|
Posted by RickR on September 28, 2006, 2:14 pm
For you and anyone else with the same problem.
The ballast should state on the lable what kind/number of lamps it can
run!
Some are very "universal" some are not. If it's so old you can't read
the lable, throw it out!
RickR
terry wrote:
> Bennett Price wrote:
> > Is it possible that the fixtures (ballasts) are designed for 277 volts,
> > not 120?
> >
> No they are all 120 V AC 60hz etc. No doubt whatever. In fact the
> fixtures I obtained seem to have been retrofitted with new (electronic)
> ballasts/tubes and some new wiring during the last say ten years? See
> last para.
> .
> Now you've mentioned it I do have some 8 foot 347 volt fixtures. From a
> supermarket that must have had 3 phase system? And to buy replaceent
> 120 volt ballasts for them would be expensive.
>
> Until I got these newer 117 volt ones with electronic ballasts,
> discussed above, I was going to feed the eight footers with a 115 to
> 230 (step up; voltage aiding) transformer. So that 115 + 230 = 345
> volts. The total wattage not counting transformer losses would have
> been about 4 x 160 = 640 with the transformer (I have a couple
> suitable) handling about two thirds of that
>
> It could have been wired in a somewhat standard manner with a
> continuous non switched neutral, a single pole switch in the live 117
> volt lead and red labels on everything to warn future 'electricians' of
> the 345 volts!
>
> It would also be possible to use 230 volts with a step down, but
> voltage aiding transformer; 230 + 115 = 345 volts. But that most likley
> would require two pole switching of the the two 230 volt legs to remove
> all voltage in the 'switch off' state to puzzle future electricians
> even more! In that case the transformer would handle about one third of
> the total wattage.
>
> Any way thanks for the information regarding which tubes to use with
> which ballasts/fixtures. Makes sense.
>
> Some of our schools must have spent large amounts for the installation
> of the electronic ballasts and new tubes! Whether the
> justification/rationale was better illumination or reduced electrical
> consumption???? I know in on case at least they not only installed the
> newer tubes but also shiny reflector strips behind them.
>
> Thanks.
| 
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap