Technologies > CERAMIC METAL HALIDE LAMPS

Description: All of the major lamp manufacturers offer a range of ceramic metal halide lamps, and they are incorporated in a wide variety of lighting fixtures. Ceramic metal halide lamps are most often found in accent and recessed lighting in retail, commercial and public space applications—wherever a longer-life, higher-efficiency alternative to incandescent and halogen lamps is needed. They can imitate the color quality and size of halogen fixtures but with less energy consumption and three to four times longer life. Ceramic metal halide lamps and fixtures can save about 50 percent of the energy required for halogen lamps in retail applications.

Table 1. Comparison of ceramic meal halide and halogen PAR lamps. Source, GE Lighting, Philips Lighting, 2002

Characteristics: Ceramic metal halide lamps are available in a number of configurations: ED-17 and PAR, with G12, G8.5 and T4 and T6 envelopes gaining in popularity. The lamps are pulse-start and offer long service life, good lumen maintenance and improved re-strike and warm-up times. They are optimized for use with electronic ballasts, although models are available for retrofit of high pressure sodium lamps without the requirement of changing the magnetic ballast.

Table 2. Attributes for the ceramic metal halide lamps offered by major lamp manufacturers.

Disadvantages: The primary tradeoff with this light source is cost; ceramic metal halide equipment carries a premium. Be sure to check out the ceramic metal halide lamps available and compare the costs of each size, as there are some significant differences in cost between types of ceramic metal halide.

See also:

Pulse-Start Metal Halide

HID Electronic Ballasts

Metal Halide Tracklights

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