Thorgeon Metal Halide Lamp G12 150W 12500lm 3000K – HID, warm white

What is a metal halide lamp?

A metal halide (MH) lamp is a gas discharge lamp that produces an extremely powerful and consistent light by combining high-pressure mercury with metal halides. This gives the lamp:

• High light output — 12,500 lm from a single lamp
• Warm color temperature — 3000 K (incandescent-like, rare in MH category)
• Moderate color rendering — CRI 70–79
• Small physical size — only Ø22.5 × 100 mm produces 12,500 lm

3000K — a warm shade for large spaces

Most metal halide lamps are produced with cooler shades (4000K, 4200K, 5000K, 6500K), as their gas discharge spectrum naturally produces cooler light. The 3000K warm white MH lamp is a special product, especially suitable for:

• Hotel and restaurant ambient lighting — large lobbies, restaurant halls, foyers
• Clothing stores and interior design shops — warm shades highlight products
• Jewelry stores — natural sparkle of gold and jewelry in warm light
• Vintage atmosphere — in older spotlights where an incandescent-like shade is desired
• Event venues and concert halls — warm ambient lighting

If you need a cooler shade (e.g., for industrial, warehouse, sports field use), check out the 4200K model or our selection of other metal halide lamps.

External ballast and ignitor required

This lamp does not operate directly on mains voltage — it requires an external HID ballast and ignitor. Important notes:

• The internal lamp voltage is 80–100 V, not the same as mains voltage (230 V)
• The ballast must be rated for a 150W metal halide lamp
• An ignitor is required to start the lamp
• Installation requires the expertise of an electrician

Compatible ballasts can be found in the Electrical Supplies → Ballasts/Chokes category.

Warm-up time and restrike cooling

The behavior of HID lamps differs from LED and fluorescent lamps:

• Warm-up time to full power: approximately 1–4 minutes after switching on
• Restrike after power outage: requires 5–20 minutes of cooling — a hot lamp cannot be re-ignited immediately
• During lifetime: color temperature may shift slightly and light level may decrease (typical HID phenomenon)

For this reason, HID lamps are best suited for spaces where lighting is on for long periods and short on/off cycles are not required.

LED alternative — a long-term investment

Metal halide lamps are being phased out as LED technology develops. LED alternatives offer a longer lifespan (LED 50,000–100,000 h vs MH 6,000–15,000 h), lower energy consumption (LED 150–200 lm/W vs MH 83 lm/W), instant full power, and no cooling time for restrike.

However, this Thorgeon metal halide lamp is suitable for maintaining existing HID systems and for applications where LED conversion is not yet possible. Also, explore our selection in the LED Industrial Luminaires category.

Safety notices

• Use the lamp only in a suitable enclosed luminaire — open installation can be dangerous due to UV radiation
• Do not touch a hot lamp
• If the lamp breaks, proceed with caution — it contains a small amount of mercury
• At the end of its life, recycle according to the WEEE directive at an electrical and electronic equipment collection point

Installation checklist

1. Check that the luminaire has a G12 base and is designed for a 150W metal halide lamp
2. Check that an external HID ballast and ignitor are used (150W MH rating)
3. Turn off the power at the main switch
4. Install the lamp — do not touch the glass with your fingers (grease can cause a hot spot)
5. Turn on the power
6. Wait 1–4 minutes to reach full power
7. Check that the lamp is burning steadily without flickering

Also, explore our selection of other metal halide lamps.