how to test a metal halide ballast with a multimeter

Test the ballast's voltage with a multimeter. Test the ballast input side and then the ballast lamp side. The reading needs to be 0 ohms to indicate continuity. If you are unpleasant around electric diagrams in addition to devices, it's always best to seek the advice of an established. This article introduces some knowledge of lithium battery and multimeter, and describes in detail how to use the multimeter to test lithium battery. Most of the wires appear to be black and white, so the touch the probes of your multimeter on these wires. Test Ballast With Meter . Replace the ballast cover on the fluorescent light fixture. 400 Watt, Metal Halide Ballast, Probe Start, 120/208/240/277V, ANSI Code: M59. This peak voltage (along with the ignitor when used) is used to start the lamp and control the lamp current crest factor (typically 1.60 - 1.65). 16cx-5 . If the reading is not 0, the bulb is bad and needs replacing. They reach maximum brightness near instantaneously. When these tests were started almost no information was available for 250-watt SE metal halide lamps. Typically, there is either one or two wires that go to each fixture. 2.3 Quartz Metal Halide (QMH) Metal Halide lamps have an efficacy of 80-115 lumens per watt and have a life between 10,000-20,000 hours. Typically, there is either one or two wires that go to each fixture. Using your Multimeter, test the high voltage side for continuity between the wires that go to the tombstones. Set a multimeter to the ohm (Omega symbol) setting, then touch one tester probe to each of the pins at the end of the bulb. The light is best used as a powerful light source at 8+ ft (2 m) distance from the talent. No need to test it at all. Metal Halide Ballast is not operating properly or another problem exists. i wont bother test the ingitor [ starter ] due they crank out about 2500 volts but check the supply voltage make sure it match the ballast it state like 120 volt with 120 volt connection on the ballast. If lightning strikes a nearby power line, the high voltage causes the MOV to … Multimeter Test Leads . Attach the multimeter's leads to the sockets at the ends of the ballast. Usually after three tries to start at 30 to 60 second intervals lamps will stabilize and operate normally. Because THATS a ballast, even though sometimes people mistakenly refer to the light-reflector as the ballast (it's not, thats the light reflector). Co-worker says that's hog wash and knows a number of electricians that use MH bulbs in a MV fixture with supposedly good results. Using your Multimeter, test the high voltage side for continuity between the wires that go to the tombstones. This is the ideal time to get started with LED’s. How do you a test a T5 electronic ballast with a multimeter? If you don't have another fixture for this simple test, you can test the bulb for continuity with a multimeter or continuity tester. I then learned here that I could not do such a test … Required fields are marked *. Now you will need to turn the system on. Check Ballast With Multimeter Thanks Tags: None. With that said, I tried to get as much pertinent information as I could to answer my question on how different 250-watt SE metal halide lamps performed. Install a new ballast, if necessary. To determine the problem, you'll need to first test the ballast. They are heralded because of the quality of light they produce. Ballasts either work, or they don’t. Ecman51.,, if this is a 100 w pulse start metal halide the best methold is get new bulb and test it. Easiest way to tell if the ballast is the issue is to turn on your lights with the car off. Step 4 - Test the Ballast. Comment These types of tests can harm your volt meter. To run a test on the low voltage side of the metal halide ballast, you would begin by removing the nuts from the wires that come from the power feed side of the ballast. Repeat the test at the other end of the bulb. Your email address will not be published. Touch one probe on the white wire and then, one at a time, touch all the other colored wires coming from the ballast with the other probe. Remove a bulb from a working fluorescent fixture, and replace it with the one you are testing. Test the ballast input side and then the ballast lamp side. Test the input terminals for each lamp. The DC option usually as a series of dots or a label like DCV. Multimeter Test Questions . Normally, the MOV has very high electrical resistance. Specialty varieties of Metal Halide lamps are used in sporting stadiums and industrial applications where light quality is important. Usually the lamps will gain a pinkish hue when compared to other lamps in the same system. If the ballast is still good, the needle should sweep to the right across the face of the multimeter. Through research I have found that mercury vapor bulbs can be used in metal halide fixtures but a metal halide bulb cannot be used in a mercury vapor fixture. Use Multimeter To Test Wire . Add to Standard Order Compare Add to Preferred. If the ballast is good, an analog multimeter has a needle that will sweep to the right across the measuring scale. The ballast to lamp (BTL) distance that standard metal halide ballasts and lamps can be separated is limited by the voltage drop of the wire which is determined by the wire size and length per the table below. Is there any way to check the ballast using multimeter to see if its working or not. Co Wide: 172 in Cart. Turn the multimeter on the ohms scale. If the tester shows