS work in MH ballast?
Yes, you’re allowed to change your mind—at least when it comes to MH and HPS lighting. Although the two fixtures use what are normally incompatible ballasts, conversion bulbs will let you switch lighting types. Some conversion bulbs allow MH light to work with HPS ballasts, and others let HPS work with MH ballasts.
Can you use a 250 watt bulb in a 400 watt ballast?
Yes, but that current is to high for the 250-watt lamp.
What is high pressure sodium light used for?
High-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps have been widely used in industrial lighting, especially in large manufacturing facilities, and are commonly used as plant grow lights. They contain mercury. They have also been widely used for outdoor area lighting, such as on roadways, parking lots, and security areas.
Can you put a regular bulb in a metal halide fixture?
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. Similarly, a standard incandescent bulb would never be able to withstand the ballast voltage in a metal halide fixture.
What does a capacitor do in a metal halide light?
Capacitors are used as a power factor correcting or current regulating device and provide the control necessary to ensure proper lamp and ballast operation. Different wattages, voltages, and ballast types require a variety of different capacitor values.
