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GE 043168113458 LU50/MED High Pressure Sodium Bulb — main product image
GE

GE 043168113458 LU50/MED High Pressure Sodium Bulb

A 50-watt high pressure sodium bulb with a medium screw base delivering warm, efficient illumination for outdoor fixtures.

$17.76*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The GE LU50/MED is a 50-watt high pressure sodium lamp built for use in outdoor and commercial lighting fixtures equipped with a compatible HPS ballast. It uses a medium screw (E26) base, making it a direct replacement for existing 50W HPS installations in security lights, post-top fixtures, wall packs, and small area lighting. The clear B17 bulb shape allows the arc tube's light output to pass without diffusion, maximizing delivered lumens for the wattage consumed. At a color temperature of 1,900K, it produces the characteristic warm amber glow associated with sodium lighting.

High pressure sodium technology remains one of the most energy-efficient forms of traditional discharge lighting, and the 50-watt rating makes this bulb suitable for smaller-scale outdoor applications where higher-wattage HPS lamps would be excessive. As an HID lamp, it requires an appropriate ballast and ignitor for starting and stable operation, and users should expect a warm-up period of several minutes before the lamp reaches full output. The GE brand offers consistent manufacturing quality, and this bulb is a reliable maintenance replacement for facilities and properties that continue to operate HPS fixture infrastructure.

Specifications

Wattage
50W
Base Type
Medium Screw (E26)
Color Temperature
1,900K
Bulb Shape
B17
Bulb Finish
Clear
Technology
High Pressure Sodium (HID)

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • High pressure sodium technology delivers strong energy efficiency at 50 watts for outdoor area lighting.
  • Medium screw (E26) base fits a wide range of commercial and residential HPS fixtures.
  • Clear B17 bulb shape provides focused, unobstructed light output.
  • HPS technology offers exceptionally long lamp life compared to incandescent alternatives.
  • 1,900K warm color temperature is well-suited for security and street lighting applications.

👎 Cons

  • Requires a dedicated 50W HPS ballast—cannot be used in standard household light sockets.
  • 1,900K color temperature produces a narrow amber spectrum with very poor color rendering.
  • Takes several minutes to reach full brightness after ignition, typical of all HPS lamps.
  • Not dimmable with standard dimmer switches due to HID ballast requirements.
  • Being phased out in many municipalities in favor of LED retrofits, which may limit future replacement availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, like all high pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs, this lamp requires a compatible 50-watt HPS ballast and ignitor to start and regulate the electrical current. It cannot be used in a standard household socket without the proper ballast.
The bulb produces light at 1,900K, which is a warm golden-amber tone characteristic of high pressure sodium lamps. It is not suitable for applications requiring accurate color rendering.
The B17 bulb shape with a clear finish and medium E26 base is commonly used in enclosed outdoor fixtures. Check your fixture's wattage and ballast compatibility to confirm it supports a 50W HPS lamp.
High pressure sodium bulbs are known for long service life. While a specific hour rating is not provided by the manufacturer for this model, 50W HPS lamps typically last in the range of 24,000 hours under normal operating conditions.
No, this is a high-intensity discharge (HID) bulb that requires a dedicated HPS ballast. It is not interchangeable with incandescent, CFL, or LED bulbs in standard fixtures.

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