How to Test a High-pressure Sodium Ballast
- Remove the Lamp. Remove the lamp. ...
- Visually Inspect the Lamp. Visually inspect the lamp for proper connections and contacts. ...
- Check Accessories. Review the accessories on your lamp. ...
- Test the Voltage. Using your voltmeter, test the voltage. ...
- Check the Ballast. Remove the starter. ...
- Check the Short-circuit Current. ...
- Reassemble. ...
Full Answer
What is a high pressure sodium ballast?
High pressure sodium ballast is responsible for regulating the pressure in light fixtures that use high pressure sodium gas to produce the light. These types of lights are commonly found outside. They are used for things such as security lighting. They are also commonly found in an indoor garden setting.
How do you test a ballast safety switch?
Use the volt meter or an ohm meter to confirm that the safety switch is conducting power through the contacts. These switches are a one-time-use device and generally cannot be reset. Test the input voltage and output voltage of the ballast transformer. Check the manufacturer's specifications for wiring diagrams and voltages.
How do I know if my ballast is working correctly?
Insert a short circuiter into the lamp holder. Now you will need to turn the system on. Your ballast is working correctly if you do not see any signs of smoke or any humming and buzzing sounds. You should perform this test for a minimum of one to two minutes. Pull out the AC ammeter and check the short circuit current of the ballast.
How do I know if my high pressure sodium light is bad?
These lights are typically controlled by a photocell that turns the light on at dusk. The most common problem with a high pressure sodium light is the bulb. The first course of action is to simply change the bulb. Observe the interior gas tube for any signs of discoloration. If the tube is black, the bulb is definitely burned out.
How do I test a high pressure sodium ballast?
0:382:17How to test a Sodium Lamp Ballast - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to test that we get our multimeter. And we put it to the on setting. And we go between the twoMoreSo to test that we get our multimeter. And we put it to the on setting. And we go between the two terminals. And we should be looking for a low reading loams. For example around 2 or 3 ohms.
How do I test a ballast with a multimeter?
0:082:33Fluorescent fixture ballest test - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read openMoreYour other test lead to the wires. And see if your meter still reads open line it should read open line open line if you have an analog meter it should not move.
How do you troubleshoot a high pressure sodium light?
The most common problem with a high pressure sodium light is the bulb. The first course of action is to simply change the bulb. Observe the interior gas tube for any signs of discoloration. If the tube is black, the bulb is definitely burned out.
What is the output voltage of a high pressure sodium ballast?
The HPS ballasts differ from the mercury/metal halide ballasts in that a high-voltage (2500 volts) low-power pulse is required to strike the arc and start the HPS lamp. So a starting circuit is introduced to generate and direct this pulse.
How can you tell if a ballast is good?
One probe of the multimeter should touch the hot wire connections, while the other touches the neutral wire connections. If the ballast is good, an analog multimeter has a needle that will sweep to the right across the measuring scale. If the ballast is bad, then the needle won't move.Feb 5, 2017
How do I know if a ballast is bad?
If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:Flickering. ... Buzzing. ... Delayed start. ... Low output. ... Inconsistent lighting levels. ... Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. ... Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.More items...•Jul 19, 2019
How do I know if my HPS bulb is bad?
How do you tell if a HPS bulb is burned out? When the bulb produces no light, you know it is bad. The less sarcastic answer is to look at the small tube inside the bulb. If the tube has a dark or even a black color to it, that means it is deceased and will not work.
How long do HPS ballasts last?
4000 - 5000 hours (HPS) 3000-4000 hours (CDM)Mar 6, 2014
Do HPS bulbs wear out?
You'll get a good 24,000 hours out of an HPS lamp. When they do start to degrade, though, HPS bulbs tend to depreciate in their blue spectrum output first. They typically need to be replaced about every 10 to 14 months.
What does a ballast do in a high pressure sodium lamp?
Ballasts are needed to run high pressure discharge Lamps with their various gas fillings (mercury vapour, sodium vapour or metal halide). They stabilise the lamp current and thus lamp power. The rating of the ballast is important to ensure proper lamp operation.Jun 20, 2016
How do you test a metal halide ballast?
Check the ballast output with a voltage tester. Turn on the lamp and touch the ends of the tester leads to the lamp electrodes with the bulb in place, then remove the bulb and make the same test. You should get voltage readings in both cases that agree with the output specified on the label.
What is the voltage output of the HID ballast assembly?
BALLAST INPUT VOLTAGES Today's most widely used nominal input voltages for HID lighting systems include 120, 208, 240, 277 and 480 volts, with 120 and 277 the most popular. Advance ballasts are therefore designed to operate the wide variety of HID lamps at these inputs.
What is the problem with high pressure sodium light?
The Bulb. The most common problem with a high pressure sodium light is the bulb. The first course of action is to simply change the bulb. Observe the interior gas tube for any signs of discoloration. If the tube is black, the bulb is definitely burned out.
How long do sodium bulbs last?
They emit bright yellow light. Typically these lights are used on sides of industrial buildings and in some street lamps. Sodium bulbs can last up to 20,000 hours. The heavy duty transformer or ballast is also long lived if the bulbs are changed out before they burn out.
Can steam ruin ballast windings?
The steam can ruin the internal insulation of the ballast windings. G.K. Bayne is a freelance writer for various websites, specializing in back-to-basics instructional articles on computers and electrical equipment. Bayne began her writing career in 1975 and studied history at the University of Tennessee.
How to Know if the Light is Bad or Broken?
Nothing lasts forever. The average lifespan of a high-pressure sodium bulb is 18 months or 24000 running hours. It is recommended to replace the lights afterward.
Why Do High-Pressure Sodium Light Go Bad?
A high-pressure sodium bulb is no different when it comes to bulbs. It will die eventually one day.
Endnote
That’s everything you need to know about how to tell if a high pressure sodium bulb is bad.
