Lamps on ballast

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What happens if a 100w MH lamp is put on a 175w MH ballast? And vise versa? Does it matter the tipe of ballast?

Thanks,
 
Ballast does matter unless the bulb is designed for it. A 100 watt metal halide in a 175 watt ballast will be over driven from the ballast letting in more current to the lamp. The bulb will run hotter, produce a warmer light and have a greatly reduced life expectancy. There is also an increased chance of are tube rupture. A 175 watt lamp running at 100 watts will never warm up fully and have a greatly reduced light out put with a greenish light to it. The ballast itself will usually not be bothered by it, but some electronic ballasts can.
 
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