Voltage optimisers and lighting

[Sintra]

Done an install a couple of years back in a large building with three large sub switchrooms fed from a common main switchroom.
All lighting throughout the installation is either hf fluorescent or pl. As I say this was installed around 2 years ago with only the odd lamp failure as would be expected.
Recently lamps have been failing more or less daily and the client got us to relamp all fittings around 4 weeks ago which has been done.
On a daily basis there are numerous lamps failing so I called in today to investigate.
First thing I noticed was most of the lamps that are still lit have blackened ends so I tested the voltage at random fittings and the highest voltage I measured was 218V. Checked a couple of the local DB's and again voltage was around 218 - 219V L-N.
Got into the sub switchrooms and noticed that voltage optimisers have been installed that have been set to 380V L-L.
I'm reckoning that these voltage optimisers are causing the lamp failures. Any opinions welcomed.

 

[Knobhead]

http://www.powerperfector.com/powerPerfectorPlusunitsizes

 

[Sintra]

Thanks Tony that's super. All information has been passed to the consultant that designed our original works. Hopefully there will be a resolution in the next few days

 

[Marvo]

Good technique, test for obvious and make out a short report so you can warrant slapping them with an invoice. Then fire it back at the designers/consultants and leave it with them to fight it out between themselves.

 

[Richard Burns]

All you need to do is fit a upward voltage de-optimiser on the lighting circuit!!:lol:

 

[Knobhead]

I can see Sintra fitting a tap-off to the incomer, the simplest method.

As for cost what are the lamp and fitting failures costing?

 

[Sintra]

All you need to do is fit a upward voltage de-optimiser on the lighting circuit!!:lol:

Not a chance lol

 

[Sintra]

Good technique, test for obvious and make out a short report so you can warrant slapping them with an invoice. Then fire it back at the designers/consultants and leave it with them to fight it out between themselves.

Tbh we got paid to do the complete re-lamping by the client as around half the fittings were out at the time. Now we have had a few extra visits to re-lamp individual fittings but that's part of the game. Don't think it will be long until they get it sorted as there are around 10 fittings that are out since the weekend.

 

[Billythekid]

All you need to do is fit a upward voltage de-optimiser on the lighting circuit!!:lol:

You joke. . . . . I've had to do exactly that. Their engineer still insists there are savings!

 

[plugsandsparks]

Just a random thought, might be worth measuring the voltages P-N at the local DB feeding the lighting, i.e. L1-N, L2-N and L3 - N , to see if there is any major difference. One bodge solution maybe to change the phase the lights are on to get closer to manufacturers 240 +-6%

 

[Marvo]

.......Don't think it will be long until they get it sorted as there are around 10 fittings that are out since the weekend.

That's a massive failure rate or FAMTBF (Fu*k All Mean Time Between Failures) as it's sometimes known. I'm still sceptical it's due to such a marginal undervoltage. Most brand name manufacturers build in sufficient tolerances to allow at least 5% below the stated voltage requirement on the product.

 

[Sintra]

Just a random thought, might be worth measuring the voltages P-N at the local DB feeding the lighting, i.e. L1-N, L2-N and L3 - N , to see if there is any major difference. One bodge solution maybe to change the phase the lights are on to get closer to manufacturers 240 +-6%

All phases to neutral are the same at the db's give or take 1/10th of a volt.

 

[Sintra]

That's a massive failure rate or FAMTBF (Fu*k All Mean Time Between Failures) as it's sometimes known. I'm still sceptical it's due to such a marginal undervoltage. Most brand name manufacturers build in sufficient tolerances to allow at least 5% below the stated voltage requirement on the product.

I agree but I can't think of any other logical reason for the failures as all fittings have been fine since installation. Around 120 - 130 fittings out in 3 months since these optimisers where fitted.

 

[Knobhead]

Sintra, check you're PM's