High-pressure discharge lamps are characterised by their impressive economy and their ability to produce extremely bright light from such small dimensions.
High-pressure discharge lamps are used mainly in shop windows and shop interiors, factories and outdoor lighting systems.
 
The light is generated directly by an arc discharge. A continuous electrical discharge between the two electrodes causes the various filler materials in the discharge to luminesce. High-pressure discharge lamps also need special control gear to ignite and operate them.