Effects on Capacitor Banks on electronic ballasted flourescent fixture

[mnnc]

What are the effects of having a capacitor bank on electronic ballast fluorescenbt fixtures?

 

[dpc]

It will probably be more of a problem for the capacitors than the ballasts. The electronic ballasts are a rich source of harmonic currents. The cap bank looks like a very low impedance to higher frequency harmonics and this often causes cap fuses to blow, and/or capacitor failures.

If there is the buffering impedance of a transformer between the capacitors and the ballasts, problems will be less.

 

[mnnc]

dpc,

A friend of mine also an Electrical Engineer told me that he has encountered a problem, the fluorescent tubes in an electronic ballast are prone to busted than ordinary ballast.

 

[dpc]

Maybe, but I don't think it has much to do with remote capacitor banks. Addition of capacitors will increase the system voltage, but other than that, I don't see the capacitors being involved with this problem.

First thing is to verify that that correct ballasts are being used.

Second thing to keep in mind is that a lot of these cheap fluor. ballasts are complete junk. We have seem entire batches that had to be replaced almost as soon as they were energized. We try to stick with reputable ballast suppliers and not buy the cheapest ballast available. But YMMV of course....

 

[mnnc]

dpc,

thanks for the insight. we'll do check on the ballast manufacturer.