Category: Questions & Answers

Kelvin temperature refers directly to the color of the light coming out of the lamp. The Kelvin does not change or affect the amount of light (lumens) being released from the bulb, nor does it directly correlated to the Color Rendering Index (CRI) of the bulb. Kelvin temperature simply refers to the color temperature you see when looking at or around the bulb.

Kelvin temperatures typically range from 2700K to 6500K. 2700K would be closest to the orange light seen around a High Pressure Sodium lamp. This type of temperature is considered warm. Consumers might be inclined to think that this temperature has less light (lumens) than a higher kelvin lamp, they would be wrong. The mean lumens out of the fixture will be the same for both temperatures. The only difference would be the color of the light being emitted. The naked human eye might consider that a white light similar to daylight would be brighter, however it is simply more white.

An example of a whiter light would be 6000K which is more to what you would expect from an LED lamp. 6500K would be an even brighter white, bordering on having a bluish hue. In terms of CRI it is true that a 2700K bulb would have lower CRI, but this is because it is falling into such the warm orange spectrum that it is affecting the true rendering of colors you are seeing. The difference, however, between 5000K and 5700K in terms of CRI would be non existent.

In most cases, dark sky compliance refers to three variables.

1. FIXTURE ITSELF: The fixture itself must not release more than 8% of its lighting upward. This means that the fixture whole on can not shoot more than 8% of its light upward to the sky.
2. MOUNTING: The way the the fixture is mounted is crucial. The fixture itself must be mounted so that it faces downward directly with no tilt or rotation. The Fixture should mounted perpendicularly to the service at a 90 degree angle.
3. NO TILT OPTION: The fixture must be mounted in such a way that it has no option to tilt. This means the mounting must be a flem or something similar. Slip fitters will not truly satisfy most dark sky compliance ordinances because it has the option or ability to be tilted or adjusted.

As with all ordinances, these standards will vary by state or province and all ordinances should checked with locally before installing lights.

Pulse Start vs. Metal Halide is truly a difference of ballasts. Traditional probe-start metal halide lamps do not use an igniter and require three electrical contacts to ignite the gas and remain lit. Newer pulse-start metal halide lamps use only two contacts and use an igniter located inside
the ballast pod. The benefits are numerous.

• Longer Life – Up to 50% longer life reducing maintenance & replacement cost
• Higher Efficacy – As much as 24% more lumens per watt saving energy and money
• Rapid Restrike Time – Less than half the time to re-light when shut down
• Better Color Rendition – Superior and more stable color rendering as lamps age
• Less Color Variance – Lamps throughout the area appear to be the same color
• Quick Startup – Full brightness in 2 to 4 minutes instead of 5 to 10 minutes
• Superior Lumen Maintenance – About 14% less lumen depreciation means more light