Best 250W High Pressure Sodium Lamps for Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor illumination often relies on 250W high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps for long-life, efficient brightness. This guide highlights five reliable options that fit mogul E39 bases and ANSI S50 or ET18 configurations, offering strong lumen output and durable operation for street lights, parking lots, and perimeter lighting. Each entry includes key specs and compatibility notes to help you choose the right bulb for your fixture and ballast.
| Product | Brand | Watt | Base | Lumens | Life Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunlite 03634-SU LU250/MOG | Sunlite | 250W | E39 Mogul | 28,000 | 24,000 |
| Sylvania 67578 LU250/ECO | SYLVANIA | 250W | E39 Mogul | 29,000 | ≈24,000 |
| Satco S1940 | Satco | 250W | ET18 Mogul | Not Specified | Not Specified |
| GE 26430 LUCALOX HID | GE | 250W | E39 Mogul | Not Specified | 24,000 |
| Osram Sylvania GIDDS-685675 | OSRAM | 250W | E39 Mogul | Not Specified | ≈30,000 |
The following selections emphasize reliability, fit, and performance for common outdoor lighting applications. Each product section provides a concise overview of its strengths and compatibility notes to help you choose a bulb that delivers the right brightness, color, and life in your fixtures.
Sunlite 250W High Pressure Sodium Lamp, Mogul Base
The Sunlite LU250/MOG is a high-pressure sodium bulb designed for standard ED18/MOGUL style fixtures. It delivers a bright 28,000 lumens of light with a 2100K color temperature in a clear glass envelope, offering strong nighttime visibility for parking lots and street lighting. The bulb uses a Mogul E39 base, matching many commercial fixtures and street luminaires. Its long life helps reduce maintenance cycles in demanding outdoor applications. The 2.4-inch by 9.5-inch form factor fits a wide range of outdoor lamp housings.
Key considerations: compatibility with typical ANSI S50 ballasts, outdoor rated performance, and adequate lumen output for perimeter lighting. This bulb is suitable when you need high brightness and a proven track record in outdoor HID installations. When replacing, verify ballast type and fixture compatibility to ensure consistent operation and color output.
GRUOTVSZAK LU250/MOG 30000 Lumen 250W HPS
The GRUOTVSZAK LU250/MOG provides enhanced brightness with an estimated 30,000 lumens output under ideal conditions. It uses a Mogul E39 base and is designed for ANSI S50 ballast compatibility. The ET18 clear bulb profile supports high-intensity outdoor lighting needs, including street and parking areas. With over 24,000 hours of rated life, it offers solid long-term performance for fixtures that require frequent operation and high lumen maintenance. Verify ballast compatibility and fixture housing to optimize color and illumination spread.
Satco S1940 250-Watt Clear HPS Lamp
The Satco S1940 is a 250W clear Mogul base HPS lamp, designed for ET18-compatible fixtures. It maintains robust outdoor lighting performance with a compact form factor, measuring about 9.63 inches in length and 2.25 inches in width. While the listing specifies its style as Mogul, the exact lumen and life figures are not always published, so it is best suited for fixtures where brightness is the primary concern and ballast compatibility has been confirmed.
Sylvania 67578 LU250/ECO 250W HPS
The Sylvania 67578 LU250/ECO is a 250W HPS lamp with an E39 Mogul base, designed to deliver high intensity illumination. Its initial lumens are listed around 29,000, with mean lumens in the mid-20,000s, reflecting typical lumen depreciation over time. This bulb uses the ET18/Mogul format and is a common choice for outdoor fixtures like streetlights and parking-lot luminaires. When selecting, ensure ballast compatibility and verify that the aperture and fixture dimensions accommodate the Mogul base and bulb length.
GE 26430 LUCALOX 250W HPS
The GE 26430 LUCALOX HID bulb provides a 250W output with a Mogul base, offering robust outdoor lighting performance. The LUCALOX line is known for stable color and reliable operation in HID systems. With a rated life near 24,000 hours, it offers good maintenance intervals for street and area lighting. As always, confirm ballast compatibility and confirm that the fixture’s reflector and housing are suitable for 250W SOD/ET18 configurations to maximize efficiency and uniformity of illumination.
Osram Sylvania GIDDS-685675 HPS Lamp
The Osram Sylvania GIDDS-685675 is an HPS lamp offering a long average rated life—up to 30,000 hours—along with clear glass and E39 Mogul base. This lamp is well-suited for outdoor luminaires requiring high brightness and longevity. It aligns with standard 250W HPS specifications and is commonly paired with compatible ballasts in outdoor fixtures. For optimal performance, verify fixture compatibility, ballast type, and any dimming or control strategies used in the installation.
Buying Guide: Key Purchase Considerations
- Base and form factor: Most 250W HPS bulbs use the Mogul E39 base (MOG), with ET18 or ED18 glass shapes. Confirm fixture socket type, ballast compatibility, and whether the housing requires a longer bulb profile.
- Lumen output and color temperature: Typical outputs range from about 28,000 to 30,000 lumens, with color temperatures around 2100K for low-wattage displacement. Higher brightness improves visibility, but color can appear amber-orange; match color output to application needs (security, safety, aesthetics).
- Ballast compatibility: Ensure the ballast code (ANSI) matches the lamp’s design, such as S50 or ET18. Mismatches can reduce light quality and shorten lamp life. Some lamps are designed to be ballast compatible across a range; others require a specific ballast type.
- Lifetime and maintenance: Rated life typically ranges from 20,000 to 30,000 hours. Longer life reduces maintenance frequency in large outdoor installations but may impact lumen maintenance over time. Consider replacement intervals when budgeting for maintenance crews.
- Environmental suitability: Outdoor fixtures face temperature swings, dust, and moisture. Choose bulbs with robust construction and suitability for exterior use, and ensure fixtures are rated for outdoor operation.
- Fixture compatibility: Verify the fixture’s reflector geometry and housing clearance to ensure full beam spread and avoid glare or shielded zones. Some assemblies may require a specific length or shape (ET18 vs ED18) to maintain lighting uniformity.
- Safety and handling: HPS bulbs can be hot and fragile. Handle with care during replacement, power off fixtures, and dispose of old bulbs according to local regulations.
- Cost considerations: While prices are not listed here, consider total cost of ownership, including energy efficiency, maintenance intervals, and ballast compatibility. In some cases, upgrading to newer HID or LED solutions could offer long-term savings.
Overall, selecting a 250W HPS lamp involves balancing brightness, life expectancy, and fixture compatibility. The products listed here are common options that align with Mogul-base outdoor luminaires, providing solid performance for parking areas, streets, and perimeter lighting. Always cross-check ballast codes, fixture dimensions, and the specific lighting goals of your installation before purchasing.