HID Ballast Testing
1. HID Open-Circuit and Short-Circuit Test Limits
LAMP
MERCURY
BALLASTS
Wattage
50
75
100
175
250
400
2–400 (ILO)
2–400 (Series)
700
1000
ANSI
Number
H46
H43
H38
H39
H37
H33
2–H33
2–H33
H35
H36
225–255
225–255
225–255
225–255
225–255
225–255
225–255
475–525
405–455
405–455
0.85–1.15
0.95–1.70
1.10–2.00
2.00–3.60
3.00–3.80
4.40–7.90
4.40–7.90
4.20–5.40
3.90–5.85
5.70–9.00
230–280
240–275
235-290
0.95–1.25
1.35–1.70
2.05-2.55
HIGH PRESSURE
SODIUM BALLASTS*
METAL HALIDE
BALLASTS
High Reactance Autotransformer
(HX)
70
M98
100
M90
150
M102
LOW
PRESSURE
SODIUM
BALLASTS
Secondary
Short
Circuit
Current
Amps
Open
Circuit
Voltage
RMS
Constant Wattage Autotransformer
(CWA)
175
M57
285–320
250
M80
230–270
250
M58
285–320
400
M59
285–320
2–400 (ILO)
2–M59
285–320
2–400 (Series)
2–M59
600–665
1000
M47
400–445
1500
M48
400–445
Low Loss Linear Reactor Pulse Start
(LLRPSL)
150
M102
250-305
175
M137
250-305
200
M136
250-305
250
M138
250-305
320
M132
250-305
350
M131
250-305
400
M135
250-305
450
M144
250-305
Super Constant Wattage Autotransformer Pulse Start
(SCWA)
150
M102
215-265
175
M137
240-290
200
M136
215-265
250
M138
240-290
320
M132
240-290
350
M131
240-300
400
M135
240-300
450
M144
255-315
1.50–1.90
2.90–4.30
2.20–2.85
3.50–4.50
3.50–4.50
3.30–4.30
4.80–6.15
7.40–9.60
2.00-2.50
1.70-2.10
1.80-2.70
2.40-3.00
3.00-3.70
3.40-4.40
3.70-4.50
4.20-5.20
2. HID Short-Circuit Lamp Current
To assure the ballast is delivering the proper current under lamp
starting conditions, a measurement may be taken by connecting an
ammeter between the lamp socket center pin and the socket shell
with rated input voltage applied to the ballast. If available, a socket
adapter may be used.
1. Energize ballast with proper rated input voltage.
2. Measure current with ammeter at A1 and A2 as shown below.
3. Readings must be within test limits shown on left.
When using a clamp-on ammeter for this measurement, be
certain the meter is not near the magnetic field of the ballast or
any steel member which might distort the magnetic field.
When short-circuit lamp current test results in high, low or no
reading, further checks should be made to determine whether
cause is attributable to improper supply voltage, shorted or open
capacitor or inoperative ballast. Checks may be made as follows:
Supply Voltage Check
Measure Line Voltage. If ballast is multi-voltage unit, make
certain input voltage connection is made to proper input voltage
terminal or lead.
Capacitor Check
Verify capacitor rating is as required and shown on ballast label.
Ballast Check
Perform Open-Circuit Voltage test to ensure operation within the
RMS range shown in the table to the left.
2.15-2.65
1.85-2.25
1.90-2.30
2.35-2.90
3.00-3.70
3.00-3.75
3.60-4.40
3.90-4.75
35
50
70
100
150
150
200
250
310
400
1000
S76
S68
S62
S54
S55
S56
S66
S50
S67
S51
S52
110–130
110–130
110–130
110–130
110–130
200–250
200–230
175–225
155–190
175–225
420–480
0.85–1.45
1.50–2.30
1.60–2.90
2.45–3.80
3.50–5.40
2.00–3.00
2.50–3.70
3.00–5.30
3.80–5.70
5.00–7.60
5.50–8.10
18
35
55
90
135
180
L69
L70
L71
L72
L73
L74
300–325
455–505
455–505
455–525
645–715
645–715
0.30–0.40
0.52–0.78
0.52–0.78
0.80–1.20
0.80–1.20
0.80–1.20
Short-Circuit Current Test
INPUT
OUTPUT
A1
CAP
LINE
V1
BALLAST
COMMON
LAMP
SOCKET A2
* CAUTION: Always disconnect the ignitor before measuring the output voltage of High Pressure Sodium ballasts
and Pulse Start metal halide ballasts. High voltage starting pulses can damage commonly used multi-meters.
Outdoor
Sheet#: TD-110
TD - 110
HID Ballast Testing
3. HID Ballast Continuity
Continuity of Primary Coil
1. Disconnect ballast from power supply and discharge the
capacitor.
2. Check for continuity of ballast primary coil between input leads.
Continuity of Secondary Coil
1. Disconnect ballast from power supply and discharge the
capacitor.
2. Check for continuity of ballast secondary coil between lamp
and common leads.
LINE V
LINE V
CAP
C
CAP
C
LAMP
COM
LAMP
COM
Between Common and Line Leads.
COM
COM
Between Common and Capacitor Leads.
LINE V
LAMP
LINE V
LAMP
CAP
C
CAP
COM
LAMP
COM
CAP
C
COM
COM
Between Line and Lamp Leads.
LAMP
LINE V
C
COM
Between Common and Lamp Leads.
C
LINE V
LAMP
COM
LAMP
CAP
COM
Between Common and Capacitor Leads.
LAMP
COM
Between Common and Lamp Leads.
NOTE: Information compiled by Advance Transformer Co. and reprinted with permission.
Lithonia Lighting
Sheet #: TD-110
TD-110.P65
©2002 Acuity Lighting Group, Inc. 3/02
Acuity Lighting Group, Inc.
Outdoor Lighting
One Lithonia Way, Conyers, GA 30012-3957
Phone: 770-922-9000 Fax: 770-918-1209
In Canada: 1100 50th Ave., Lachine, Quebec H8T 2V3
www.lithonia.com