Xenon lighting can be easily recognised by its bright blue light. For oncoming traffic it can be experienced as annoying. This is particularly the case with SUVs that are slightly higher up on the wheels so that the light automatically shines from a higher position. Apart from the oncoming traffic, xenon lights have many advantages. On this page we explain how these xenon lights work and what the advantages are.
How does xenon lighting work compared to halogen?
Xenon lights work very differently to halogen lights and can be recognised on the road thanks to the blue tint they give off and because they emit more concentrated light. They use an electric arc. This arc is ignited by high voltage. The ignition is carried out by an electronic ballast with 20,000 volts between two electrodes instead of a filament to produce light, and are often called High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps. When the lamp is ignited, a so-called gas tube is created between the two electrodes of the lamps. When current flows through the electrodes, the gas, or xenon, begins to glow. Xenon gas is used because at lower temperatures it helps to form an arc between the electrodes (and thus create light), but becomes less important when the lamp is at temperature.
The history of xenon lamps
In the 1990s, most cars were equipped with halogen lamps. However, in the higher segment it was also possible to choose xenon lamps. At that time, it was an expensive option. The well-known names from Germany, BMW, Mercedes and Audi often asked more than 2000 guilders for this option. Fortunately, the price decreases as the production numbers increase. This also applies to xenon lights. Nowadays, it comes as standard on some mid-range cars or is included in certain option packages. So it is no longer only available for the highest segment.
Advantages of Xenon lighting
- Service life. Xenon lamps can last up to 10 years
- Xenon lights also consume less power and still provide more light
- Cars with xenon headlights give the car a tighter appearance in the dark
Disadvantages xenon lighting
- If you buy a used car that has xenon lights and is approaching the age of 10 years, good replacement bulbs are quite expensive.
- Nowadays, LED lamps are almost as good and cheaper.
- LED lamps use even less energy.
Difference between xenon and Bi xenon
The difference between Xenon and Bi-Xenon HID headlights is that Xenon lights have one light bulb that can only cover one beam at a time (low, high or fog), whereas Bi-Xenon lights have two beams that cover both low, city and high beam in one light. Naturally, these bulbs are slightly more expensive to buy.
Read more general info on car lights and read more here LED lights.
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