HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
(OP)
Here is a good one. A large warehouse had high bay 400W MH lights that randomly go out, either one row, a few fixtures, or the whole place. The problem is they take 15 minutes to cool down and restrike. None of the fluorescent lights go out, or any other equipment. There is lots of motor load (roof top units, refrigeration motors), most of which is 208V. The lighting is all single-phase 277V. I'm thinking harmonics and will do some metering to confirm. Voltage recording shows proper line voltage from the utility.
The next question, is does anyone know vendors in the US of small harmonics filters, that I can put on the 200A, 480/277V lighting panel, or even small for individual 277V lighting 20A circuits?
The next question, is does anyone know vendors in the US of small harmonics filters, that I can put on the 200A, 480/277V lighting panel, or even small for individual 277V lighting 20A circuits?






RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
http://www.mtecorp.com/
David Baird
Sr Controls Designer
EET degree.
Journeyman Electrician.
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
(Why do you have 208V motors and 277V lighing? It would seem you would want to have 480V motors and in any case the motors do not create any harmonics unless they are VFD run.)
You can also see h
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
Like gepman, my first thought would be low voltage causing these to drop out. How old are the ballasts?
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
See http://www.bodine.com/products/arc.html
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
I've attached the voltage recording data, and the voltage looks good. The ballast manufacturer says a 13% drop is needed, or about 240V on a 277V system. The voltage seems fine.
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
I agree gepman, harmonics? Nope!
208V is lousy for motor starting in my experience, especially refrigeration. You can get lots of dips from that.
One thought would be to check out new vastly more efficient solid state ballasts as they will save you operating costs, and can run the HIDs with better lumen retention, longer, and can allow for much faster restrike. But more importantly, since they are sort of like a switching power supply they may 'carry over' glitches.
I can see SState HID ballasts paying dividends. Maybe some energy credits too? ??
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
If you are going to replace ballasts or fixtures you probably should think of going to 4 or 6 lamp T5HO fixtures. In California you would get a $75 rebate per fixture for the 6 lamp unit replacing a 400W MH or a $100 rebate per fixture for a 4 lamp unit replacing a 400W MH. If you put an on fixture occupancy sensor then you can get another $20 rebate per fixture and they are only on in your warehouse when someone is underneath them. It will save at least 120W per fixture while they are on (over the 458W MH ballast) and 458W while they are off with basically the same amount of light. They are the standard design in warehouses these days. About the only disadvantage is that they have more lamps to relamp.
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
RE: HID High-Bay Lights Randomly Going Out
Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com