Help HPS Ballast Types

[Fred]

Hi All!

Wondering if someone in the group can explain the differences in HPS Reactor
type ballasts and Magnetic type ballasts?

Seems the Reactor type have a much smaller coil and core...much lighter as
well.

Would appreciate it if someone can explain this for me.

TIA

Fred

 

[TKM]

Hi All!

Wondering if someone in the group can explain the differences in HPS
Reactor type ballasts and Magnetic type ballasts?

Seems the Reactor type have a much smaller coil and core...much lighter as
well.

Would appreciate it if someone can explain this for me.

TIA

Fred

Assuming you are interested in North American products, the GE Lighting
Systems Catalog has a nice page of information on that subject. Go to:
https://secure.ge-lightingsystems.com/gels01/gelshome.html and then
navigate to "Product Central" and "Technical Lighting" and, finally "2006
Ballast Data Technical" You will find a page with circuit diagrams and
characteristics of various HID ballasts -- HPS types included.

HPS reactor ballasts are indeed relatively simple and light (considering
they are electromagnetic); but they can only be used with certain lamps
depending upon the line voltage available. 120 volts = low wattage lamps;
higher line voltage = higher wattage lamps. All ballasts shown, by the way,
are "magnetic" or, more properly, electromagnetic.

Terry McGowan

 

[Victor Roberts]

Hi All!

Wondering if someone in the group can explain the differences in HPS Reactor
type ballasts and Magnetic type ballasts?

Seems the Reactor type have a much smaller coil and core...much lighter as
well.

Would appreciate it if someone can explain this for me.

Well, reactor ballasts ARE magnetic ballasts. You probably
mean the difference between reactor ballasts and CWA
ballasts, both of which are magnetic ballasts.

The reactor ballast has a single core, while CWA ballasts
have two cores, making them about twice as large. So, you
may ask why would someone use a larger ballast when a
smaller one is available. The answer is that CWA ballasts
have better lamp power regulation than reactor ballasts,
but, on the other hand, reactor ballasts have lower ballast
losses.

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
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[Fred]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge Terry and Vic...and for the link to the
data sheets...much appreciated.

Fred