ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades What about HID's?

Hello everyone,

1. Can anybody show me the diagram of HID circuitry?(I mean how should i connect the capacitor, ignitor, ballast and the bulb).

2. What's the difference between elliptical, tubular and linear bulbs, is there any specific use?

3. Can i switch higher ballast wattage with lower bulb wattage or vice versa? what will be the effect?

4. What if i directly plug the bulb without capacitor or ballast or ignitor, will it blow?
(i dont want to experiment it's quite expensive.)

Thank You in advance!

Hi Text,
By HID lighting I take it you mean High Intensity Discharge lighting.
HID encompasses the following types of lighting:

• Mercury Vapour.
• Sodium Discharge (High and Low Pressure types).
• Metal Halide.

Please bear in mind that some lamps have thier own starting gear inside the lamp itself, (called a Self-Ballasted lamp) and others require a ballast matched to the wattage of the lamp to be used.
There really isn't much difference between the various shapes of lamps, it just depends upon what type of fitting the lamp is being used in.
I wouldn't personally intermix lamps and ballasts of different wattages, the lamp may not like it too much.
Sorry I can't help with any circuit diagrams, but I think Scott35 has some diagrams in the Technical Reference area, if I remember correctly.
One thing I do know is that you need an Ignitor unit on Metal Halide lamps to strike the lamp.
Here's some links to some circuit diagrams in the Tech Ref. area.
First link
Second link
Discussion on HID Ballasts

Hope that this is of some help.

Mike :]

{Message edited to add in links}


[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 10-06-2004).]

Just a small addendum to my original post.
The use of HID lighting is generally only used in areas where constant lighting is required, the likes of warehouses, factories and so forth.
HID lighting has the disadvantage of long starting/warm-up times and cannot be used where instant light is required, the same principle also applies where there is a supply failure, as in the place will be dark until the lamps reheat and strike.
If you'd like more information Text, please ask away.