History of Street Lighting in The United States - Fixture Type Identification

Fixture Type Identification

Many streetlights are marked with a NEMA wattage label to aid workers in quickly identifying them. However, the "code" isn't that hard and can be read by anyone for fun, say on a long road trip.

The system is as follows: The color of the sticker indicates the type of light, the number is one tenth of the power in watts. The higher the number, the brighter the light.

There are three exceptions to this rule:

  • A "17" sticker adds a five to the power rating, and therefore, the light is rated at 175 watts.
  • If a sticker reads "X1," it describes a 1000-watt light.
  • If a sticker reads "3," it describes a 35-watt light.
  • Also MH stands for Probe Start Metal Halide, while PSMH stands for Pulse Start Metal halide.

Sticker colors:

  • Blue: Mercury vapor
  • Red: Metal halide
  • Half Red/Half White: Pulse Start Metal halide
  • Yellow: Sodium vapor lamp

Colors vary for new LED street lights such as black for Philips Hadco RX1 and RX2 or Green for BetaLED luminaires. The Induction fixtures usually contain a green and white sticker. Frequently seen power ratings:

  • "3" sticker - 35 watts (HPS/LPS)
  • "4" sticker - 40 watts (Induction)
  • "5" sticker - 50/55 watts (MV/HPS/LPS/PSMH)
  • "7" sticker - 70 watts (HPS/PSMH/MH/LED/Induction)
  • "8" sticker - 80 watts (Induction)
  • "9" sticker - 90 watts (LPS)
  • "10" sticker - 100 watts (MV/MH/PSMH/HPS/Induction)
  • "11" sticker - 110 watts (LED)
  • "13" sticker - 135 watts (LPS)
  • "15" sticker - 150 watts (HPS/PSMH/Induction)
  • "17" sticker - 175 watts (MH/MV)
  • "18" sticker - 180 watts (LPS)
  • "20" sticker - 200 watts (HPS/PSMH)
  • "25" sticker - 250 watts (MV/PSMH/HPS/Induction)
  • "27" sticker - 270 watts (LED)
  • "31" sticker - 310 watts (HPS)
  • "32" sticker - 320 watts (PSMH)
  • "35" sticker - 350 watts (PSMH)
  • "37" sticker - 37 watts (LED) - New - For BetaLED's luminaires in Boston, MA
  • "39" sticker - 39 watts (LED) - New - For BetaLED's luminaires in Boston, MA
  • "40" sticker - 400 watts (MV/PSMH/HPS)
  • "45" sticker - 450 watts (PSMH)
  • "60" sticker - 600 watts (HPS)
  • "70" sticker - 700 watts (MV)
  • "70" sticker - 70 watts (LED)
  • "75" sticker - 750 watts (HPS/PSMH)
  • "X1" sticker - 1000 watts (MV/HPS/PSMH)

Read more about this topic:  History Of Street Lighting In The United States

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