Parking lot lighting

[William C. Griffin]

I have several parking lots that we keep in good repair. One of them, is wired on 208v, 3 ph and we may check this lot twice a year. The other lot is wired on 480 volt, 3 phase, and we go to that lot at least once 3very 90 days. both lots are wired the same with a ground from the panel to each pole. This lot has had fuses added to protect each fixture from shorts from down the line. The fuses has helped but we are getting way to many ballst and lamps with short life. The incoming voltage is within 5 to 7%. The lamp lost is varied across the lot, not necessarily blowing the same fixtures. This lot is maybe five years old.
Can anyone try and give me some ideas as to how to slow down the lamp and ballast lost??

 

[Mr. Bill]

Over 5% voltage drop might be part of the problem. But I think we need more information. What do you consider short lamp life? How long are the lamps on each night. What type of lamps are in these lots? Are the lamps/ballats that fail usually furthest from the power source? Where did you measure the voltage drop? At one fixture or at the furthest fixtures?

 

[William C. Griffin]

parking lot lighting

parking lot lighting

We're in the process of installing surge arrestors on this lot, repairing the lights that are out and see how this does. We have had recorders on this lot and can find nothing as to what is causing the short life on the lamps and ballast. We're talking only a couple of months lamp life and ballast life. This problem has only been reocurring within the last year . The lot is about 6 years old and until last year we have not had this type of problem.

 

[Mr. Bill]

Usually the lamps will last about 5 years in a parking lot. If the lot is 6 years old and the problems started in the last year then it leads me to think that something happen at the first lamp replacement.

This might sounds silly but check to make sure the lamp that was installed matches with the ballast. The ballast should have a label listing one or more lamps that it will operate. There's more info than just wattage. If only the lamp or ballast are pulse start it can cause problems. That's my best guess why both lamps and ballasts are getting fried.

The voltage drop still might be an issue too. Keep me updated.

 

[brian john]

What type of recorder?
Where are you locating the recorder?
How often are the lamps cycled on off?
What is the voltage drop (VD) from no load at the panel to full load at the furthest pole?
Is there high inrush VD associated with start up?
What is the ballast voltage and/or lamp voltage rating?
Taiwan or American ballast?

 

[georgeswe]

Had a similar problem with WAY too many ballast lamp losses even had dmg to lamp sockets. Couldnt figure it out for the life of me. Well after a lil research we found out that the factory install was incorrect on a bunch of fixture head lamp sockets. You see we had PULSE START fixtures and at the time this tech was in its infancy and the lamps we had installed had a "cooling rail" which drew the heat away from the lamp and fixture. Well needless to say the way they were facing they were drawing the heat into the fixture causing multiple problems untill we finally figured it out.

Make sure you look at every possible situation.