Replacing ballasts and lamps in existing fixtures

[Alwayslearningelec]

Is this pretty straight forward or can this be a tough/tricky task...oh I see some good comments for this THanks.

 

[jumper]

Height of fixtures, condition of supply wires, bad tombstones, working space clearance, do I get a get a helper, and ballast/bulb disposal and clean up can affect time greatly.

 

[Barndog]

Is this pretty straight forward or can this be a tough/tricky task...oh I see some good comments for this THanks.

Depends on the fixture if you already have the right sockets installed they are changed rather easily. If you install a kit to change them they arent that bad either. But like what was said before Height and access makes alot of differance

 

[stevebea]

Is this pretty straight forward or can this be a tough/tricky task...oh I see some good comments for this THanks.

Seldom straight forward. :happysad: Even changing ballasts and lamps in a warehouse is directly affected by working around equipment and material. But you already knew the answer to this question, right?

 

[cowboyjwc]

Good Saturday or after hours job.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Thanks alot guys.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Both lamps and ballasts require special disposing right? it's not just one or the other right? THere are..PCB's I think, correct? This is for the ballasts I believe.

 

[Fulthrotl]

Both lamps and ballasts require special disposing right? it's not just one or the other right? THere are..PCB's I think, correct? This is for the ballasts I believe.

pcb ballasts are mostly gone by now, but if they aren't, they are hazmat.
t-12's are about the only install where you could find pcb ballasts.

lamps are hazmat. there is a spiffy bulb disposer someone on here has,
and works well. good for t-12 to t-8 conversions.

and changing this stuff out will take longer than you think in an occupied
office..... the light that is halfway over two cubicles with bookshelves under it,
in little cubicles occupied by crabby middle aged women.

think about it.

 

[stevebea]

Both lamps and ballasts require special disposing right? it's not just one or the other right? THere are..PCB's I think, correct? This is for the ballasts I believe.

Ballasts have not been manufactured with PCB fluids since 1979 but considering a mag ballast can easily last 25 years or more there are still some in use. All flourscents and most HID contain some mercury.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

thank

 

[jumper]

lamps are hazmat. there is a spiffy bulb disposer someone on here has,
and works well. good for t-12 to t-8 conversions.

Works like a charm.:thumbsup:

http://www.wastecare.com/Products-S..._Compactors/Lamp_Compactor/Lamp_Compactor.htm

and changing this stuff out will take longer than you think in an occupied
office..... the light that is halfway over two cubicles with bookshelves under it,
in little cubicles occupied by crabby middle aged women.

You met my wife?

 

[Fulthrotl]

Works like a charm.:thumbsup:

http://www.wastecare.com/Products-S..._Compactors/Lamp_Compactor/Lamp_Compactor.htm



You met my wife?

what did that little thing cost you? (the bulb crusher, not the wife)

 

[jumper]

what did that little thing cost you? (the bulb crusher, not the wife)

IIRC between 3000 and 4000 dollars. I worked at a college, so it was economical for us. We bought bulbs by the pallet. It cut our recycling costs by over 50% and freed up storage.

 

[defears]

If it's outside have someone put cones in parking spaces next to bad fixtures the night before. I hate moving the bucket over a new BMW. And finding someone to move it might take an hour.

 

[rcarroll]

If you're under the '11 code, you may have to install disconnects. Check out '11 NEC 410.130(G)(1).
Good luck!