Electrician help needed....( old problem. New flavor).....RMS only or Conversion?

Duane867 · 06/08/2008, 12:55 AM

The problem is while receiving from 116.5- 120.1/2vac from the receptacle to each ARO 250 watt electronic ballast the bulbs are not running properly. when they receive 116.5 - 118.what ever they are real purple. When they receive 119 - 120.1/2 they are still a little purple but approaching crisp white. The problem is they are brand new 20K DE Ushio's. They are supposed to be blue a fruck ya know.
This is my second set of new bulbs and they are the same, but two different sellers, and the manufacturers them selves swear when they run them they are blue as blue could be. Told me it was a ground fault, or possibly voltage drop, to much, or not enough to begin with. which by the readings I got above just isn't the case when you factor in the +/- 10%. Its right on the money honey.

The ballasts are ARO 250 electronics made to run on 120vac in put @ 60htz, 2.35A max, 90% power factor, and 365Vms open circuit Voltage. They say they were made in 02 but I bought them new 2.5 years ago. How fast to electronic HID ballasts usually wear out ?
Is there a way I can test my ballasts for out put with out a true RMS ?
( Dem thangs is spensive mane !! )

I don't think it is the ballasts though honestly. I have two brand spanking new M80 250 mags I ran them on as well and they did the same thing.

I have an Ideal model 61-310 volt meter. Lowes $25.00 Cheapy.

I know ( or have heard any ways ) that the wave is converted after it goes through the ballast to the light.
Is it impossible to read with a Voltmeter? Or is it a case of doing a little formula +/- a percentage based on resistance when using a voltmeter versus using an RMS with direct read out?

PaulErik · 06/08/2008, 03:34 PM

Electronic and pulse start type ballasts require specialized equipment and testing procedures to measure the output. This is because the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) has a pulsed peak voltage (ignition voltage) for lamp starting. The ignition voltage depends on the ballast design. I believe the ARO is 1.6 kV. Most meters can not withstand this voltage. Another thing is electronic ballasts operate at high frequencies (>30 kHz). Again most meters are not designed for this. Using a meter that is not designed for high frequency will result in false readings. The best method for an end user to test a ballast is measure what the ballast is drawing.

Iâ€™m not sure why you are experiencing a problem. The input voltage is fine. The Ushio 20,000K lamp is viewed differently by people. Some say it looks blue, violet or blue/white.

06/08/2008, 12:55 AM	#1
Duane867 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 133	Electrician help needed....( old problem. New flavor).....RMS only or Conversion? The problem is while receiving from 116.5- 120.1/2vac from the receptacle to each ARO 250 watt electronic ballast the bulbs are not running properly. when they receive 116.5 - 118.what ever they are real purple. When they receive 119 - 120.1/2 they are still a little purple but approaching crisp white. The problem is they are brand new 20K DE Ushio's. They are supposed to be blue a fruck ya know. This is my second set of new bulbs and they are the same, but two different sellers, and the manufacturers them selves swear when they run them they are blue as blue could be. Told me it was a ground fault, or possibly voltage drop, to much, or not enough to begin with. which by the readings I got above just isn't the case when you factor in the +/- 10%. Its right on the money honey. The ballasts are ARO 250 electronics made to run on 120vac in put @ 60htz, 2.35A max, 90% power factor, and 365Vms open circuit Voltage. They say they were made in 02 but I bought them new 2.5 years ago. How fast to electronic HID ballasts usually wear out ? Is there a way I can test my ballasts for out put with out a true RMS ? ( Dem thangs is spensive mane !! ) I don't think it is the ballasts though honestly. I have two brand spanking new M80 250 mags I ran them on as well and they did the same thing. I have an Ideal model 61-310 volt meter. Lowes $25.00 Cheapy. I know ( or have heard any ways ) that the wave is converted after it goes through the ballast to the light. Is it impossible to read with a Voltmeter? Or is it a case of doing a little formula +/- a percentage based on resistance when using a voltmeter versus using an RMS with direct read out? Last edited by Duane867; 06/08/2008 at 01:01 AM.

06/08/2008, 03:34 PM	#2
PaulErik Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: North Charleston, SC Posts: 1,703	Electronic and pulse start type ballasts require specialized equipment and testing procedures to measure the output. This is because the Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) has a pulsed peak voltage (ignition voltage) for lamp starting. The ignition voltage depends on the ballast design. I believe the ARO is 1.6 kV. Most meters can not withstand this voltage. Another thing is electronic ballasts operate at high frequencies (>30 kHz). Again most meters are not designed for this. Using a meter that is not designed for high frequency will result in false readings. The best method for an end user to test a ballast is measure what the ballast is drawing. Iâ€™m not sure why you are experiencing a problem. The input voltage is fine. The Ushio 20,000K lamp is viewed differently by people. Some say it looks blue, violet or blue/white.