Ballast wiring???

[i=p/u]

If you wire a ballast incorrectly , would it damage it?

I got a 2x 42w ballast today and the numbers are different on this one.

What does the wee star indicate on the Ballast wiring diagram?

Any help need more info just ask thx.

 

[Adam]

The little star "*"? usually indicates the shortest leads.

Not sure if the ballast can be damaged by incorrect wiring though.

 

[i=p/u]

1,2 has the we star which was neutrals
3,4 was line's
5,6 was neutrals
7,8 was line's with the wee star
Hmmmmm

And the new ballast has 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 with wee stars between 10,11 and 16,17

Hmmm I'm probably over looking this but the ballast cost £80

 

[Adam]

Most ballast are straight forward, if they have the same number of connections. The diagram will usually show all wiring to lamp holders, and the stars need to go to the nearest lamp holder(s) as they need to be as short as possible.

The only problems that can usually be encountered, is when the lamp configurations are different (eg: in series, and lamp holders are connected together rather than direct to ballast).

 

[Marvo]

Some ballasts can run with either multiple series smaller tubes or standard configuration with a single larger tube. I'm wondering if the asterisks or stars indicate different wiring schemes. Assuming the incoming supply was not incorrectly connected I would imagine that it wouldn't be damaged by mis-configuring the outputs if it's a recognised brand name item. Some ballasts have a lockout feature to prevent fires or ballast damage when a fault is detected or when the tube reaches end of life. Often powering off will reset but there may be another manual method of resetting required. I would be heading for the manufacturers website for a data sheet.

 

[Farmelectrics]

Change like for like one cable at a time then you can't wire it wrong but you won't damage ballast

 

[Mark_Burgess]

Are the wires coloured differently?

 

[Adam]

1,2 has the we star which was neutrals
3,4 was line's
5,6 was neutrals
7,8 was line's with the wee star
Hmmmmm

And the new ballast has 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 with wee stars between 10,11 and 16,17

Hmmm I'm probably over looking this but the ballast cost £80

From that small amount of info, I would guess that 10-13 would connect to one lamp and 14-17 would connect to the other.

10-11 and 16-17 would connect to lamp holders nearest the ballast.

Just check the lines on the wiring diagram, and ensure the wires connect to the correct side of the lamp holder as they may be crossed over which is prevent the lamp from striking.

 

[i=p/u]

why do they need to be short as possible?????


a guy i work with told me it doesnt matter as long as you match the browns from one lamp with the blues and yes the astrix means the shortest ... so not loads init and its up and working and everyone is happy. ty

Most ballast are straight forward, if they have the same number of connections. The diagram will usually show all wiring to lamp holders, and the stars need to go to the nearest lamp holder(s) as they need to be as short as possible.

The only problems that can usually be encountered, is when the lamp configurations are different (eg: in series, and lamp holders are connected together rather than direct to ballast).

 

[ian.settle1]

Are the wires coloured differently?

No they are all the same colour normally white.

 

[Landril]

Whats the make and model of the ballast?
Also generaly the cable colour is white but orange/pink and other are used too, so not always the case.

 

[i=p/u]

Tridonic digital dimmable 2x42w

3-100% dimming capability

 

[Landril]

If you have the product code i can look on the tridonic website and view the data sheets which may have wiring diagrams,
alternatevly if you are on a computer here is the addy:

Tridonic - Technical data

 

[Landril]

1,2 has the we star which was neutrals
3,4 was line's
5,6 was neutrals
7,8 was line's with the wee star
Hmmmmm

And the new ballast has 10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17 with wee stars between 10,11 and 16,17

Hmmm I'm probably over looking this but the ballast cost £80

After a quick look at most of the ballast's, my conlusion is this:

1,2 (*N) into - 10,11 (shortest cables)
3,4 (L) into - 12,13
5,6 (N) into - 14,15
7,8 (*L) into 16,17 (shortest cables)

That should work as for your dimming is it controlled by a LCM or just a standard 240v dimmer?

 

[i=p/u]

It's a touch dimmer. The ballast also has perm live and switched live. I got it sorted/working and have learnt a bit. Ty