How HID lighting works

March 13, 2016

  • HID bulbs are filled with a Xenon gas mixture inside a center globe chamber.
  • When turned on, high voltage (42V-85V) is applied to the lower and upper electrodes, which creates an arc inside the globe. 
  • The arc burns inside the Xenon gas-filled globe, and this produces a brighter, whiter light than a halogen bulb.

  • HID lights actually use less power but put out more light than halogen headlights. However, they need very high voltage to ignite the electric arc that provides the light source.
  • An electrical ballast, starter, and shielded cable (for safety) are combined to provide the initial high voltage required.
  • The additional electrical and hardware requirements make Xenon HID lights more expensive than halogens, and so for many years, they were primarily seen on luxury and high performance vehicles.
  • Only vehicles that have HID headlamps can use HID lighting. Vehicles can not switch from halogen to HID technology by simply changing the light source.
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