Fluorescent lighting circuit

[Busy Bee]

Morning All, can I have your advice please - I am still learning the trade.

I have been asked by a friend to look at her lighting in her workshop and currently there are 2 fluorescent lights installed. She wants a further two lights installed and the existing ones reloacted. To be honest, I haven't dealt with fluorescent lighting before and after research, I am more confused than before. Its not the electrical theory, more about the actual lighting...

The current circuit is a radial and not a ring. To double the lighting to 4 bulbs I would think that it would be wise to turn it into a ring - am I correct in this? and what cable size would be appropriate for this type of lighting?

Also, it would seem sensible to completely replace all the fittings at the same time as it would seem that these types of bulbs can be problematic when moving them (something to do with ballast...?).

Lastly, are there any really important things to remember about this type of lighting that isn't considered with a standard light bulb that I must know....

Thanks for your help guys, appreciate your advice.

BusyBee

 

[ian.settle1]

there is also something called sroboscopic effect ( my favourite word) where because of the unseen flickering of lights moving objects like lathes etc to the eye look like they are stationary when they areas above has in fact moving this can cause serious injury if the lights are not canceling each other out.

as your post indicates you have not enough knowledge to do cable calculations i think you would be better to give this one a mis and do a bit more theory in college before you try of all things a workshop.if something went wrong you would be in prison and that would be an end to your carier.
if you believe you are capable then start off by reading bs7671

No such thing if High Frequency fluorescents are used.:lol:

 

[Darkwood]

My pennenth on stroboscopic effect is that it applies to rotating machinery not 'moving' as suggested as this would cover a larger scope, it applies to any inductive lighting that dosn't run on high frequency, but as well as fitting high frequency it is also ok to balance the lighting over different phases as an alternative method and on larger installs is the normally chosen method as it also balances loads and has less blackout effect in the event of a phase down.

 

[Doomed]

Mate, it seems the plumbers I work with have better electrical knowledge then you, don't attempt anything without skilled supervision please, for your sake and for the sake of those around you.

 

[plugsandsparks]

This has to be pretty hard to mess up, just bung the new lights in, cable from the new light to the nearest existing, jobs a gud un. Switch on and hey presto lots more light.
Is it any harder than that ?

 

[1shortcircuit]

When you say workshop are you on about a full working workshop of just someone double garage at the bottom of their garden?

What equipment is being used in the workshop?

Are the accesories appropriate for their location?

Is there RCD protection?

Is there bonding present? Are there other extreneous conductive parts that should be bonded ie structural steel?

What is the Main Earthing Arrangement, size of the tails and size of Main Earth, What's the Max demand of the installation?

What size cable is currently being used, what type, what size protective device is being used? Are the lights just provided via a FCU from the circuit that provides power to the sockets?

How far is the workshop away from the power supply, how is the power fed from the supply?

DOES THIS WORK REQUIRE SIGNING OFF IN ACCORDANCE WITH PART P OF THE BUILDING REGULATIONS?



My suggestion is this, find yourself a local spark. Explain that you have recently passed your exams and that you have a job that someone would like you to do and see if he would mind popping along to oversee what you do.

Even on the Electrical Trainee courses you do work with florescent lighting so perhaps this will explain why alarm bells are ringing in every post.

Good luck and congratulations on your recent success. As it was said to me, Start as you mean to go on. That means do the job properly and always do it properly :thumbsup

 

[sparks1973]

o/p, get a sparks in...watch what he does...dont be afraid to ask questions..he will probably respect the fact you are asking.....knowledge is power......