![](../Images/TH Lamps/TH RM Philips Masterline EXN.jpg) |
Despite the fact that Philips was first to develop low voltage halogen spotlamps in the late 1970s, it was one of the last to market with the popular MR16 versions. The company was adamant that the MR16 dichroic concept was over-engineered for spotlighting, and that its cheaper aluminium reflectors were a better solution. By 1986 it was clear that customers had a different view, so Philips introduced a limited range of its own MR16 lamps and for the rest of the decade sourced most of its requirements from Sylvania. However in 1990, Philips made up for a decade of lost time with the launch of this spectacular 'Masterline' lamp - with greatly improved performance vs all MR16 competitors.
At the heart of the lamp is an axial filament for superior optical interaction with the reflector, burning in a quartz capsule of unusually compact dimensions. This smaller and stronger capsule allowed the gas pressure to be increased to 16 bar, over double that of the competition, for longer life and higher efficacy. The reduced volume also enabled the use of costly xenon gas vs the usual krypton for still greater life and efficacy. Performance is further elevated by making the reflector deeper than usual, for greater light collection.
The result was the first MR16 display lamp having achieving 3200K colour temperature for a whiter and brighter light vs competition, with up to 65% increase in luminous intensity. This immediately put Philips Masterline at the peak of the MR16 market. Another unusual feature of the first Masterline lamps is their unusual base consisting of a metal strap around the glass neck. This bears protruberances rather than the usual inward depressions of the GU5.3 base, and was intended to further improve lampholder retention. |