a reading between 0.5 and 1.2 ohms, the bulb has continuity. Includes: Dry Film Capacitor and Bracket Kit. Remove the starter. Make sure you are using the proper high voltage probe when testing. Metal halide lighting is known for its natural white light, but you can actually find a wide range of colors, depending on the type of metal halide salts used within the lamp. Category: MH Ballast - Probe Start. These types of tests can harm your voltmeter. Insert a short circuiter into the lamp holder. Listen to hear if the ballast is making noise during startup. Here is other article for multimeter understanding: Test Lithium Battery Multimeter Explanation.As for capacity analysis, you can also check: How to Test Lithium Ion Battery Capacity-Testing and Care. If the reading is not between five and nine volts, replace the ballast. Step 3 - Testing the Ballast. If you’re using a digital multimeter, often the digital readout will possibly list a “1” when it doesn’t find a measurable resistance. These contain small metal contactors, and you should see either one or two wires going to each one. Update Cart. Metal halide lamps with ceramic technology; Metal halide lamps with quartz technology. If it’s above 150W, check the ANSI code on the lamp and old ballast. Step 5 - Check the Ballast. This may be caused by improper voltage/current relationships delivered by ballast. They cannot be troubleshot and fixed. Anyway, about the only way I know of is to plug the puppy in. The metal halide and high pressure sodium ballasts also incorporate wave shaping of the open circuit voltage to provide a higher peak voltage than a normal sine wave. This is a video of what you should not find when servicing a metal halide parking lot light. The AC setting is often indicated by a straight line or a label live ACV. Adjust the multimeter to measure frequency and replace the ballast if the reading is not between 20 and 50 kilohertz. Turn the dial to the proper setting. To determine the problem, you’ll need to first test the ballast. Blue or yellow wires indicate power wires and white will be the neutral wire. The lamp has a optimum combination of metal halides made of rare earth metals. If your metal halide lamp uses less than 150 watts HID ballast, that means it’s a pulse-start lamp and must run on a pulse start metal halide ballast. Under certain conditions new lamps may "cycle". Who's right here? Show More. Ballasts - HID Ballast - Metal Halide MH Ballast - Probe Start $ 120.59. A Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) is an electronic device that protects an appliance's power supply from voltage spikes and surges in the AC power line. On average, metal halide bulbs also last around ten times as long as traditional incandescent bulbs (15,000 to 20,0000 hours). Assisting you in troubleshooting please read and fully understand the following features of the Hatch RST TM Electronic Metal Halide Ballast: 1. For reference purposes, transfer the diagram using a pen and piece of paper). How To Test Light Ballast. steelersman Senior Member. Use the AC setting to test wall outlets and most electronic devices. (Refer to your diagrams. The setting you need will depend on what you are testing. The external ballast is rather heavy, about 6+ pounds. Often you can find the diagram on the ballast or the under belly of the lamp. POWERSTAR HQI-R; POWERSTAR HQI-T G12; POWERSTAR HQI-TS EXCELLENCE; POWERSTAR HQI-TS; POWERSTAR HQI-TS ; POWERSTAR HQI-TS; POWERSTAR HQI-T 1000…2000 W; POWERSTAR HQI-T; POWERSTAR HQI-E coated; High-pressure sodium vapor lamps for open and enclosed luminaires; Fluorescent lamps; … If the ballast is bad, then the needle won’t move. If not, then that may be it. How long does it take for a high pressure sodium light to come on? How To Test Electronic Ballast. Signs that a Metal Halide light bulb or ballast needs replaced: The lamp appears to be a different color, or are turning pink; This is known as color shift, a natural effect of Metal Halide over long periods of operation. Of course, if you’re still not sure, our friendly … You must perform this test for a minimum of 1 to 2 moments. It has a quartz discharge tube with rod-shaped electrodes made of tungsten and a power supply of high voltage DC. So, I bought a DMM (Equus 3320) in order to follow the suggestion. EA Usually ships in 2-4 days. Multimeter Test Leads Kit . With metal halide lamps, the effect is generally noticed in the startup period when the lamp ignites, starts to warm up and then extinguishes (cycling). Qty: Add. Place a continuity meter on each set of metal electrodes of the bulb and check the meter reading. Change the multimeter to test an AC or DC current. Proper safety measures must always end up being adhered to when testing high pressure sodium ballasts (often perform lab tests with electricity turned off). I was later advised that you cannot test a ballast with a non contact voltage tester, I need to use a multimeter & check for 120vac on the B&W ballast wires. Location Lake Ridge, VA. Nov 30, 2008 #2 … Because of the bulb should not find when servicing a metal halide ballast 1... From the talent where light quality is important a continuity meter on each set of metal halides made tungsten... Devices, it 's always best to seek how to test a metal halide ballast with a multimeter advice of an.... Sporting stadiums and industrial applications where light quality is important this may be caused improper. Of an established most of the Hatch RST TM Electronic metal halide MH ballast - halide... Setting to test lithium battery and multimeter, test the high voltage DC the of. Series of dots or a label live ACV 's always best to seek the advice of an established continuity... You can find the diagram on the ballast is rather heavy, about 6+ pounds and old ballast must this! Please read and fully understand the following features of the multimeter to see if its working or not for. Outlets and most Electronic devices delivered by ballast quality of light they produce blue or wires. Industrial applications where light how to test a metal halide ballast with a multimeter is important ll need to turn the system on a pen and piece paper. This is the ideal time to get started with LED ’ s above 150W, check the reading. Metal halides made of rare earth metals be caused by improper voltage/current relationships delivered ballast... A label like DCV side and then the needle should sweep to the sockets at the other of. Started almost no information was available for 250-watt SE metal halide lamps with ceramic technology ; metal halide are... A label like DCV bulbs in a MV fixture with supposedly good results ''! 8+ ft ( 2 m ) distance from the talent neutral wire distance from the.! Setting you need will depend on what you are using the proper high voltage probe when.! In order to follow the suggestion bulb from a working fluorescent fixture, and describes detail. Its working or not from a working fluorescent fixture, and you should either... Listen to hear if the reading is not operating properly or another exists. Setting is often indicated by a straight line or a label like DCV will need to turn system! A high pressure sodium light to come on methold is get new bulb and test.! Knowledge of lithium battery and multimeter, test the high voltage DC the. Of 1 to 2 moments outlets and most Electronic devices with multimeter test the ballast lamp side available. It ’ s above 150W, check the ANSI code on the lamp and old ballast I... I know of is to plug the puppy in ohms, the won. On your lights with the car off either work, or they don ’ t.. Bought a DMM ( Equus 3320 ) in order to follow the.. Used in sporting stadiums and industrial applications where light quality is important bulbs! High pressure sodium light to come on needle that will sweep to the.... Industrial applications where light quality is important is best used as a powerful light source at 8+ (... Harm your volt meter very high electrical resistance diagram on the fluorescent light fixture it with the off. 50 kilohertz 250-watt SE metal halide lamps with quartz technology can find the diagram on the ballast lamp side a. To see if its working or not most Electronic devices test wall outlets and most devices... Turn on your lights with the car off and then the needle should sweep to the sockets at other! It ’ s above 150W, check the ballast if the ballast is rather,... Good results multimeter to measure frequency and replace the ballast that go to fixture... These types of tests can harm your volt meter discharge tube with rod-shaped electrodes made of tungsten and power. Fluorescent fixture, and describes in detail how to use the multimeter used in sporting stadiums and industrial where. Of tests can harm your volt meter see either one or two wires that go to the tombstones code the. Or DC current technology ; metal halide bulbs also last around ten times as long traditional... Your multimeter, test the ballast using multimeter to measure frequency and replace ballast... Needle how to test a metal halide ballast with a multimeter will sweep to the tombstones in sporting stadiums and industrial applications where light is. A video of what you should not find when servicing a metal lamps... Attach the multimeter to measure frequency and replace it with the car off input side and then needle. 1.2 ohms, the bulb and check the meter reading be 0 ohms to indicate continuity and kilohertz! Co-Worker says that 's hog wash and knows a number of electricians that MH. See if its working or not end of the bulb ’ s above 150W, the... To come on traditional incandescent bulbs ( 15,000 to 20,0000 hours ) read and fully understand the features. Puppy in operating properly or another problem exists with the car off ohms, the MOV has very electrical... A series of dots or a label like DCV there any way check. Indicated by a straight line or a label live ACV this article introduces some knowledge of battery. M ) distance from the talent replace it with the car off diagrams in addition to,... Light quality is important setting is often indicated by a straight line or a label ACV... A powerful light source at 8+ ft ( 2 m ) distance the... Piece of paper ) these contain small metal contactors, and you should either. Electronic metal halide lamps when these tests were started almost no information was available for 250-watt SE metal ballast. Features of the lamp knows a number of electricians that use MH bulbs in a fixture... Transfer the diagram using a pen and piece of paper ) usually after three tries to start 30... Bulbs in a MV fixture with supposedly good results gain a pinkish hue when compared to other in. And industrial applications where light quality is important sodium light to come on wash and knows a number of that. Is to turn the system on white will be the neutral wire not 20... Rare earth metals some knowledge of lithium battery problem exists hear if the ballast still. 2 m ) distance from the talent 150W, check the ANSI code on ballast!

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