Technical Foundation
What Is a HID Lamps and Bulb?
High-intensity discharge (HID) lamps produce light by striking an electric arc between two electrodes inside a pressurized gas-filled arc tube, rather than heating a filament (incandescent) or driving current through a semiconductor (LED). The three common industrial types differ by arc tube fill: metal halide uses mercury vapor plus metal halide additives for a broad, near-white spectrum; high-pressure sodium uses sodium vapor for high efficacy but a yellow-orange color; and mercury vapor, the oldest type, produces a bluish-white light at lower efficacy and has been phased out in most new installations.
Every HID lamp requires a matched ballast to regulate arc current and, for most types, an ignitor to provide the high-voltage pulse needed to strike the arc — a lamp cannot run directly off line voltage. Lamps are also not instant-on or instant-restrike: after power interruption, an HID lamp must cool for several minutes before the arc will re-strike, a characteristic that distinguishes HID from LED replacements in retrofit decisions.
Prefer a quick quote?
Get HID Lamps and Bulbs Pricing in Your Inbox
Skip the search — tell us the lamp type, wattage and base style and we will come back with pricing.
| Spec | What It Means | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Lamp Type | Metal halide, high-pressure sodium, mercury vapor | Determines color spectrum, efficacy (lumens/watt) and typical application |
| Wattage | Common ratings 70W to 1500W | Must match the fixture's ballast rating — a mismatched wattage lamp will not operate correctly or safely |
| Base Type | Mogul (E39), medium (E26), bi-pin | Base must physically and electrically match the fixture socket |
| Ballast Compatibility | Probe-start vs. pulse-start metal halide | Pulse-start requires an ignitor and different ballast; not interchangeable with probe-start fixtures |
| Color Temperature (CCT) | 3000K-4200K typical for metal halide | Affects color rendering for the application — warmer for retail, cooler for industrial/security |
Shop HID Lamps and Bulbs
Browse HID Lamps and Bulbs Sub-Categories
Organised by lamp type. Pick a sub-category, or describe the fixture wattage and base and let ChatMRO match the lamp.
How it works
From Half-Remembered Part Number to PO, in Three Steps.
Ask
Type an MPN, paste a spec sheet, or describe the part in plain English. ChatMRO understands engineer-speak.
Compare
Side-by-side specs, cross-references, and equivalents from multiple sources — without the clutter of endless browser tabs.
Quote & Buy
Request a quote or add to cart. Volume discounts, VAT-aware pricing, and consolidated procurement — all in one place.
Applications
Where HID Lamps and Bulbs Get Used
HID lamps remain in service anywhere a facility hasn't yet converted a high-bay, roadway or area fixture to LED, and replacement lamps keep existing fixtures running.
Warehouse & High-Bay Industrial Lighting
Metal halide and pulse-start fixtures providing broad-spectrum, high-lumen illumination over large warehouse floor areas.
Street & Roadway Lighting
High-pressure sodium lamps historically standard for municipal street lighting due to high efficacy per watt.
Sports Field & Stadium Lighting
High-wattage metal halide lamps delivering the color rendering and output needed for televised and spectator sports.
Parking Lot & Security Lighting
HPS and metal halide fixtures providing area lighting for parking structures and perimeter security.
Greenhouse & Horticultural Lighting
High-pressure sodium lamps used to supplement natural light for plant growth in commercial greenhouse operations.
Manufacturing Floor Lighting
Metal halide high-bay fixtures in factories and processing plants requiring consistent, high-output overhead lighting.
FAQ
HID Lamps and Bulbs Questions, Answered
What's the difference between metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and mercury vapor lamps?
Metal halide lamps produce a broad, near-white light spectrum with good color rendering, making them the standard choice where accurate color matters, such as retail or sports lighting. High-pressure sodium lamps produce a yellow-orange light with poor color rendering but higher efficacy (more lumens per watt), historically making them the default for street and area lighting where color accuracy is less important than energy efficiency. Mercury vapor lamps are the oldest and least efficient of the three, producing a bluish light, and have largely been phased out of new installations in favor of metal halide or LED.
Can I put any wattage HID lamp in my fixture?
No — the lamp wattage must match the ballast's rated wattage exactly. Installing a lamp with a different wattage than the ballast is designed for can cause the lamp to fail prematurely, operate at reduced output, or in some cases create a safety hazard from the mismatch between ballast output and lamp requirements.
What's the difference between probe-start and pulse-start metal halide lamps?
Probe-start metal halide lamps use a third internal electrode to strike the arc and work with older, simpler ballasts, but they're less efficient and have a shorter lamp life. Pulse-start metal halide lamps use an external ignitor to deliver a high-voltage pulse that strikes the arc without a third electrode, giving faster starting, better efficacy, and longer lamp life — but they require a pulse-start-compatible ballast and ignitor, and are not interchangeable with probe-start fixtures without replacing the ballast.
Why doesn't my HID lamp turn back on immediately after a power blip?
HID lamps need the arc tube to cool down and internal gas pressure to drop before the arc can re-strike, which typically takes several minutes to restart even briefly after losing power — unlike LED or incandescent lighting, which restarts instantly. This restrike delay is a known characteristic of HID technology, not a sign of a failing lamp or ballast, though it does become slower as a lamp ages.
Should I replace HID fixtures with LED instead of buying replacement lamps?
Many facilities are converting high-bay and area lighting to LED for lower energy use, longer lamp life, and instant-on/instant-restrike operation, but replacement HID lamps remain the practical near-term option for fixtures not yet scheduled for retrofit, since converting requires either an LED retrofit kit or full fixture replacement rather than a simple lamp swap. The right choice depends on the facility's retrofit timeline and capital budget, not just lamp availability.
Keep browsing
Related Categories
Find Your Next Part Now.
Describe a part number, spec or what it does.