How to Test Metal Halide Lamps

Metal halide lamps are used in a number of different applications.

Metal halide lamps are part of the family of high intensity discharge lamps. Sometimes you need to troubleshoot a metal halide lamp though, and this can present a bit of a challenge for those who aren't familiar with electrical applications or with high intensity discharge lighting. Fortunately if you have an electrical tester, or a voltmeter, you can test for the basic necessities that have to be in place for a metal halide lamp to function.

Things You'll Need

• Metal halide lamp
• Metal halide bulb
• Voltmeter

Instructions

1. Examine the packaging for your bulb. Make sure that the ballast required for your lamp and for the bulb are the same. If you don't have the same measurement for both, it can lead to problems, sort of like trying to use a very powerful lamp in a low wattage lamp, or the other way around in some cases.

2. Put the lead from your voltmeter into the socket for the lamp. Turn on the power and take a reading for the lamp. Make sure that the power reading you get is the voltage that the lamp is supposed to be putting out, and that the voltage is what your bulb is supposed to accept.

3. Turn off the power and put the bulb into the socket. Make sure that the bulb is flush in the socket, and that there's no wiggle. Turn on the power and make sure that the lamp turns on and works properly with the new bulb.

References

• Pro Lighting: HID Troubleshooting Guide