A Brief Guide to Understanding Halide Light Bulbs

There are many factors to consider when you’re considering new light bulbs. Metal halide bulbs are high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, which have many advantages over other light bulbs.

However, you should keep a few things in mind before buying them. Read this brief guide to understanding halide light bulbs to learn more.

The Wattage

The first thing you’ll need to know is the wattage of the bulb. Metal halide bulbs are available in a range of wattages, from 50 to 1,000 watts. The wattage determines how much light the bulb produces. The higher the wattage, the more light the bulb will produce.

However, it’s important to note that a higher wattage doesn’t necessarily mean a better bulb. For instance, a 400-watt metal halide LED replacement might actually produce more light than a 1,000-watt metal halide bulb. You’ll need to decide how much light you need and find a metal halide bulb with the appropriate wattage.

The Kelvin Rating

The next thing to consider is the Kelvin rating of the bulb. The Kelvin rating is a measure of the color temperature of the light. Metal halide bulbs are also available in a range of color temperatures, from 2,700K up to 10,000K. The lower the Kelvin rating, the warmer the light will be. The higher the Kelvin rating, the cooler the light will be. So you’ll need to decide what color temperature you want and then find a metal halide bulb with the appropriate Kelvin rating.

The Base Type

Metal halide bulbs are available with either a screw-in or plug-in base. If you’re not sure which type of base you need, check the specifications of the fixture in which you’ll be using the bulb. It should specify which type of base is required. Screw-in bases are the most common, but plug-in bases are becoming more popular.

The Life Expectancy

The final part of this brief guide to understanding halide light bulbs is the life expectancy. Metal halide bulbs have life spans of anywhere from 6,000 to 20,000 hours. In comparison, incandescent bulbs have a life span of only 1,000 hours. You can see that metal halide bulbs last much longer.

Making the switch to metal halide bulbs can be an excellent decision for your business. The last thing you want is to end up with the wrong bulb.

Induction Lighting Fixtures has all the light bulbs you need for your business. Whether you’re looking for a metal halide bulb or any other light bulb, we have you covered. Shop our selection today!