×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

(OP)
Is there a difference between universal and multitap lighting ballasts?  My impression is that a universal ballast will accept many different voltages without physically adjusting anything (ie taps), but that the multitap ballast will require setting the taps on the ballast prior to applying power.  Am I correct or are they actually the same thing?

RE: Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

Multi-tap ballasts are (almost?) always iron-cored, where universal types are generally electronic switchmode (high frequency) types which can handle a wider range of input voltages.
  

----------------------------------
  
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

RE: Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

(OP)
Scotty, I might have missed the mark with the way I expressed my question ...

Does the universal electronic ballast automatically adjust to the input voltage or does it require setting of taps?

RE: Universal Vs Multitap Ballast

Probably depends on specific brands. The types I worked with (quite) a few years ago were selectable for either high (230V) or low (115V) and the choice was made at installation. It's not difficult to make a self-selecting type but the market might not stand the additional cost of providing the feature.

Maybe others will have more recent experience.
  

----------------------------------
  
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources