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wiring 8 separate fluorescent lamps, each with a switch, does each need its own ballast?

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wiring 8 separate fluorescent lamps, each with a switch, does each need its own ballast? Yes Duffy MCP/M.Arch 10-12-2007
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Posted by Yes Duffy MCP/M.Arch on October 12, 2007, 8:50 pm
Hello, I am doing an art installation, and I am going to wire eight 4'
T8 fluorescent fixtures(with bulbs) to a power source. Each bulb will
need its own switch.

Do I get a large ballast that can handle all eight, and then wire the
switches after the ballast??

OR

Do I have to use a separate ballast for EACH bulb, and put the switch
before the ballast?

Thanks SO much for your help!

-My name is Yes Duffy


Radiant Heat 468x60
Posted by Edwin Pawlowski on October 12, 2007, 9:23 pm

> Hello, I am doing an art installation, and I am going to wire eight 4'
> T8 fluorescent fixtures(with bulbs) to a power source. Each bulb will
> need its own switch.
>
> Do I get a large ballast that can handle all eight, and then wire the
> switches after the ballast??
>
> OR
>
> Do I have to use a separate ballast for EACH bulb, and put the switch
> before the ballast?
>
> Thanks SO much for your help!

If you have to ask this question, I don't know that you are qualified to do
the wiring. Keep safe and get professional help.



Posted by on October 12, 2007, 9:36 pm
On Fri, 12 Oct 2007 17:50:12 -0700, "Yes Duffy MCP/M.Arch"

>Hello, I am doing an art installation, and I am going to wire eight 4'
>T8 fluorescent fixtures(with bulbs) to a power source. Each bulb will
>need its own switch.
>
>Do I get a large ballast that can handle all eight, and then wire the
>switches after the ballast??
>
>OR
>
>Do I have to use a separate ballast for EACH bulb, and put the switch
>before the ballast?
>
>Thanks SO much for your help!
>
>-My name is Yes Duffy

You can not switch after the ballast, period.....
You need a separate ballast for each bulb (usually for each TWO bulbs,
or each fixture). Single bulb fixtures seem to be a thing of the past
except for portable or (under 2 foot bulbs).

Do you say "YES" to everything? ? ? ? ?
Will you give me ten million dollars? (Just say "YES") <LOL>


Posted by Smarty on October 12, 2007, 9:41 pm
Yes Duffy,

I've had excellent results with this company and their ballasts, and have
installed 24 of them so far. The ballast below handles 4 tubes of the T8
style, and you could use two of these to handle your project for about $30.
The wiring is quite simple, and the spec sheet is available on the web site.
You switch power to the primary side of the ballasts with a simple single
pole switch, thus turning all 8 tubes on or off.

http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=31&FID=13&level=1

Good luck,

Smarty


> Hello, I am doing an art installation, and I am going to wire eight 4'
> T8 fluorescent fixtures(with bulbs) to a power source. Each bulb will
> need its own switch.
>
> Do I get a large ballast that can handle all eight, and then wire the
> switches after the ballast??
>
> OR
>
> Do I have to use a separate ballast for EACH bulb, and put the switch
> before the ballast?
>
> Thanks SO much for your help!
>
> -My name is Yes Duffy
>



Posted by Smarty on October 12, 2007, 9:45 pm
Forgot to add, if you need to switch each of the 8 tubes independently, you
must use 8 ballasts, and the cost and complexity would increase. Each of the
8 ballasts would again have its' primary (110 volt) input switched with a
single pole switch.

Smarty


> Yes Duffy,
>
> I've had excellent results with this company and their ballasts, and have
> installed 24 of them so far. The ballast below handles 4 tubes of the T8
> style, and you could use two of these to handle your project for about
> $30. The wiring is quite simple, and the spec sheet is available on the
> web site. You switch power to the primary side of the ballasts with a
> simple single pole switch, thus turning all 8 tubes on or off.
>
> http://www.ballastwise.com/item.asp?PID=31&FID=13&level=1
>
> Good luck,
>
> Smarty
>
>
>> Hello, I am doing an art installation, and I am going to wire eight 4'
>> T8 fluorescent fixtures(with bulbs) to a power source. Each bulb will
>> need its own switch.
>>
>> Do I get a large ballast that can handle all eight, and then wire the
>> switches after the ballast??
>>
>> OR
>>
>> Do I have to use a separate ballast for EACH bulb, and put the switch
>> before the ballast?
>>
>> Thanks SO much for your help!
>>
>> -My name is Yes Duffy
>>
>
>



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