Philips 36879-5 C250S50/ALTO

Product Overview

Philips 36879-5 C250S50/ALTO — 250W High Pressure Sodium Lamp, E39 Mogul Base

The Philips 36879-5 C250S50/ALTO is a 250-watt Ceramalux ALTO High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamp from Philips Lighting, designed for outdoor area lighting, street lighting, and industrial high-bay applications. With an E39 Mogul Screw base, BD17 bulb shape, ANSI code S50, and universal burn position, this lamp delivers 30,000 initial lumens and a 24,000-hour rated life. The ALTO designation indicates reduced mercury content. Verify wattage, ANSI code, base type, and ballast compatibility before ordering — HPS lamps require an HPS-rated ballast and ignitor.

Wattage

250W

HPS / HID

Lumens

30,000 lm

Initial Output

Color Temp

2100K

Warm Amber

Base

E39

Mogul Screw

Rated Life

24,000 hrs

Average Life

Technical Specifications

SKU	HLB36879502
Brand	Philips Lighting
Manufacturer Part Number	c250s50alto
Philips Order Code	36879-5
Series	Ceramalux ALTO — High Pressure Sodium
Lamp Type	High Pressure Sodium (HPS) — Ceramalux
Bulb Shape	BD17
Wattage	250W
Initial Lumens	30,000 lm
CRI	21
Color Temperature	2100K Warm Amber
Base Type	E39 Mogul Screw
ANSI Code	S50
Burn / Operating Position	Universal
Rated Average Life	24,000 hours
Max Overall Length (MOL)	9.75"
Bulb Diameter	2.94"
UPC / EAN	46677368791

Product Overview

The Philips 36879-5 C250S50/ALTO is a professional-grade HPS replacement lamp engineered for outdoor and industrial lighting. At 250 watts, it delivers 30,000 initial lumens — strong efficacy for street, parking, and perimeter lighting as well as warehouse and industrial high-bay fixtures. The warm amber 2100K output is characteristic of High Pressure Sodium technology and is well suited for applications where visibility and energy efficiency take priority over color accuracy.

The BD17 bulb shape and E39 Mogul Screw base make this a direct replacement in fixtures previously housing a standard 250W HPS lamp with ANSI code S50. Universal burn position allows installation in any orientation. Maximum overall length is 9.75" with a 2.94" bulb diameter — verify fixture clearance before ordering. The ALTO designation indicates this lamp contains reduced mercury content compared to standard HPS lamps.

Not recommended for: retail displays, color-critical inspection environments, sports venues, or any application requiring CRI above 21.

Compatible Applications

Outdoor area and street lighting — Roadways, parking lots, municipal streetlights, and perimeter security lighting.
Industrial and commercial high-bay — Warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and large indoor/outdoor commercial fixtures.
Retrofit and maintenance replacement — Direct replacement for existing 250W HPS lamps with E39 base and S50 ANSI code. Verify ballast compatibility before ordering.

Before Ordering — Verify

ANSI / Lamp Code: Confirm the existing lamp or equipment manual matches S50.
Wattage: Confirm the fixture is rated for 250W.
Base Type: Confirm the socket matches E39 Mogul Screw.
Ballast Compatibility: This lamp requires an HPS-rated ballast and ignitor. It will not operate on a Metal Halide or Mercury Vapor ballast.
Burn Position: Fixture supports Universal operation — no restriction.
Physical Fit: Confirm BD17 bulb shape, 9.75" MOL, 2.94" diameter, and fixture clearance against the existing lamp or fixture manual.

Safety and Handling Guidelines

Correct Ballast Required: Use only with an HPS-compatible ballast and ignitor rated for this lamp. Using an incompatible ballast can result in lamp failure or fixture damage.
High-Pressure Arc Tube: HPS lamps operate under high internal pressure. Always use appropriate eye protection when handling or replacing lamps. Allow lamps to cool fully before removal.
Warm-Up / Restrike Time: HID lamps require a warm-up period to reach full output. After a power interruption, allow the lamp to cool before restarting — a hot restrike attempt can damage the lamp or ballast.
Approved Fixtures Only: Install only in fixtures rated for the listed lamp type, wattage, and operating position.
Mercury Content: Contains mercury (reduced content — ALTO). Do not dispose of in regular trash. Recycle through an approved lamp recycling program in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Compliance

ALTO designation indicates reduced mercury content per Philips ALTO series standards.
Contains mercury — subject to applicable lamp recycling and disposal regulations. California, Washington, and other states may have mandatory take-back or handling fee requirements.
Verify RoHS compliance status, UL listing, Title 20, and Prop 65 requirements with the Philips manufacturer specification sheet prior to use in regulated installations.