What does the s Mean on a HID lamp?
This makes replacing lamps in the HID family streamlined and easy. The S in the above code denotes the lamp as a high pressure sodium. And the 54 tells you the ballast match. If you find a ballast or a fixture with the same ANSI code (S54), it’s a guaranteed match.
What kind of circuit does a HID lamp need?
HID lamps need a circuit to control the current flowing through them, often called a ballast. This circuit must limit the lamp current to a safe maximum value to prevent its destruction. Traditional ballasts come with many disadvantages such as low power factor, bulky capacitors and large size.
Why are high intensity discharge lamps used in cars?
Beginning in the early 1990s, HID lamps have seen applications in automotive headlamps. Xenon, or high-intensity discharge (HID), lighting provides brighter headlights and increases visibility of many peripheral objects (e.g. street signs and pedestrians) left in the shadows by standard halogen lighting.
What does the Code 54 mean on a HID lamp?
The nice part about HID lamps is that each lamp has its own ANSI code. The code will tell you exactly what ballast the lamp requires and any fixture requirements. This makes replacing lamps in the HID family streamlined and easy. The S in the above code denotes the lamp as a high pressure sodium. And the 54 tells you the ballast match.
What does hid stand for in headlight bulbs?
How HID Headlight Bulbs Work. HID stands for high intensity discharge, which is a description of the way the bulbs generate light. Light is generated when an electrical discharge is sent through an ionised gas.
What kind of base does a HID lamp have?
Most HID lamps have either a medium or mogul base. Some ceramic metal halides also come in a pin base. Mogul bases are always assumed in the part number. If it is a medium base you’ll see one of the abbreviations below:
What should the wattage of a HID lamp be?
It’s not uncommon to see HID lamp wattages reach 1,000. This wattage can give you an idea of what type of base the HID lamp needs. For example, most of the time, anything below 150 watts has a medium base. And anything above 300 watts typically has a mogul base.
How are HID bulbs integrated into the car?
The ballast is able to balance the system accordingly. In cars that come with HID bulbs, the ballast is integrated into the cars electronics already.