Lamp housings

Because xenon lamps are subjected to high thermal loads and are under high internal pressure, they must only be operated in enclosed housings. Housings should be designed with several safety elements in mind. First, in case of lamp explosion, housings should contain all fragments of the exploded lamp without allowing any elements to escape. Similarly, housings must be designed to provide protection against any UV radiation produced by the lamp. It is also advisable that housings be designed so the arc cannot be viewed directly, thus avoiding the potential for serious eye damage.

To anticipate the forces of thermal expansion, a lamp should be rigid mounted in its housing at one end only. In addition, lamp housings should allow adequate space for the fitting and/or removal of a lamp with the safety cover on, allowing the cover to be removed once the installation or removal is complete. Housings must also be designed with the cooling requirements of the lamp in mind; housings should ensure adequate cooling by allowing forced air through the end fittings and along the lamp envelope. Once the lamp is turned off, the cooling process should continue for several additional minutes within the housing.