identifying pole lights

[wireperson]

how do you know what kind of ballast kit and lamp do you need for a pole light that is 35 /40 ft high ?

 

[celtic]

You check before putting it up.

 

[Power Tech]

how do you know what kind of ballast kit and lamp do you need for a pole light that is 35 /40 ft high ?

That high may be 1000W or 600W. If you have a telescope....

You just have to check. You may be able to tell with an amp probe at the bottom of the pole.

 

[wireperson]

They look just like these

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/309788/2/istockphoto_309788-stadium-lights.jpg

but not exactly the same.

 

[hurk27]

1500 to 2,000 watt metal halide,
1,000 to 2,000 watt pulse start metal halide.

now how about seing if there is records on site for these fixtures, might be a better way of finding out?

 

[rwade0700]

Sorry to say, but without historic documentation by a previous repair you (or your serviceman) will have to climb those steps or bring in a bucket truck and look at the luminaire info or the ballast info. Don't go by the lamp, sometimes the wrong lamp has been installed.

 

[Power Tech]

If you do have a good pair of optics, you may be able to see a marking.

 

[ultramegabob]

This wont help with your question, but somthing I do when I service light poles is write the type of lamp that the poles take either in the panel cover or on the inside of the timer door.

 

[Cavie]

Street lighting/Parking lights 40' to 50' poles are usually 250W or 400W. High mast lighting 140' for interstate 1000W is common. Mercury Vapor is being phased out. MH and HPS are the favorite.

 

[480sparky]

Try taking a pix with a digital camera and a long (telephoto) lens. You may be able to read an enlarged image.

Bt sadly, sometimes you just gotta go up there.... no two ways about it.