Metal halide lamps and LED explosion-proof lamps are commonly used lighting fixtures in gas stations. So, what are the differences in their light-emitting principles? What advantages do LED lamps have compared to traditional metal halide lamps? Below, I have specially organized relevant information for everyone, let's take a look!

Light-emitting principle of metal halide lamps:

Metal halide lamps work on alternating current, generating light through arc discharge in a vapor mixture of mercury and rare metal halides. Metal halide lamps are a third-generation light source made by adding various metal halides to high-pressure mercury lamps. They operate at high temperatures and pressures, with ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Light-emitting principle of LED explosion-proof lamps:

LEDs are solid-state semiconductor devices that can directly convert electricity into light. The heart of an LED is a semiconductor chip, one end of which is attached to a bracket, with one end being the negative electrode and the other connected to the positive electrode of the power supply, encapsulating the entire chip in epoxy resin.

The semiconductor chip consists of two parts: one part is P-type semiconductor, where holes dominate, and the other end is N-type semiconductor, where electrons are predominant. When these two types of semiconductors are connected, they form a "P-N junction" between them.

When current flows through the wire to this chip, electrons are pushed towards the P region, where they recombine with holes, emitting energy in the form of photons, directly converting electrical energy into light. There is minimal light loss, high light efficiency, long lifespan, and no radiation.

LED lamps have the following advantages compared to traditional metal halide lamps:

1. LED lamps are safer: Compared to metal halide lamps, LED light sources generate less heat, making them safer and less likely to produce large amounts of heat or increase indoor temperatures.

LED lamps output a safe voltage of 35V DC, with low current, making them less likely to produce electrical sparks, thus being safer than metal halide lamps.

2. LED lamps are more energy-efficient: Although the price of LED lamps is higher than that of metal halide lamps, when calculated for long-term energy savings, the saved electricity costs can generally cover the price difference of the lamps in about three years.

3. LED lamps have a longer lifespan: The lifespan of ordinary metal halide lamps is about 10,000 hours, and after 10,000-15,000 hours, both the light source and electrical components need to be replaced, with the costs of the light source and electrical components accounting for about 60% of the lamp's cost.

The light-emitting chip of LED lamps has a lifespan of about 50,000 hours, and the electrical components last about 25,000 hours. Maintenance usually only requires replacing the electrical components, which costs only a few dozen yuan. Because of their longer lifespan, maintenance frequency and costs are reduced.