Punishment for xenon in fog lights in 2021

Operating principle and properties of xenon lamps

In xenon lamps, the filament is replaced by two electrodes placed in a sealed glass flask with a mixture of xenon and metal salts. To create an arc discharge between the electrodes, an alternating current of 25 kW with a frequency of up to 400 Hz is required. When it passes through the gas, the ionization of electrons begins, and part of the energy released in this process is converted into light.

To install them in foglights, you need an ignition module, a reflector and lenses. The delivery set also includes headlight washers and auto correctors. This makes the design of headlights quite complex, but eliminates the main drawback - the ability to dazzle. For fog lights, the use of lenses can be considered a disadvantage - they do not allow the flow of light to dissipate.

Pros and cons of xenon

Like any xenon lamp, it has advantages and disadvantages. Car owners value these sources for their powerful flow of light and glow temperature close to daylight (4000-7000 K).

There are other advantages:

• resistance to vibrations due to the absence of a filament;
• low energy consumption (compared to halogen);
• high efficiency;
• long service life (up to 3 thousand hours);
• heat transfer within 7%.

The disadvantages include:

• the need for an ignition unit and a set of high-voltage wires;
• light arc in the shape of the letter “C”;
• instability to voltage surges;
• dependence on external temperature;
• the presence of ultraviolet radiation in the glow, which forms a yellow coating on the plastic elements of the fog lamp;
• a sharp decrease in the efficiency of sources with high light temperatures in poor visibility.

Attention! The problem of the light arc is partially solved in Philips light bulbs. This company also supplies sources with quartz glass protection that blocks ultraviolet radiation.

How to choose a good xenon kit?

The selection of a suitable xenon lighting source for a car should be based on two factors: the popularity and reliability of the manufacturer and the required brightness of the lamps.

What should a xenon kit consist of?

The complete set of gas-discharge bulbs for headlights or fog lights includes:

• lighting sources designed for a certain power and with specific markings;
• ignition device;
• a set of wires and elements for connecting and fixing lamps.

The ignition unit is a module designed to supply a certain amount of voltage required for activation to light sources. More expensive units have a more complex design, which allows them to control a larger number of processes. If the device is of high quality, it will be able to ensure long-term and uninterrupted operation of the light elements. This is due to the fact that when igniting the lamps, the basic technical parameters are observed within the required range.

Xenon marking

The marking of gas-discharge devices can be 5000K, 6000K, etc. This parameter determines the color temperature, that is, the brightness and shade of the light bulb. If the device marking is 4300K, then the light will be whiter and have a yellowish tint. The use of such sources is relevant in PTF and head optics. They are more effective when driving on wet roads.

Devices rated at 5000K have a white emission color. Their power is higher, and the light itself is more pleasant to perceive by the human eye. 6000K bulbs have a blue tint and, as a result of their low light output, are inferior in power to previous options. However, this type of device is more popular among our compatriots. As standard, when producing cars, companies install xenon lamps rated at 4200-5000K.

The AvtoGSM channel in the video unpacked and made a brief overview of the xenon equipment from the manufacturer Show-Mi.

Which xenon is better?

It is not a fact that an expensive set of gas-discharge light bulbs will function efficiently and effectively

When purchasing an ignition unit, it is also recommended to pay attention to the cost

It is necessary to choose a device that matches the technical parameters of the machine. For example, if the car is not equipped with a module for monitoring the voltage of light bulbs, then it makes no sense to buy xenon with a “fake”. This will not affect the quality of his work in any way.

It is not advisable to purchase thin ignition units, called “slim”, if there is a lot of space in the engine compartment for installing a standard device. The cost of such “devices” is higher. And if the block is cheap, then, as a rule, it is made of low-quality materials, and the assembly also leaves much to be desired.

The most popular manufacturers of xenon lamps

Manufacturers of gas-discharge lighting sources that have positively proven themselves among consumers:

The Test Lab channel talked about the nuances that will allow you to distinguish the original Osram xenon from a fake.

Standard xenon installation

In theory, xenon fog lights are installed in the following order:

• receive a permitting expert opinion from a specialized organization (list on the page of the technical regulation department of the website of the Eurasian Economic Commission);
• contact the technical department at the traffic police with an expert opinion and a statement;
• contact a licensed car service center with an application for alteration (filling samples are available at the traffic police) and certificates for all parts;
• undergo a second examination;
• undergo technical inspection;
• visit the traffic police to get a mark in the documents.

When is xenon allowed on a car?

If the headlights are marked “D” (DC, DR and DCR), then installing xenon is allowed. Such lamps have contradictory performance characteristics.

Malyshev Sergey Petrovich

Major of the traffic police special regiment for St. Petersburg

Ask a Question

If a motorist wants to drive his car with impunity with headlights containing xenon bulbs, then he should first contact any traffic police department.

He will submit a special application asking for permission to re-equip the machine - “making a design change.”

Then the car is inspected by specialists - technicians from a state traffic inspection institution. After this, the driver returns to the traffic police department with a conclusion from the experts.

There they will formalize everything properly and give him written permission to install one and a second headlight.

Important! When a motorist has a permit in his hands, then no one can deprive him of the right to drive a car with such lamps in the headlights.

