Question on using 32W CFL with 22W output of ballast

[mtl777]

First of all, sorry for this very basic question. I'm not really an EE, otherwise I could just answer this question myself. I have tried Google but have not found a definitive, clear answer. But I found this forum and hope you would entertain my question and pardon me for posting such an elementary question here.

I have a fixture with a ballast that has 22W and 32W outputs for T9 circular fluorescent lamps (CFL's). The 32W output doesn't seem to work anymore, as I connected a new 32W CFL to it and the lamp doesn't light up. However, when I connect the 32W CFL to the 22W output of the ballast, the lamp lights up and seems to be working fine. Is it safe and alright to connect the 32W CFL to the 22W output? I'm thinking that it is safe. The 32W CFL will just not light up to its fullest brightness but there is no danger of overheating the ballast or shortening the life of the ballast or the lamp. Could anyone please confirm this?

Thanks you so much in advance for your most appreciated help!

 

[Skogsgurra]

You seem to have answered the question yourself. At least part of it.

If you think that it is worth the risk to save a few dollars, I think you should reconsider. And I do not think that anyone is prepared to tell you that it is OK either.

It may be an interesting question. The fact that the lamp works off one tap and not the other can have several reasons. Just go buy a new lamp. That's what we do.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[waross]

We try to do it right. Not much experience doing it wrong.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[mtl777]

@Skogsgurra : Thanks for replying! I actually have two new lamps already, the 12-inch 32W CFL and an 8-inch 22W CFL. My fixture accepts two lamps (concentric circles). I will put the 22W CFL on the 22W output of the ballast, just to be sure. I will not use the 32W CFL anymore but will just return it to the store (Home Depot).

But I'm still curious about my question, just purely from a theoretical standpoint. So, what exactly are the risks or issues of putting a 32W CFL on a 22W output of a ballast?

By the way, if it would help to answer my question better, the product code of the lamps are as follows:

12-inch 32W CFL - FC12T9
8-inch 22W CFL - FC8T9

The ballast is a "rapid start electronic ballast" with product code "E190694" and FTY Code "HD3222-120A". The 22W output of the ballast has 2 blue and 2 yellow wires for 4-pin connection. The 32W output of the ballast has 2 red and 2 yellow wires for 4-pin connection.

Thanks again!

 

[Skogsgurra]

Yes, I can understand the "curiosity" part of the question. And I quite often do little investigations to find an answer to such questions. It won't happen this time. Mostly because I am in 50 Hz part of the world and I do not have access to your kind of stuff.
Assuming you are US - timing seems to be somewhere "Americas".

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[mtl777]

Thanks, Skogsgurra, I understand. And yes, I am in the U.S. indeed. I hope someone from here would answer my question!

 

[mtl777]

Hmmm... 5 days and still no answer? I'm tempted to think that there are really no issues significant enough to worry about.

Anyway, I think I know now why only the 22W output of the ballast is working and not the 32W. Five years ago, I hired a handyman to do a lot of stuff in my newly bought home and one of the things he did was to put new bulbs. Well, on this particular fixture he mistakenly reversed the connections and put a 32W CFL on the 22W output and a 22W CFL on the 32W output. Because of this, the 22W CFL as well as the 32W output it was connected to got damaged after some time. But the 32W CFL kept on working for 5 years(!) and I didn't bother to change the 22W CFL because I felt I didn't really need it -- the 32W CFL's light was good enough and I didn't want to waste electricity.

Then recently, when the 32W CFL finally went out (due to ordinary wear and tear), as I was going to replace it with a new one, I got the chance to look at the diagram on the ballast and that's when I found out that the connections were reversed! So now I realize the 32W CFL worked for 5 years without problems on the underpowered 22W output whereas the 22W CFL got damaged shortly on the 32W output due to being overpowered beyond its capacity. Luckily it didn't start a fire!

 

[waross]

Thanks for the update.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter