What is new with HID bulbs?

WHAT IS NEW WITH HID BULBS?

Effective January 1, 2009 lighting fixtures manufactured for operation of metal halide lamps greater than 150 W but less than 500 W must contain:

Minimum Ballast Efficiency 

• Pulse-start Metal Halide Ballast = 88%
• Magnetic Probe-start Ballast = 94% 
• Electronic Ballast (not pulse-start)  = 90% if <250W or 92% if >250.

Exemptions:

• Fixtures with regulated leg ballasts 
• Fixtures that use electronic ballasts that operate at 480V
• Fixtures rated only for 150 W lamps, for use in wet locations, and contain ballast rated to operate at ambient are temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius.

Mercury vapor ballasts have been discontinued.