Hid Lights

HID Lights

High Intensity Discharge lights are based on the arc lamp technology. An electric arc between two tungsten electrodes is set inside a gaseous environment, causing there to be a massive amount of visible light. The gas is one of the noble gases. At times lamps also have mercury or other metals or metal salts that add to the overall brightness, making for a more powerful light source.

HID lights are more efficient than incandescent or fluorescent lamps, with a way higher ratio of visible light per unit of power consumed. This technology was first demonstrated in 1705 by Francis Hauksbee.

Uses of HID lights

The most common use of HID lights is in cars, one can often see a younger generation with cars that have extremely bright white lights. This is at times a traffic violation and risk, especially when the lights are set to a high-beam setting.

Aside from this HID lights are used in sports to light up courts or fields. There are also torches which make use of HID lights. It is the light used on many aircrafts as well, for takeoff and taxi.

Degradation over time

As with most kinds of lamps today, HID lights also tend to fade. One sign is that the colour starts to become more and more blue.

In case an HID light breaks open near you, be careful especially if it contains mercury because it can release a vapour that one can inhale.

Comments

The most wear to an HID light happens if it is restarted before it has cooled down and the metallic salts have not yet recrystallised. 

HID lights are available for many different rates depending on the brand and specific use of the light.