Bad Ballast Symptoms for HighBay Light Fixtures

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Eddy Current

Senior Member
What are some symptoms of a bad ballast in highbay fixtures, specifically 320W and 400W. Is one of the symptoms they will go on and off?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
HPS especially, I am not quite as familiar with PSMH but it may cycle at end of life as well.

HPS lamps draw more current as they "age". When this current gets to a level that the ballast can't provide needed current to maintain the arc - the arc is extinguished. After pressure within the arc tube is lowered enough to restrike the arc again (usually just a minute or two) it starts the process all over. At first it may only cycle just once or twice an hour, but as time goes on and the lamp demands more current that cycling turns into every few minutes. This cycling can possibly reduce life of the ignitor as well. Changing the lamp usually fixes cycling problems with HPS.
 
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