Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

[junyar]

Has anyone had any problems with changing over the lights in a computer room from magnetic to electronic ballast. We have a large computer room with probably 75 2x2 U-tube fixtures, the plan is to use GE Ultramax ballast for replacement.

Thanks

 

[websparky]

Re: Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

junyar,

From past experience;

Make sure every fixture has a EGC attached.
Make sure, if you are retro-fitting existing fixtures, that the tombstones are in good shape as to hold the new lamps tightly.
Make sure that the existing fixture will hold the new T-8 lamps.

 

[iwire]

Re: Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

Another thing to look for is an "S" on the back of the tombstone.

If the tombstone has an "S" both pins (or sides) of the socket are electrically the same (connected inside the socket)

This is fine for ballasts that have one lead to each socket, but if the ballast has two wires per socket you will need sockets that have separate connections for each side.

I have run into this when retrofitting dimming ballasts into 2 x 4 troughers.

Bob

 

[hbiss]

Re: Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

Have you compared the cost of new fixtures vs the cost of retrofitting new ballasts to the existing ones? When you add everything up including labor and what you will need to do to make the fixture work with the new ballasts and lamps I'll bet new fixtures are cheaper. Unless the fixtures are high end, new ballasts usually cost almost as much as the fixture. Keep in mind also the new energy saving fixtures are designed to maximize the light from energy saving lamps.

 

[Guest]

Re: Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

If you pay End Column for ballasts, the ballasts can cost more than the fixture-- plus the labor. If you can get them cheap enough (less than End Column) it can sometimes be easier to swap out the ballasts-- and more cost-effective. The only thing that can sweeten the pot is PoCo rebates, local sponsorship, or tax credits. Some cities will rebate the whole cost of switching to electronic ballasts-- including labor.

../Wayne

 

[hbiss]

Re: Computer room lights, change from magnetic to electronic

Don't know if it's still around but the local POCO had a "green" program where they would actually replace your lighting fixtures with energy saving ones at no cost.