Metal Halide Ballasts have become the most wide used HID source in the last 7 years. Metal Halide Bulbs have a white light that is easier on the eyes than the yellow/orange light emitted by High Pressure Sodium bulbs and HPS ballasts.

The new Energy Act of 2007 have mandated that all new metal halide fixtures starting in Jan. 2009 have to be Pulse Start Metal Halide for products that are 175W and above. Pulse Start metal halide bulbs have many advantages over Standard Metal Halide.

Why is a Metal Halide Ballast Needed?

Metal Halide Ballasts are required to start the metal halide bulbs and need the proper voltage and ballast watts must always be the same as the mh bulb.

There are many uses for metal halide lamps. Aquarium Metal Halide Bulbs produce a bluish spectrum that the coral uses to grow and maintain health. Many stores use PAR Metal Halide Bulbs for merchandise because of the whitish color and they last 5 times longer than halogen bulbs. Commercial properties used Metal Halide Wall Packs and Metal Halide Post Top Fixtures for a clean secure environment at night time.

Technical Information on Metal Halide Ballast
Metal halides need an electrical ballasts to regulate the flow of electricity and make sure the proper voltage gets to the arc. Pulse start metal halide bulbs contain a electrode that is within the metal halide lamp to initiate the arc when the MH Bulb is first turned on. Probe Start metal halide lamps do not need a starting electrode. Probe Start (Pulse Start) use a an ignitor that generates high-voltage pulse to the bulbs electrodes.