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high-pressure sodium-vapour lamp

instrument
Also known as: HPS lamp

Quick Summary

A high-pressure sodium-vapour (HPS) lamp is a type of electric discharge lamp that uses ionized sodium to produce light. Unlike low-pressure sodium-vapour lamps, which emit a nearly monochrome yellow light and are efficient for street lighting, HPS lamps operate under greater pressure and higher temperatures. This allows them to use a mixture of mercury and sodium in a discharge tube made of translucent alumina, which can withstand the corrosive effects. The result is a whiter light, making HPS lamps suitable for applications requiring bright illumination and the ability to see a full spectrum of colours, such as at road intersections, in tunnels, and at sports stadiums.1

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