Ballast voltage 180v in my house

[TTwizted]

I’m testing my light because it’s flickering and on 3 of the 4 ends it reads 177v to ground and on the 4 terminal or end it reads 120v. I tested to voltage that comes in and I get 120v. So is the ballast bad? Is that why the voltage is high?


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[ptonsparky]

I’m testing my light because it’s flickering and on 3 of the 4 ends it reads 177v to ground and on the 4 terminal or end it reads 120v. I tested to voltage that comes in and I get 120v. So is the ballast bad? Is that why the voltage is high?


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Florescent lamps require a higher voltage to start.

Have you tried new lamps?

 

[LarryFine]

I strongly suggest removing the ballast wiring and install bypass-type LED tubes.

 

[ptonsparky]

I strongly suggest removing the ballast wiring and install bypass-type LED tubes.

Much better option.

 

[Little Bill]

I’m testing my light because it’s flickering and on 3 of the 4 ends it reads 177v to ground and on the 4 terminal or end it reads 120v. I tested to voltage that comes in and I get 120v. So is the ballast bad? Is that why the voltage is high?


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A ballast is a transformer, it boosts the voltage, you normally can't use a regular meter to check voltages. I'm with the others, change to LED. It's a simple task to bypass the ballast with line voltage direct to the LED tubes.

 

[TTwizted]

Florescent lamps require a higher voltage to start.

Have you tried new lamps?

Yea same issue. Ill cut out the ballast and go LED


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[ggunn]

A ballast is a transformer, it boosts the voltage, you normally can't use a regular meter to check voltages.

Why would a transformer make the voltage not measurable with a regular meter?

 

[Dsg319]

Why would a transformer make the voltage not measurable with a regular meter?

I’m pretty certain with a high impedance meter you will read the high voltages required to start the lamp.

I’m thinking I’ve tested the output of a ballets with a low z meter and it possibly read nominal line voltage.

Can’t remember enough to bet on it. Maybe someone else knows.

 

[kwired]

Why would a transformer make the voltage not measurable with a regular meter?

You should be able to measure it but the ballast can be more than simply a transformer. Starting voltage may need to be higher than operating voltage to establish an arc in the lamp.

A particular lamp needs a certain voltage for proper operation yet ballasts are made for different supply voltages, or the newer ones are electronic and work over a range of voltages and automatically adjust to what incoming voltage may be.

 

[ggunn]

You should be able to measure it but the ballast can be more than simply a transformer. Starting voltage may need to be higher than operating voltage to establish an arc in the lamp.

A particular lamp needs a certain voltage for proper operation yet ballasts are made for different supply voltages, or the newer ones are electronic and work over a range of voltages and automatically adjust to what incoming voltage may be.

I remember old (very old) fluorescent fixtures having a starter. It was an aluminum cylinder a little smaller than a C battery.

 

[kwired]

I remember old (very old) fluorescent fixtures having a starter. It was an aluminum cylinder a little smaller than a C battery.

Those were "preheat" starting method. Would put a current on the filament at the end of the tube to heat it up to help with establishing the arc through the tube. Once arc is established that element no longer needs to run as hot. "Stuck starters" would burn out the filament and the lamp was no longer any good after that.