Reply to Thread

Originally Posted by slctech

Seems though like a nice enough person, left a homage for HurtinHVAC's father-in-law that recently passed in the memorials section.

Yeah the queen of hearts is always your best bet 👍🏻

Yeah I'm sure she'd run right over this old guy for the young one behind me 😭

I don't know VTP, don't get your hopes up.

That pic from this blog is based out of Norway, and the profile says he/she is out of Indianapolis? Got my suspicions here.

Seems though like a nice enough person, left a homage for HurtinHVAC's father-in-law that recently passed in the memorials section.

Whoda thunk ?

Hooah

Well if that's truly her photo ID she's more then welcome to my phone number

About coughed up my coffee this morning!!

Four year old post and some newbie with an Avatar and name that is suspect just magically chiming in?? VTP99 I think you may need to look over your shoulder, got a stalker!

Thanks for your post Helenawe
These particular lights were HID ( high intensity discharge )
But yes using wattage is a incorrect method.
Are you involved in the lighting industry ?

It is very easy to overload a branch circuit that supplies fluorescent lighting. The most common mistake of making load calculations for fluorescent lighting loads is to use lamp wattage instead of the volt-amperes and total current draw as marked on the ballast's label.

NEC 410.74 says that the luminaire has to be labeled for the voltage used. The ballasts were not listed for 480 volts
There are probably others but that one comes to mind.

We'll see if he chimes in. If not I'll give a shout out.
I just have to know if I need this trick in my bag...

I'm guessing no, but give a shout out to Timebuilder. Send him a link to the thread in a PM.

Originally Posted by VTP99

So my only question left is this an acceptable practice and in violation of any NEC code ?

So my only question left is this an acceptable practice and in violation of any NEC code ?

I sort of already have one. Isn't that one of the things we do? We look at the evidence left behind after a failure, perform our forensic investigation and "once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth."

Originally Posted by VTP99

Well BBeerme, you hit the nail on the head. I just checked the ballast and the taps are 120/208/240/277 no 480 tap.
Maybe you should consider a career in criminal investigation

Originally Posted by BBeerme

Maybe someone had a bunch of 240 ballasts hanging around. Or got them at a great price.
.

Well BBeerme, you hit the nail on the head. I just checked the ballast and the taps are 120/208/240/277 no 480 tap.
Maybe you should consider a career in criminal investigation

Originally Posted by buttwheat

No disrespect meant at all but why are you servicing lights? Are you a licensed electrician? Do you work a facilities job?

Been servicing electric signs and lights for about 40 years now. That and I have the equipment to do said work. I've installed high rise signs 80' tall next to 4 lane highways.

No disrespect meant at all but why are you servicing lights? Are you a licensed electrician? Do you work a facilities job?

Hahaha....I should have used the 120v taps and put all four in series, hehe

Heh heh, that would depend. If one of the series ballasts internally shorted, then it would take out the other one. If it failed open, then the second ballast would not be harmed.

Originally Posted by VTP99

Pretty sure they were multi tap with a 480 tap. I'll have to grab one off the truck. Your thinking could be correct though. Question is if one ballast goes bad how would that affect the second ?

Pretty sure they were multi tap with a 480 tap. I'll have to grab one off the truck. Your thinking could be correct though. Question is if one ballast goes bad how would that affect the second ?