Re: Safety of mismatching HID lamps and ballast
- From: "TKM" <nomail@xxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 13:50:43 GMT
<bobby8723498.nospam@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1182916100.267931.4150@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Isn't there usually a BOLD warning label on HID lamp sleeves that say
something like "Use only with proper circuits and auxiliary equipment"
or "Match ANSI lamp code to ballast" ect... Warning people NOT to
mismatch lamps and ballast? But why is someone on YouTube posting a
video making it look like this is the right or "OK" thing to do? A so-
called "experiment"
http://tinyurl.com/25eks5
I am a electrician and a safety fire inspector and I like to here
opinions about this because I see people mismatch HID and fluorescent
lamps and ballast all the time. As a fire inspector a usually I would
have to dig through the ashes of what used to be a full standing house
or building to find out which light fixture cause the fire :(
I say this is about as dangerous as the infamous "pole transformer
experiment" video that is on that site as well...
BTW; what are mercury to HPS conversion lamps used for? huh? (sarcasm)
Regards, Bobby
So, is the message in the video that we should bring back "the old lamp
lighter" to go around and fire up HPS lamps with barbeque igniters each
evening? ;)
The rules haven't changed.
- Only HID lamps that are listed on the ballast label should be used with a
particular ballast. They are the only lamp/ballast combinations that are
listed as safe (UL or CSA in N.A.). Maybe insurance companies need to be
more agressive about paying claims if fires can be traced to unlisted
lamp/ballast combinations.
- Mismatching lamps and ballasts can often result in combinations that light
up; but that doesn't mean that the combination is safe or won't harm either
the lamp or the ballast after warm-up or some burning hours. HID lamps are
rugged and forgiving; but they are sensitive to overcurrent, improper
current wave forms (current crest factor), improper starting pulses and
other abuse.
-Manufacturers won't warranty products from mismatched systems.
-HID and fluorescent lamps are likely to fail violently if they are started
and operated on ballasts that deliver more than rated power to the lamp.
Since discharge lamp ballasts are current sources, they try to operate any
lamp connected to them at the ballast's rated current no matter what the
lamp can handle.
Terry McGowan
.
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- Safety of mismatching HID lamps and ballast
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- Safety of mismatching HID lamps and ballast
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