Sylvania 69408 H38JA-100/DX

The Sylvania H38 100W Mercury Vapor ET23.5 is a coated mercury vapor lamp engineered for commercial and industrial general illumination applications. Delivering 4,000 initial lumens of 4000K output at 45 CRI through an E39 mogul screw base, this ANSI H38 lamp provides a 24,000-hour rated service life with universal burn position and a 130V rated voltage — for use with compatible mercury vapor magnetic ballasts in outdoor area lights, parking lots, industrial high-bays, and street lighting fixtures where mercury vapor technology remains the installed platform.

ADL Supply Expert Application & Replacement Guide

The Sylvania H38 100W Mercury Vapor ET23.5 is primarily specified by electrical contractors and facility maintenance teams performing like-for-like replacement in existing mercury vapor fixture installations — outdoor area lights, parking lot fixtures, industrial high-bay luminaires, and street lighting systems — where the ANSI H38 ballast platform remains in service and replacement of the complete fixture is not yet budgeted. This lamp operates on a compatible mercury vapor magnetic ballast rated for ANSI H38 at 130V — do not install on metal halide, HPS, or any other HID ballast type, as mercury vapor ballasts are specific to the mercury vapor arc tube's electrical characteristics. Horizontal lumen values will be 5–10% lower than vertical lumen values — account for this in maintained illuminance calculations when the fixture is horizontally mounted. This lamp requires up to 15 minutes warm-up time to reach full lumen output from a cold start, and a 3–9 minute hot restrike cool-down interval following any power interruption before the arc can re-ignite. P 

Product Specifications

• Brand: Sylvania (Ledvance)
• Product Line Series: Mercury Vapor Coated ET23.5
• ANSI Code: H38
• Core Technology: Mercury Vapor — Coated ET23.5 Outer Envelope
• Ballast Requirement: Mercury vapor magnetic ballast — ANSI H38 at 130V; MH and HPS ballasts not compatible
• Wattage: 100W
• Rated Voltage: 130V
• Initial Lumens: 4,000 lm
• Mean Lumens: 2,300 lm (measured at 50% of rated life)
• Color Temperature (CCT): 4000K
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): 45
• Base Type Configuration: E39 Mogul Screw
• Bulb Shape: ET23.5 Coated
• Maximum Overall Length (MOL): 7.5 inches (190.5mm)
• Bulb Diameter: 2.95 inches (74.9mm)
• Rated Average Lifespan: 24,000 Hours
• Burn Position: Universal — Any Orientation
• Warm-Up Time: Up to 15 minutes to full output
• Hot Restrike Time: 3–9 minutes cool-down required before re-ignition
• Maximum Base Temperature: 374°F (190°C)
• Maximum Bulb Temperature: 752°F (400°C)
• Fixture Requirement: Confirm with Sylvania specification sheet
• Mercury Content: Contains mercury — recycle per applicable regulations

Operation, Safety & Mounting Compliance

Mercury Vapor Ballast Compatibility, Warm-Up & Hot Restrike

Mercury vapor lamps require a dedicated mercury vapor magnetic ballast — the arc tube's starting and operating electrical characteristics are matched to the mercury vapor ballast's current-limiting and voltage output parameters. Metal halide and HPS ballasts are not electrically compatible and must not be substituted. Allow up to 15 minutes warm-up from cold ignition before the lamp reaches stable full lumen output — mercury vapor lamps have a slower warm-up curve than metal halide. Following any power interruption, the lamp requires a 3–9 minute cool-down period before the arc tube pressure normalizes sufficiently for re-ignition. The maximum base temperature of 374°F (190°C) and bulb temperature of 752°F (400°C) must be accommodated by the fixture's thermal design — verify these limits are within the fixture's rated operating parameters before installation.

EISA Regulatory Status, Mercury Content & Disposal

General service mercury vapor lamps above 40W are restricted from manufacture and import for general lighting service in the United States under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. This lamp is available for replacement service in existing installations — confirm current availability and applicable regulatory status before placing large volume procurement orders. This lamp contains mercury and must be recycled through a certified lamp recycling program — do not discard in standard municipal solid waste. This product cannot be shipped to CA, CO, HI, ME, MN, OR, RI, or VT.

Industry Cross-Reference Data

• GE Lighting: HR100DX38 (equivalent 100W H38 coated mercury vapor ET23.5)
• Philips: H38JA-100/DX (equivalent 100W ANSI H38 mercury vapor coated)
• Osram: HQL 100W E39 (equivalent 100W mercury vapor mogul base)
• Legacy Cross-Reference: Direct replacement for ANSI H38-coded 100W mercury vapor coated ET23.5 lamp positions in outdoor area, parking lot, street, and industrial high-bay mercury vapor fixture installations

Before You Order

Bulk Commercial Lighting Supply & Project Support

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