Product Overview
GE 96527 CMH39PAR20 39W Ceramic Metal Halide PAR20 Flood Lamp - 4200K E26
The GE 96527 Pulsearc CMH39PAR20 is a high-efficiency 39W Ceramic Metal Halide PAR20 reflector lamp delivering 1,950 lumens of brilliant 4200K neutral white light with exceptional 90 CRI color rendering. Featuring a standard E26 medium screw base and 25° flood beam spread, this ANSI M130/O rated lamp is ideal for retail displays, museums, hospitality lighting, and architectural accent applications. Offers 4x the efficiency of halogen PAR20 lamps with 2-3x longer life.
Technical Specifications - GE CMH39PAR20
| Manufacturer Part Number | 96527 |
|---|---|
| UPC Code | 043168965279 |
| Product Line | GE Pulsearc ConstantColor CMH |
| Technology | Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) PAR20 |
| Wattage | 39 Watts |
| ANSI Ballast Code | M130/O (Pulse Start) |
| Base Type | E26 Medium Screw (Standard) |
| Color Temperature | 4200K (Neutral White) |
| CRI (Color Rendering Index) | 90 (Excellent Color Accuracy) |
| Initial Lumens | 1,950 lm |
| Center Beam Candlepower (CBCP) | 6,950 cd |
| Beam Angle | 25° Flood |
| Efficacy | 50 Lumens per Watt |
| Rated Life | 10,000 Hours (L70) |
| Burning Position | Universal (Any) |
| Fixture Rating | Open or Enclosed Fixtures |
| Maximum Overall Length (MOL) | 3.6 inches (91mm) |
| Bulb Diameter | 2.5 inches (64mm) - PAR20 |
| Halogen Equivalent | 90W PAR20 Flood |
Required Ballast - ANSI M130/O
⚠️ Important: This lamp requires an ANSI M130/O rated pulse start ballast. Operating with incorrect ballasts will void warranty and cause premature failure.
Compatible Ballast Types:
- Electronic HID Ballasts: M130/O rated for 39W CMH (preferred for maximum life)
- CWA (Constant Wattage Autotransformer): M130/O magnetic ballasts
- HX (High Reactance): M130/O magnetic with pulse start capability
- Compatible Brands: Advance, Sylvania, Universal, Robertson, GE UltraMax
Not compatible with: Standard 39W Metal Halide (M130 alone without /O), HPS ballasts, or incandescent dimmers.
CMH vs Halogen PAR20: Energy Savings Analysis
| Metric | GE CMH39PAR20 | 90W Halogen PAR20 | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wattage | 39W | 90W | 57% reduction |
| Lumen Output | 1,950 lm | 1,200 lm | 63% more light |
| Efficacy | 50 lm/W | 13 lm/W | 285% more efficient |
| CRI (Color Quality) | 90 | 100 | Near-perfect color |
| Average Life | 10,000 hours | 3,000 hours | 3.3x longer |
| Annual Energy Cost* | $17.10 | $39.42 | $22.32/year saved |
| Relamping Labor (10 yrs) | 1 time | 3-4 times | Reduced maintenance |
*Based on 3,000 hours/year operation at $0.15/kWh. Actual savings vary by application.
ROI Note: Despite higher initial cost, the GE CMH39PAR20 saves $33-$260 per lamp over its lifetime through energy and labor savings.
Optimal Applications for CMH39PAR20 25° Flood
Retail & Display
- Merchandise Spotlighting: 90 CRI reveals true fabric and jewelry colors
- Showcase Lighting: 4200K neutral white enhances product appearance without yellow cast
- Art Galleries: Excellent color rendering for paintings and sculptures
- Window Displays: High CBCP (6,950) cuts through ambient light
Hospitality & Commercial
- Hotel Lobbies: Long life reduces ladder climbing in high-ceiling areas
- Restaurant Accent: 25° beam perfect for wall washing and table highlighting
- Museums: UV-filtered ceramic arc tube protects sensitive artifacts
- Office Reception: Neutral 4200K provides alert, professional ambiance
Architectural & Residential
- Track Lighting: PAR20 form factor fits standard track heads
- Recessed Cans: Retrofit for 4-inch downlights
- Landscape Accent: Open fixture rating allows use in uplights (enclosed recommended)
- Security Lighting: Superior color identification vs. sodium vapor
Photometric Specifications
- Beam Spread: 25° Flood (Half-peak spread: 35°)
- Field Angle: Approximately 50° (10% of peak intensity)
- Center Beam Candlepower: 6,950 candela
- Beam Lumens: ~1,365 lumens (70% of total within 25° cone)
- Recommended Mounting Height: 8-15 feet for optimal flood coverage
- Spacing Criteria: 0.8:1 to 1:1 for even wall washing
Design Tip: The 25° flood pattern provides a 4.4-foot diameter pool of light at 10-foot distance, ideal for accenting artwork or merchandise displays.
Compatible Replacements & Equivalents
This GE CMH39PAR20 (96527) replaces or cross-references to:
- Philips CDM-R 35W/942 PAR20 (if M130/O ballasted)
- Osram HQI-R 35W/D PAR20
- Plusrite CMH39PAR20/942/FL25
- Sylvania Metalarc Ceramic PAR20 35W/942
- Any ANSI M130/O rated 39W CMH PAR20
- Halogen Retrofit: Replaces 75W-90W PAR20 flood lamps (with ballast retrofit)
Safety Information & Handling Instructions
? Burn Hazard
- Allow lamp to cool 15 minutes before handling (operates at 800°F+)
- Do not turn on until fully seated in socket
- Do not use excessive force during installation
- Do not use if outer glass is scratched or broken
⚡ Electric Shock Risk
- Turn power off before inspection or installation
- Do not install in locations directly exposed to rain/snow
- Use only in properly grounded fixtures
? Lamp Rupture Warning
- Do not exceed rated voltage (operates on 120-277V ballast systems)
- Keep combustible materials 12+ inches from lamp face
- Use only M130/O rated fused or thermally protected ballast
- Replace after 10,000 hours (risk of end-of-life rupture)
- Do not use if outer glass is damaged (inner arc tube can explode)
Can I use this CMH lamp in a standard screw-in socket?
While the E26 base fits standard medium screw sockets, you cannot screw this directly into a standard household lamp. The GE CMH39PAR20 requires an ANSI M130/O ballast to operate. You need a fixture designed for HID lamps or a mogul-to-medium adapter kit with integrated ballast. Installing without proper ballast will destroy the lamp and create fire/explosion hazards.
Is the outer glass shield required?
Yes. The outer glass envelope is a safety shield that contains the inner ceramic arc tube if rupture occurs. Never operate the lamp if the outer glass is cracked, chipped, or broken. The lamp is rated for open fixtures specifically because this glass shield is intact; damage voids the open-fixture rating.
Why does my CMH lamp take time to reach full brightness?
Like all Metal Halide lamps, the GE CMH39PAR20 requires a warm-up period of 3-5 minutes to reach full output and stable color. This is normal operation as the metal halide salts vaporize in the arc tube. Restrike time (if power is interrupted) is typically 10-15 minutes for hot restart.
