There are many types of light bulbs in the market today from incandescent, fluorescent, mercury vapor and high pressure sodium lamps with each dedicated to produce light. Bulb technology keeps changing and the 100 watt metal halide bulb has proven superior because it generates more lumens per watt as compared to the other sources. Metal halide lamps are versatile, compact in size, efficient, provide better light quality and have a longer life span. They are able to tolerate and work within a wide temperature range. They come in different designs that suit various applications both indoors and outdoors.

Metal halide bulbs consist of an outer casing, with an internal arc tube made of quartz. Inside the arc tube are electrodes which glow to produce light when electric current is passed. The arc tube is normally filled with a noble gas and generates high pressure and temperatures. A 100 watt metal halide bulb would have an average lifespan of 15,000 to over 20,000 hours, several times the lifespan of an ordinary incandescent bulb. It produces white light which provides better visual acuity even at lower light levels.

When compared to other sources of high intensity discharge lamps, 100 watt metal halide bulb will provide more than five times the lumen output of 100 watt incandescent bulbs. Initially, it may be costly to acquire but in the long run it will last longer hence have a lower total operating cost. In comparison to vapor mercury lamps, they produce less lumen per watt and have much lower color rendering index which is the quantitative measure of a light source to reproduce colors of various objects accurately. Lastly, in comparison to fluorescent light sources, a 100 watt metal halide bulb will produce the same light quality as three high rated fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent light is also not easy to direct as light from a metal halide bulb.

A 100 watt metal halide bulb usually generates intense heat and pressure and has occasionally been known to cause fire. Precaution and safety measures thus need to be observed when operating with metal halide lamps from 100 watts to 1000 watts. Incase the outer glass is broken; power should be switched off immediately. This type of exposure can cause skin burns and eye inflammation as a result of shortwave ultraviolet radiations.

Care should also be taken when installing the 100 watt metal halide bulb so as not to locate them directly on sources of heat or flammable objects. Power should be switched off when installing a 100 watt metal halide bulb and a dry cotton cloth should be used to hold the bulbs when they are being removed. Incase there are bulbs which are used continuously throughout the week, 24 hours a day, then there should be a procedure to remove them and allow them to cool at least for 20 minutes before they are returned. All wiring and any form of repair should be done by a licensed and qualified electrician. Finally, it’s important to read comprehensively the manufacturer instructions and guidelines on how to install, operate and troubleshoot the 100 watt metal halide bulb.




Mark Hudson is the author of this article on 1000 watt metal halide bulb. Find more information on 1000 watt metal halide bulb here