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What is Xenon lighting technology 131
TECHNICAL
Xenon globes use an
electric current passed
through Xenon gas to
produce light, rather
than a filament. Not
only does this method
require minimal electric
current draw compared
to filament lighting, it is
much more robust and
lasts much longer than
the Halogen lamps it is
designed to replace.
Xenon (XGD) lamps are
specialized high pressure
discharge lamps developed
for use in the automotive
industry. Unlike industrial HID
lamp types (MH and HPS) that
require several minutes to warm up
and reach full light output, XGD lamps are
designed to strike immediately and the
associated ballast systems are capable of
restarting them when hot.
The light colour spectrum of XGD lamps is
specifically optimised to provide the best
performance when used in applications
where the user is in a scotopic vision (dark)
adapted condition, whereas most other
lamps are balanced for photopic (daylight)
vision. This is one of the key reasons
why Xenon lighting causes less eye strain
than other globe types, making it a more
convenient and safer night lighting option.
It also reflects off road signs and markings
more brightly.
The XGD technology consists of a very
compact quartz glass arc tube discharge
vessel, filled with Xenon gas and metal
halide salts. In this hybrid system, Xenon
gas provides the instant start aspect while
the metal halide salts contribute the very
high luminous efficacy of a XGD lamp.
The arc tube assembly also contains two
electrodes that protrude into the gas via
special seals, to ensure the system remains
hermetically sealed after many switching
cycles and despite all the vibration the lamp
will be exposed to under normal operating
conditions. The arc tube itself is encased in
a soda lime glass outer jacket to filter out the
ultra-violet generated by the gas discharge.
This is of particular importance, considering
the widespread use of polycarbonate lenses
in automotive lighting. This active part of the
XGD lamp is mounted in one of two basic
lamp holder types: D1/D3 range contains an
integrated ignitor module and suits designs
where space efficiency is very important and
lamp replacement cost is less important,
the D2 range requires an external ignitor
(typically integrated into the ballast) and
suits high duty cycle systems where lamp
replacement occurs on a regular basis.