Legality of installation

By law, the new xenon in the PTF can be installed in imported cars in which it is provided by the manufacturer. In any other situation, this is considered a modification to the vehicle's lighting design.

The legislative framework

There are no instructions in the traffic regulations regarding the use of xenon in PTF. According to paragraph 3.4 of the Technical Regulations, which determines the conditions for the approval of vehicles for operation, it is established that only lamps that correspond to their type must be installed in any headlights. According to clause 1.3.8. The flashlight marking must begin with the letter “D”. Cars like this are rare.

Attention! This means that xenon lamps are not required by law for any vehicles, so they cannot be installed.

The main reason is the need for a washer and auto-corrector. The luminous flux of most xenon sources is from 2000 lm, and according to paragraph 1.3.7. According to the technical regulations, these elements are mandatory for them. The washer and corrector can be omitted if the luminous flux is less than 2000 lm.

These are D8S and D6S bulbs with a power of up to 25 watts.

Responsibility for xenon in fog lights

The Code of Administrative Offenses does not separate headlights from foglights, so the punishment should be determined in accordance with paragraph 3.4 of Article 12.5. This is a fine or deprivation of rights for a period of six months to a year. The reason in practice is that the type of glow does not match the color. Most often, fog lights are confiscated.

Theoretically, white, yellow and orange xenon lamps, if they are installed in fog lamps, do not violate the requirements of the Technical Regulations if they do not blink and operate in two mandatory modes: constant and flashing.

Xenon in foglights: which lamps to install

Let us immediately note that when replacing standard lamps with gas-discharge lamps, it is necessary to take into account the features and operating principle of the xenon lamps themselves. It is also necessary to take into account the operating features and intended purpose of the PTFs themselves.

First, the operating principle of xenon lamps is based on the glow of an inert gas (xenon gas) as a result of exposure to an electric arc. The gas is pumped into a glass flask under high pressure. An electric arc is created by high-voltage pulses, which are formed by a special ignition unit.

In this case, the color temperature of xenon lamps may differ. For example, you can find lamps of 4300 K (closer to sunlight 5000 K), 5000 K, 6000 K, etc. In any case, halogens have a temperature no higher than 2800 K. As for the brightness of the glow, xenon has 3200 lm, while halogens only have 1450 lm.

At the same time, it is important to understand that in PTF, even in the case of halogen, the lamps initially are not as powerful and bright as in the headlight. The reason is that the main task of fog lights is not to illuminate the road. For PTF, it is important to shine as low as possible, illuminating the road in front of the car so that the light flux “creeps” along the road and does not rise above 30-50 cm.

1. In practice, this means that to replace halogens in fog lamps, it is important to select xenon lamps that will produce a glow similar to that of a halogen. Based on the glow temperature, it is optimal to choose options around 3800K, which will produce a “yellowish” light. In turn, it is not recommended to install bright and powerful lamps with a white or blue glow. In fog, such lamps are practically useless.
2. We will also add that if there is such a possibility, it is definitely better to install xenon in fog lights in the lens. Installing lenses will allow you to properly adjust the PTF, avoid dazzling other drivers, and also obtain a clear beam of light directed exclusively at the road (without stray flare).

How to communicate with a traffic police inspector if you have xenon installed

If a car with xenon fog lights is stopped by a traffic police officer, you need to:

• ask to present a full ID and copy down the data;
• To stop a car, compelling reasons are required (Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs No. 185), the presence of a xenon bulb can only be determined visually;
• in order to determine the type of light source, it is necessary to open the hood; during an inspection, video recording and 2 witnesses are required (part 1 and part 2 of article 27.9 of the Administrative Code);
• before signing the protocol, in the line “Responsibilities and rights explained,” you should indicate that they were not explained (if this is true);
• in the “explanation” line, indicate “I do not agree with the violation, I require a lawyer.”

Important! A traffic police officer does not have the right to send a car to a parking lot. Stopping for inspection is prohibited in the same places where it is prohibited by traffic regulations.

Main conclusions

If the design of the vehicle does not provide for xenon in foglights, there is no need to rush to install it. These gas discharge lamps require lenses to focus the beam in one direction. This defeats the main purpose of the fog lights. If you install a lamp without lenses, the flow of light will be limited only by the design of the device; it is impossible to set the upper limit. This may lead to an accident due to reduced visibility.

Attention! Yellow xenon is suitable for driving in light fog and cloudy weather. Therefore, manufacturers producing xenon foglights call them additional.

When purchasing xenon, you should not choose products with temperatures exceeding 6000 K. Their light quality is lower. If one headlight fails, you need to install two new ones at once, since the temperature of the old one will not be the same as the new one.

You should not install fog lights yourself. If the kit is incorrectly selected or the slightest error during the installation process, the light flux will be directed incorrectly. If you make a mistake when installing the ignition unit, there is a high probability of a short circuit.

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Why is xenon illegal?

The traffic rules do not directly prohibit the use of such light, and fine for installing xenon , but in 8 cases out of 10 such auto light is illegal: drivers are fined, the equipment is confiscated, their license is deprived, and the vehicle registration is liquidated.

• Visible on the roads, violators are more often identified and punished;
• rarely provided for by manufacturers, which means it is considered an unauthorized change to the design of the car;
• If installed incorrectly, it will blind oncoming traffic;
• does not comply with traffic regulations regarding the permitted color of the glow.