Posts Tagged: HID headlight
How HID headlights work and they fail
Learn how HID headlights work and how they fail High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights are commonly used in high end car models because they appear brighter and are more energy efficient than standard halogen headlight bulbs. HID headlights are also referred to as Xenon headlights because they bulb is filled with xenon gas. How HID headlights work An HID bulb is completely different than a traditional light bulb. Instead of using a glowing filament, an HID bulb creates light by generating a high voltage arc between two electrodes. In some … Read More
HID headlight
HID headlight terminology An HID headlight bulb requires much higher current than a Halogen bulb to start the arc and build brightness to a steady state. So there are really three current levels; striking current, run up current and stead state. HID headlight bulbs require AC current, so the ballast not only boots voltage, but also acts as an inverter, changing DC to AC current at around 250 to 450Hz. HID Striking Current The amount of amps and voltage needed to start the arc. During the strike phase, the ballast … Read More