Pulse-start metal halide ballast and lamp systems bring a wealth
of benefits to users of high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting.
Prior to the development of pulse-start systems, metal halide
lighting delivered white light at the cost of operational
inefficiencies. For this reason, lamp manufacturers sought to
improve probe-start metal halide lighting by changing its
chemistry and increasing the fill pressure in the lamp arc tube
to increase lumen efficiency. Pulse-start ballast/lamp systems
are an especially useful replacement for high-pressure sodium
(HPS) systems in applications that have high bay ceilings and
require high-quality light in terms of color rendering.
Applications include gymnasiums, recreational facilities,
warehouses, ‘big box’ retail outlets, assembly facilities,
supermarkets, and roadways. Pulse-start metal halide lighting
systems can provide efficiencies that approach those of HPS
systems—superior light output, high lumen maintenance and long
life—but without HPS systems’ hazy yellow ill