On 15 Nov 2003 16:47:13 -0800, (john
private smith) wrote:

hi folks, i have a fixture thats rated for a 175 watt metal halide
bulb, but i am wondering if i may place a metal halide bulb of less
wattage in it, it seems that that would be ok, as long as i didnot go
in the other direction, say installing a higher wattage bulb. it uses
a mogul base, and i have seen 70 watt and 100 and 150 watt bulbs, i
wonder if they will not harm the ballast or themselves,

DO NOT use a lower rated metal halide lamp with your 175 watt metal
halide ballast. The ballast will try to push the rated current for a
175 watt MH lamp through the lower rated lamp and, in most cases, will
overheat the lamp and cause it to explode!

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com