4 Metal Halide Lamp Safety Tips

A metal halide lamp is often recommended for household lighting where bright lighting is needed. Metal halide lamps are often referred to as gas discharge lights. These are essentially High Intensity Discharge or HID lamps that offer greater illumination along with power savings. Metal halide lamps for domestic use are available across a wide range of wattages, shapes and colors. However, people using metal halide lamps need to undertake some basic precautions listed below.

1. Choose the Appropriate Lamp

Metal halide lamps should be chosen carefully. These are retailed using a particular type of classification that underlines the ideal conditions of their usage. The basic classification divides them into:

• Open (O-Type)
• Enclosed (E-Type)
• S-Type (Open type with restricted use)

S-type metal halide lamps are installed in open lighting fixtures and pose a risk of overheating and setting fire among flammable materials. Thus, S-type metal halide lamps should be installed in lighting fixtures that are not surrounded by flammable materials. Similarly, E-type lamps are recommended only for enclosed and recessed lighting fixtures. O-Type metal halide lamps offer safety-of-use for most types of open lighting fixtures. Further, always buy metal halide lamps that have a UV filter.

2. Take Basic Precautions

When lit, metal halide lamps attain very high temperatures, often greater than 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them a serious threat to the safety of children and pets in domestic spaces. Metal halide lamps should be used only in lighting enclosures that are inaccessible to children and pets. Secondly, a metal halide lighting fixture should be vertically raised to ensure that the extremely bright light of the lamp doesn’t damage the eyes. Ideally, these lamps should be used in enclosed lighting fixtures that have an extra glass/plastic casing. This also helps to prevent overheating of any nearby object.

3. Prevent Risks

It is rather rare but metal halide lamps can fail in a violent manner, i.e. the lamps can explode, causing a fire along with dispersing small bits of glass. There are two, simple ways of preventing this hazard. First, buy a branded metal halide lamp since reputed manufacturers offer added safety features. For instance, metal halide lamps recommended for open lighting fixtures have an inbuilt safety feature wherein they self-extinguish upon sudden failure or sparking. Second, rest the lamps for a small period. For instance, lamps used daily for hours, should be switched-off for about 15 minutes after a period of sustained usage to allow the lamp to cool itself.

Further, manufacturers mention the usage limit in terms of duration for which the lamps should be used. Using metal halide lamps beyond this limit is risky. Overused metal halide lamps create the risk of UV light penetration into the surrounding environment through cracks in outer casings of the lamp.

4. Disposing of Metal Halide Lamps

Used metal halide lamps are considered hazardous since they contain mercury. Used metal halide lamps should not be kept in the open or dumped with household garbage. They shouldn’t be buried in garden soil since mercury can seep into the soil. Most state authorities have regulations related to proper disposal of metal halide lamps. Following the environmental and regulatory guidelines is seriously advised. To prevent accidental exposure to mercury, never crush or break a metal halide lamp.