Philips 377242 MHC150/U/MP/4K/ALTO

Product Overview

Philips 377242 MHC150/U/MP/4K/ALTO MasterColor — 150W CMH Lamp, 4000K, CRI 92, E26 Medium Base

The Philips 377242 MHC150/U/MP/4K/ALTO is a 150-watt Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) MasterColor Protected lamp from Philips Lighting, designed for retail display, commercial, and architectural lighting requiring exceptional color quality and long service life. With an E26 Medium Screw base, 4000K cool white color temperature, CRI 92, 12,000 initial lumens, ANSI M102/O or M142/O, and a rated life of 20,000 hours, this lamp delivers superior color rendering and color stability over lamp life. The protected arc (MP/ED17P) design qualifies as O-type — suitable for open or enclosed fixtures. Requires a pulse-start CMH ballast with thermal protection and 4kV socket. Verify ANSI code, wattage, base type, and ballast compatibility before ordering.

Wattage

150W

CMH / MH

Lumens

12,000 lm

Initial Output

Color Temp

4000K

CRI 92

Base

E26

Medium Screw

Rated Life

20,000 hrs

Average Life

Technical Specifications

Brand	Philips Lighting
Series	Philips MasterColor Protected (CMH)
Philips Order Code	377242
Manufacturer Part Number	MHC150UMP4K-ED17P
Lamp Type	Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) — MasterColor Protected, Pulse-Start
Wattage	150W
Initial Lumens	12,000 lm
CRI	92
Color Temperature	4000K Cool White
Base Type	E26 Medium Screw
ANSI Code	M102/O or M142/O
Start Type	Pulse-Start — requires 4kV socket and thermally protected CMH ballast
Burn / Operating Position	Universal
Rated Average Life	20,000 hours
Fixture Compatibility	Open or Enclosed — O-type (MP/ED17P protected arc)
Warm-Up Time	2–5 minutes
Hot Restrike Time	5–12 minutes
Mercury Content	Contains mercury — dispose per local regulations
UPC / EAN	46677377243

Product Overview

The Philips 377242 MHC150/U/MP/4K/ALTO is a premium Ceramic Metal Halide lamp delivering exceptional color quality for commercial and retail lighting applications. CMH ceramic arc tube technology achieves CRI 92 with superior color stability over lamp life — colors remain consistent and accurate from initial operation through the full 20,000-hour rated life, unlike standard Metal Halide lamps that shift significantly as they age.

At 4000K cool white with CRI 92 and 12,000 initial lumens, this lamp is optimally suited for high-end retail display, museum and gallery lighting, architectural interiors, and commercial environments where accurate merchandise color rendering is critical. The protected arc (MP/ED17P) design qualifies this lamp as O-type — making it suitable for both open and enclosed fixture applications, providing flexibility across a wider range of fixture types than standard CMH lamps.

This lamp requires a pulse-start CMH ballast with thermal protection and a 4kV-rated socket. It will not operate on standard probe-start MH ballasts. Confirm the existing ballast is CMH-compatible with ANSI M102/O or M142/O rating before ordering.

Compatible Applications

Retail display and merchandising — CRI 92 delivers accurate, vibrant color rendering for apparel, jewelry, cosmetics, and food retail environments.
Architectural and commercial interior lighting — High-CRI neutral white for offices, lobbies, galleries, and hospitality spaces.
High-bay and area lighting — Long 20,000-hour rated life reduces relamping frequency in commercial facilities.
Retrofit and maintenance replacement — Direct replacement for existing 150W CMH lamps with E26 base and M102/O or M142/O ANSI designation.

Before Ordering — Verify

ANSI Code: Confirm the existing lamp or ballast is rated for M102/O or M142/O (150W pulse-start CMH). This lamp will not operate on probe-start MH, HPS, or standard Metal Halide ballasts.
Ballast Type: Requires a thermally protected CMH pulse-start ballast with a 4kV-rated socket. Verify ballast compatibility before ordering.
Wattage: Confirm the fixture and ballast are rated for 150W.
Base Type: Confirm the socket matches E26 Medium Screw.
Fixture Type: The MP/ED17P O-type design is suitable for open or enclosed fixtures — confirm your fixture is rated for this lamp.

Safety and Handling Guidelines

Thermally Protected CMH Ballast Required: Use only with a pulse-start CMH ballast with thermal protection and 4kV-rated socket. Incorrect ballast type will cause lamp failure or fixture damage.
Allow Warm-Up Time: Allow 2–5 minutes for the lamp to reach full output after starting.
Hot Restrike: After switching off, allow 5–12 minutes for the lamp to cool before restarting.
UV Radiation: This lamp emits UV radiation. Use only in fixtures with UV-protective shielding or in O-type approved applications.
Mercury Content: Contains mercury. Do not dispose of in regular trash. Recycle through an approved lamp recycling program. Visit lamprecycle.org for local options.

Compliance

Contains mercury — subject to applicable lamp recycling and disposal regulations. California, Washington, and other states may have mandatory take-back or handling fee requirements.
ALTO designation — reduced mercury content.
Verify RoHS and Prop 65 compliance with the Philips manufacturer specification sheet prior to use in regulated installations.