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. Their operation is a bit different and they therefore require different ballasts.
Can you use a HPS bulb in a MH fixture?
No. HID lamps & ballasts are a matched set . There are some combinations that will operate for a while, but it ends up in the failure of one component.
Which is better metal halide or high-pressure sodium?
Metal halide is much less efficient than high pressure sodium–MH produces much less light per watt; MH produces more glare due to the blue light component and increases adaptation time; MH more effectively shuts off melatonin production which can trigger tumor growth; MH contains more mercury within the bulbs; MH ...
When should I switch from high-pressure sodium to metal halide?
HPS grow light bulbs also maintain their brightness better and last longer overall than MH, although they still become less efficient towards the end of their lifespan and should be replaced before they burn out completely. The general recommendation is to replace HPS grow lamps after 12-18 months of regular use .
Are high-pressure sodium lights being phased out?
Phasing out
A number of popular lighting types will have to be phased out by 2017 including selected ‘standard’ high-pressure sodium (including retrofit), high-pressure mercury, and standard performance metal halide.
Can you use a HPS bulb without a ballast?
What is a Ballast and Why Do I Need One? You can’t run an HPS bulb without a fitting ballast . At best you’re going to break the bulb, and in the worst case scenario you’re setting an explosion up. A ballast is what powers your HPS bulbs.
Do high pressure sodium lights need ballast?
HPS lamps require ballasts to regulate the arc current flow and deliver the proper voltage to the arc. HPS lamps do not contain starting electrodes. Instead, an electronic starting circuit within the ballast generates a high-voltage pulse to the operating electrodes.
What color light is High Pressure Sodium?
Low and High Pressure Sodium lights are well-known for their warm yellow glow (CCT values around 2200K). Although High Pressure Sodium lamps emit visible light across a slightly more broad spectrum than Low Pressure Sodium lamps, they are still very limited.
Can I replace a High Pressure Sodium bulb with LED?
While upgrading to LED provides a lot of benefits, high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps still provide some of the most efficient lighting available. ... LEDs, however, are better able to control their light, which is why a lower-watt LED can replace a higher-watt high pressure sodium bulb.
What are High Pressure Sodium bulbs 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.
Is HPS better than LED?
LEDs are much the same. Though they’re generally more efficient than HPS (with some clocking 2.8 μmol/joule), some LEDs are less efficient than high-quality HPS fixtures, and they give you less light. ... All too often, the μmol/joule rating on HPS products states the lamp efficiency, not the actual product efficiency.
Are metal halide and mercury vapor bulbs interchangeable?
They do not manufacture “mercury vapor” ballasts anymore, so you would use a metal halide ballast and MH or MV lamp. On occasion, pairing a 175 MV lamp with a 150W MH ballast, will work, but will cause the ballast to overclock, and will greatly shorten the life of that ballast and/or lamp.
Why does my high pressure sodium light go on and off?
A high pressure sodium lamp cycling on and off usually indicates the lamp has reached the end of its normal life .
How can you tell if a high pressure sodium bulb is bad?
The most common problem with a high pressure sodium light is the bulb. The first course of action is to simply change the bulb. Observe the interior gas tube for any signs of discoloration . If the tube is black, the bulb is definitely burned out.
How many lumens is a 150 watt high pressure sodium bulb?
150 Watt. 150-watt HPS bulbs provide between 13000 and 16000 lumens of light.
