Dimmable ballasts

[Robin Spark]

Done some PAT testing in some offices recently and they have asked me to come back and change a load of lamps in a mixture of cat 2 recessed luminaires 4 * 18watt and 1 *40watt single turn CFL.

I have replaced most of the lamps but are still left with 9 fittings in 2 rooms where it appears that the ballast are U/S! The fittings are only 3 years old and there are about 40 luminaires in total so its nearly a 25% failure rate.

The ballasts are tridonic dimmable (quite expensive)ones but with such a high failure rate I dont want to be replacing these and coming back in 6 months time if there is an underlying problem causing this problem.

Is there anything I can check apart from the obviuos loose connections/ voltage at the fittings that may have influenced this failure? Also just to confirm there are no switch start luminaires apart from the one in the canteen, which is switched seperately when the staff go in the there.

 

[MajorOak]

We have an office full of the Tridonic T8 2x36 "Not Dimmable" ballasts, they are going all the time, I have replaced at least 20 this year.

 

[Robin Spark]

Thats not very good really, these ballasts are

 

[MajorOak]

Even the non-dimmable are not that cheap. If any more go I am going to send them back to Tridonic. For

 

[Bacon]

May be a good idea to explain to client the cost and likely hood of them going down.

And trying to find an alternative replacement fitting on a cost basis rather than a repair to the exsisting fittings.

 

[Robin Spark]

Normally i would find it easier and cheaper to replace the whole fitting than messing about with the control gear, however these are on a digital dimming system with a momentary action switch, so I'm not sure about what cheaper alternatives if any would be compatible.

 

[Evans Electric]

Just wondering why they need to dim the lights in an office ?

Also I have a low opinion of Tridonic ballasts other than the standard wound fluorescent ones. I had a load of faulty HF 70w on some lighting tracks we fitted at a printers , the first track we did had Fitzgerald HF fittings the second was Crompton but both makes used Tridonic ballasts which were carping out all the time.

Elswhere in the premises ancient switch start fluorescents remained trouble free.

 

[Robin Spark]

Just wondering why they need to dim the lights in an office ?Also I have a low opinion of Tridonic ballasts other than the standard wound fluorescent ones. I had a load of faulty HF 70w on some lighting tracks we fitted at a printers , the first track we did had Fitzgerald HF fittings the second was Crompton but both makes used Tridonic ballasts which were carping out all the time.

Elswhere in the premises ancient switch start fluorescents remained trouble free.

Modern technology hey! Its supposed to be more reliable and greener for the environment but how can this be when having to replace and throw away electronic control gear, oops sorry I mean recycle properly under weee regulations. I think its the manufacturers supplying tat that only needs to be guaranteed for 12 months, yet you see switch start fittings 20 + years that are still ok!

 

[Sidewinder]

Remember not all electrical/electronic kit comes under WEEE mind!

Also, back to the OP, IS this a "feedback" issue or other emf type issue?

What is the exact nature of the control circuit?

 

[revjames]

Seen a lot of these in schools. Usually an electronic controller monitoring light levels and dimming or brightening to suit conditions. But the ballasts as with most electronic ballasts are very poor and are forever being replaced. So savings in electricity - green ticks but what about the other costs manufacturing and transporting replacements - kind of defeats the object of saving energy?

 

[Robin Spark]

Remember not all electrical/electronic kit comes under WEEE mind!Also, back to the OP, IS this a "feedback" issue or other emf type issue?

What is the exact nature of the control circuit?

TBH, not quite sure on the exact lighting control system at the moment its something i have got to find out and if its going to be to specialised for me then I can ask the company to refer back to original installer as I'm not experienced at lighting control systems.

It was a job I had to do early this morning before the office workers start as the H&S officer doesnt like the lamps being renewed with staff at their desks etc. So as I had problems with the luminaires I was there a lot longer than anticipated this morning and have told them i need to go back.