Philips Electromagnetic Lamp manual 3 20Installation aspects

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3.19 Fault finding

For safety and good ignition, earthing of the luminaires and the electrical system can be essential. Check the system’s current to real earth (see section 5.3.18: Earth leakage).The voltage between real earth and the neutral conductor is not limited by safety regulations, but lies normally between 0 and 6 V.

Apart from these electrical tests, it has to be checked that all components are used within their specifications, with special attention to the maximum temperature.

3 20 Installation aspects

-The live side of the mains must be connected to the ballast.As most ballasts are symmetrical there is no marked indication at the ballast terminals for the mains and lamp connection. Mixing up the ballast terminals can slightly influence the radio-interference level.

-In the total circuit, however, interchanged connection of phase and neutral terminals can cause higher radio interference, higher earth leakage currents and/or ignition problems.

-It is recommended that the bottom plate of the ballast be connected to earth, for example via a metal part of the luminaire. In case of end-of-life of the ballast, short-circuiting of the ballast windings to the metal laminations of the ballast will result in a blown mains fuse.The ballasts do not have a separate earth contact: earthing-while-mounting.

-In two- or three-phase networks with a neutral conductor, this neutral wire must have the same cross-section as the phase wires.

-Use stranded wire in places that are subjected to vibrations or where the wire must be able to bend in use, as in a spotlight.

-Most ballasts, starter- and lampholders are equipped with either single or double insert contacts, suited for solid core wire of 0.5 - 1.0 mm2, which should be stripped properly.

-At ambient temperatures below 10 ºC closed luminaires should be used to avoid too low lighting levels.

-Circuits with glow-switch starters require long starting times at low temperatures.An earthed metal shield near the lamp will improve the starting process, shortening the starting time and increasing lamp life.This earthed metal shield can be the mounting plate for the ballast.

-Mount the ballast as close as possible to the lamp.Although the starter peak initially has a high value, its energy content is restricted. Due to the high ohmic resistance of long installation wires, the starter energy can easily be lost.This can happen in particular in series circuits with two ‘TL’ 4-6-8 W lamps.

-Preferably mount ballasts on metal surfaces for good heat transmission. If the ballast has to be mounted on heat-isolating material (wood),

the type ballast should be used.

-In outdoor applications SL lamps should be used inside an enclosed luminaire.This is to prevent moisture from creeping into the lamp.

-SL lamps cannot be dimmed as this will reduce lifetime considerably. Also, the dimming circuit in which the lamps are used can be damaged.

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