HID Ballast and Voltage drop

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djtazjr

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Can anyone help/explain for me what the effects voltage drop would have on a HID Ballast of the 277 volt type M57 175 watt lamp?

I have been trying to get this straight in my head but have come across a stump.

If I have 245-250 volts and the ballast and the ballast operates at 277 volt, however, the voltage may drop to as low as 240 volts what happens to the whole HID system?

I tried Advance but any other help is greatly appreciated.

:D
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

I am not a ballast expert but from some of the research I have done, the lower voltage may mean less lumens output from the lamp. However, some ballasts have a +/- 10% rating for the input voltage.
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

That's 9% to 11.5% under the rating (if it's 10%). I'd guess it would probably be ok but I wouldn't be too surprised if you have problems either.

Edit: I left out a word.

If you're gonna do it maybe you can find someone with the manufacture to give you an idea of what to expect.

[ July 05, 2005, 07:45 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

You may have less lumens if it gets that low and also you have a good chance that the ballast will get hotter and may cause a fire. I'm wondering why your 277 volts is getting that lower. I believe you may have a problem with your 480/277 main.
Jim
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

James,

This problem has been going on for the last two years. This place has lost so many capacitors it is crazy.

I believe the problem lays in the service main also but checked things out and the source voltage was even low (A-255 B-265 C-277).

These system is balanced perfectly mind you. The engineer did a great job! I just think it was the installers that fouled up!

Would over heating effect the capacitors life? Especially sense caps. are rated 105 Celsius.
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

I wasn't even thinking of that. that's what's left of 277? That can't be good.
 
Re: HID Ballast and Voltage drop

djtazjr
Am I correct your voltage to your main is 480/277v. What is your actual reading. I'm having the same problem at my factory. About a year ago we were at 484v and approx. 276 to 278v per phase. Now we're at 462v /268v. Found out that the power company didn't put regulators on their primary lines feeding to 2500KVA transformer. Now when power demand is up in our area the voltage will drop down low and this causes problems. Have the power company check the feed to your transformer and the transformer also. Let them know about your problem. This would be a good place to start. Let us know what you come up with.
Jim not James
 
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