Lighting System Basics: HID

Many types of artificial lighting methods are used around the world to provide adequate
interior and exterior light, as well as to provide an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere for a
variety of spaces. Lighting methods are usually determined after consideration of multiple
factors including cost, required light level, color of light, energy consumption, identity of the
space, and the desired effect of the lighting.

With the advancements in lamp technology, the potential use of various lighting systems has
grown tremendously. Lights used traditionally for large open outdoor areas, such as high
intensity discharge lamps, can now be found in applications commonly reserved for
fluorescent or incandescent lighting. This broadened range of applications continues to grow
with improvements in color temperature and color rendering properties.

High Intensity Discharge Lights

Typically used for lighting parking lots, stadiums, roadways, industrial facilities, and building
atriums, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps are now being used indoors to light offices,
auditoriums, and grocery stores. This use of HID lamps is beneficial because they can
illuminate an equivalent area to a desired lighting level using less energy and fewer fixtures
than possible with fluorescent or incandescent sources. Plus, the life of an HID lamp is greater
than an incandescent and in most cases equal to or greater than most fluorescent.

The HID lamp family can be divided into three categories based on the types of gases used to
produce light: mercury vapor, metal halide, and high-pressure sodium. All three types produce
light in a similar way by exciting gases in a sealed arc tube. The results are somewhat different,
however, with light being produced at varying intensities, colors, and temperatures.

Mercury Vapor Lamps

Mercury vapor lamps produce light by sending electrical current through a mixture of mercury
and argon gas contained in an inner arc tube. The argon gas ignites the arc across the
electrodes located at opposite ends of the tube. An outer bulb surrounding the arc gives the
mercury vapor lamp its shape and protects the inner arc tube from changes in temperature.
The bulb also provides a surface to add color correcting phosphors which act as a filter to
remove certain wavelengths of light. The greenish-blue light emitted from this type of lamp
distorts colors in a manner which emphasizes yellow, green, and blue and makes red and
orange appear brown. Luminous efficacies, measured in lumens per watt (lm/W), range from
30 to 65.

Metal Halide Lamps

Light is produced in metal halide lamps by sending an electrical current through a mixture of
mercury gas, argon gas, and metal halides contained within an inner arc tube. The
combination of certain metal halides in the arc tube results in the color temperature of the
emitted light. The two most common combinations of halides are, 1) scandium and sodium
iodides, and 2) dysprosium, holmium, and thulium iodides. The addition of metal halides in the

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 arc tube increases the range of efficacies to include 75 to 175 lm/W. This type of lamp offers a
broad range of color temperatures and a high color rendering. The color of objects under this
light are closer to their true colors than objects viewed in mercury vapor lamps or high
pressure sodium lamps.

High Pressure Sodium Lamps

High pressure sodium lamps produce light by sending an electrical current through sodium
vapor and xenon contained within an inner arc tube. In this lamp, the xenon ignites the arc
across the electrodes. Standard high pressure sodium lamps have a luminous efficacy range of
45 to 150 lm/W. Unfortunately, the standard lamps also have the poorest color temperature
and color rendering properties of the three lamp types. The light from the high pressure
sodium lamp will appear yellow in color and all colors of objects under the lamps, except
yellow, will appear dull and brown.

A high pressure sodium lamp with corrected color temperatures and color rendering, known
as the "white" high pressure sodium lamp, is available. However, the "white" lamps sacrifice
luminous efficacy as a result of improving color temperature and rendering properties.

Operation

Unlike an incandescent lamp, high intensity discharge lamps can not operate alone. They
require a ballast to start and regulate the voltage to the lamp similar to the way a ballast
operates a fluorescent lamp. The mercury vapor lamp ballast starts the lamps with a low initial
voltage across the electrodes and, as the lamp warms, the voltage rises until the lamp
stabilizes. The metal halide lamp ballast starts the lamp by supplying a high voltage pulse
across the electrodes. The high-pressure sodium ballast sends a high voltage and high
frequency pulse across the electrodes to start the lamp.

HID lamps do not reach full output instantly. Mercury vapor lamps require 3 to 7 minutes,
metal halide lamps require 2 to 10 minutes, and high-pressure sodium lamps require 7 to 10
minutes to reach maximum output. If power to the lamps is interrupted, the lamps must cool
before they re-strike. This process could take an additional 15 minutes, depending on the type
of lamp and temperature conditions.

Considerations

Even with the improvements in their technology, HID lamps are not appropriate for all
applications. When considering the use of an HID lamp, many factors must be evaluated.
While HID lamps may be more energy and cost efficient, and usually last longer than other
lamps, they have their drawbacks. Light emitted from HID lamps tends to change color over
the life of the lamp, with lamps in the same area changing at different rates. This can cause
the space to appear as if it were being lit by different sources. In addition, most HID lamps
have recommended burning positions that require them to be mounted horizontally,
vertically, or within a few degrees of those positions. Lamps positioned different from
optimum can affect light output and lamp life.

© JDB Engineering, Inc. | York, PA & Hunt Valley, MD | Engineering the Built Environment to Sustain the Natural Environment
 The time required for initial startup and re-striking may cause problems in situations where
light is needed immediately. When applicable, dimming of an HID lamp can be costly and the
range of dimming limited. Similar to startup and re-striking, the dimming effect will not be
instantaneous.

When considering the use of any lamp for interior and/or exterior applications, the following
factors should be considered: advantages/disadvantages for each lamp type; the size and use
of the area or space that is being lit; the contents of the space; design goals; and the desired
architectural effect. Always consult a designer if you have questions.

JDB Engineering, Inc.

www.jdbengineering.com

3687 Concord Road

York, PA 17402

120 Cockeysville Road #101

Hunt Valley, MD 21030

PA: 717.757.5602
MD: 410.771.3433

© JDB Engineering, Inc. | York, PA & Hunt Valley, MD | Engineering the Built Environment to Sustain the Natural Environment