HID/Xenon Technology
HID xenon bulbs are quite a recent development in automotive lighting technology. The HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, which refers to the unique way in which the bulbs produce their light. Unlike ordinary halogen headlight bulbs, HID xenon bulbs do not contain a conventional metal filament, so in order to ignite the xenon gas and metal halide within the glass bulb a very high voltage spark is needed which is delivered by two electrodes.
The high voltage that is used to generate the spark is around 20,000 volts, which is considerably higher than a car’s normal 12 volt supply and so a metal box, called a ballast unit, is fitted to help boost the voltage. Once the spark has been generated and the bulb is illuminated the voltage drops down to a steady 85 volts.
The xenon gas belongs to the group of elements known as the noble gases, and is held within a single sealed glass tube above the base of the bulb. When ignited the xenon helps to produce a light that is 300% brighter than halogen, and because the light is also much whiter it more closely resembles natural daylight.
What Is a Xenon/HID Light?
Xenon gas might sound like an otherworldly substance, but it’s found right here in the earth’s atmosphere. You can see it in hospitals, airports, theaters and highways. Xenon lights for personal use, most commonly in automobile headlights, are still a pricey option and remain far outnumbered by the more commonly used halogen bulbs. As technologies improve, the energy savings and visibility improvement offered by xenon lights could someday make them the lights of choice for drivers.
About Xenon
Xenon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in trace amounts of the earth’s atmosphere. It is the 54th element on the periodic table, with the symbol Xe, and is one of six elemental gases known as the noble gases. The noble gases–which also include helium, neon, argon, krypton and radon–all are stable and nonreactive elements because of their chemical structure. Xenon is a heavy gas, and breathing it in causes the voice to lower in pitch, much like the light helium raises the voice’s pitch. While xenon itself is non-toxic, it can cause anesthesia and suffocation when inhaled.