I have 12 high pressre sodium lights i need to put up in my shop. I have a buss bar with 480V made by Bulldog. I want to hook into a pull box and run power to three switchs as 4 lights will work off one switch so i need i diagram or some advice
2007-07-30 16:28:26 · 11 answers · asked by TANZ 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I know what you're trying to do. You have 12 lamps that run on 120 volts, dividing it up in 3 phases would be 4 lamps on each phase, that would total 480 V (phase to phase/delta) if wired in series.
It doesn't work that way! I think wiring high pressure sodium lights in series is the craziest idea I've ever heard of.
These lamps have a ballast and a starter board, that kicks the voltage for the bulb up to above 750 Volts to fire up, once fired up the operating voltage actually drops down to about 10 - 12 Volt measured across the bulb socket, with the unused voltage/power rejected by the ballast
You cannot wire these lights in series, they need to get the proper voltage what they are made for and nothing else.
My wildest guess is that you would blow one starter board after another once you turn the switch on, also the weakest bulb would burn out in a heartbeat, you'd be constantly changing bulbs if this would work at all.
I should try this some day and laugh myself silly about it when it all blows up.
Final advice, let an electrician do this, this is nothing to play with, 480 V hurts real bad, I wouldn't want that to happen again, you never know when it is the last time.
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On second thought:
Is this one of these tricks growers of particular plants are using to hide the power draw of their growing lights to be detected by the KW/Hour meter?
I know very well that very very strange things occur if you create a capacitive and inductive load with the addition of half-wave rectifiers on a phase to phase circuit, like the meter stopping or even turning backwards.
2007-07-31 15:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
greg w is correct:
This is not a DIY job.
Just installing the Bulldog plugin fusible disconnect switch can be extremely. I have seen qualified electricians get severely burned while doing this with a live buss (power to buss still on). If it is not inserted properly, the stabs can bend and short circuit the buss internally. these buss ducts come in amperage ratings from 100 amps to 1000 amps. They also come with aluminum and copper buss bars. You have to know exactly what you have.
Get a qualified Licenced Construction/Industrial Electrician. this is NOT a DIY
I believe you are referring to Bulldog BussDuct.
You will require a Bulldog plug-in fusible disconnect switch, conduit, building wire rated at 600 volts
2007-08-01 11:41:32 · answer #2 · answered by Comp-Elect 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hire an electrician. If you need to ask here, you need an electrician. The most common way to connect those lamps is with 277 volts from your 480 volt panel. Standard industrial lighting circuits.
2007-07-31 14:05:45 · answer #3 · answered by John himself 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am assuming that you are talking about a bulldog panel ( brand ). However , unless you are an experienced electrician this project should not be attempted !!!! First of all , you could possibly kill yourself , 480volts is dangerous. Secondly, the plan you described is completely illegal. Do your self a favor and call an licensed electrician.
2007-07-30 19:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by David B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
working on a 277/480 is NOT for DYI's.
The electrical codes and inspections are not there to cost you money,but to insure safety for property and people.
most city ,states usually require or should a LICENSED ELECTRICIAN on a commercial project.
FYI lighting circuits run in parallel,not series.
ie: 5 light in series one burns out,they all go off.
2007-08-01 00:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by greg w 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are scaring me, no seriously - if it was 12volts system I could help you out. 480 Volts is not a joke - you yourself can fry, or end up burning the place down. Get an electrician, seriously.
2016-05-18 02:50:01 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what do you mean when you say you have a buss barr with 480V made by bulldog?
2007-07-30 18:27:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That`s scary. Get an electrician to do it for you.
2007-07-30 16:32:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
not a do-it yourself project.... to many rules from the code book .... i would not recommend it... you could burn your place down or get shocked bad and possibly die
2007-07-30 18:09:31 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Ree 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you planing your own funeral? get an expert electrician...
2007-07-30 16:50:57 · answer #10 · answered by Zarzoorner 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