Products > Metal Halide Lamps
What is a Metal Halide (MH) Lamp ?
Metal Halide lamps produce a whitish light that closely resembles the spectrum of daylight. A MH lamp has a transparent discharge tube filled with a mixture of gas and metal salts of halogens (the conductor.) An electric current vaporizes the conductor causing it to glow, which results in the emission of light and heat.
A current regulating device, commonly known as the ballast, is required to limit and stabilize the current passing through the lamp, greatly reducing the loss of energy in the form of heat. The ballast also prevents overdriving of the lamp, resulting in longer lamp life.
What Makes P.L. Light Systems MH fixtures unique?
- P.L. Light Systems MH fixtures are available in 400W the new 1000W model with two new specially designed 1000W reflectors
- Available in 120, 208, 240, 277, 347, and 480 volts
- Improved collar design for easy assembly and maintenance of all reflectors
- Ventilated aluminum body allows for maximum cooling and increases dependability of internal components
- Compact body reduces the blockage of incoming natural sunlight
- All Metal Halide reflectors include the fitted tempered glass protective covering
- C.S.A. and U.L. approved
- Optional convertible ballast - toggle switch provides t
Each Fixture or Luminaire Consists of...
- A complete extruded aluminum enclosure housing a ballast kit, which includes a ballast, ignitor and a capacitor. The interlocking aluminum pieces are secured together by two punched aluminum plates. The endplate has an opening for the power supply cable to be inserted and secured. The front plate has the lamp mogul socket attached to it along with the specially designed reflector-mounting collar.
- One of seven styles of reflectors, including the new 1000 Watt Maxima, made of high quality, polished and anodized aluminum, secured to the mounting collar using its own unique adapter and locked into place.
Energy Efficiency
About 55% of the light energy of a 400W MH lamp falls in the waveband of 400 - 565nm. The highest radiant energy peaks fall in green and orange wavebands. MH lamps have a wider spectrum than mercury or sodium lamps, because they contain metal salts of halogens, which include fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. They are less energy efficient and have a shorter life-span than HPS. However, compared to lighting with fluorescent tubes, fewer fixtures are required making MH lamps more cost-effective.
When To Use MH Lamps
MH lamps serve a distinct purpose in the scheme of supplemental greenhouse lighting. They can be combined to work in tandem with other light sources, such as HPS lamps, for particular applications such as growth rooms without sunlight where a complete light spectrum is required for balanced plant growth.
Because of the larger portion of blue/violet light in their spectrum, MH lamps limit stem elongation. MH lamps are suitable for (cut flower, potted plants and bedding plants- need specific uses/situations)he option of using either HPS or Metal Halide lamps in 400W/1000W