strange russian fluorescent light fitting

[KLR]

While I was in Russia last week noticed this strange setup with the
fluro lights in the hotel we were staying at, and it has me puzzled.

http://www.geocities.com/kenreed1999/russianfluro.jpg


For some reason there were 2 "ballasts" in the thing, I have thought
that one of them (left) might be a separate transformer to power the
filaments (as it has 4 terminals and the other (right) 2 terminals),
but if that were the case - why would you need a starter in there if
the filaments are being heated by the filament transformer ??

For that matter - why would you need a filament transformer in a
standard 40 watt batten anyway ??

I have thought of dimming - but why not just switch to a much smaller
lamp internally instead ?
I'm sure that even soviet technology had advanced sufficiently to
develop standard 2 wire ballasts as we have used here for decades.
Seems a very expensive and inefficient design to me. Anyone got a
clue on this design idea ?

Unfortunately the label on the "ballast" was not understandable by me
as it was not in english, and all the internal wiring in the fitting
was concealed in plastic sleeving which made it impossible to trace.
(note - russia uses 220vac mains) For that matter - they appeared to
use a red wire as an earth and green as one of the supply lines.

Out of interest there were more bloody lights in that city than I have
seen in equivalent places here in aus. I would have to give that city
first prize in wastage of electricity. For example - above the
platforms in one metro (underground rail) station I was in
(Kitay-Gorod) - there were dual "U" shaped 40 watt tubes roughly every
foot along the ceiling - and this went on for well over 150 metres.
and not just on this platform. ( pic at bottom of this page)

http://www.metro.ru/stations/kaluzhsko-rizhskaya/kitay-gorod/

---------------------


Also - note the use of a wired remote control on the Goldstar TV.
Must save changing the batteries all the time. Strange place.

http://www.geocities.com/kenreed1999/russianTV.jpg

 

[Rod Speed]

While I was in Russia last week noticed this strange setup with the
fluro lights in the hotel we were staying at, and it has me puzzled.

For some reason there were 2 "ballasts" in the thing,

Looks rather like there are two tubes there, with two fittings
mounted end to end, with both ballasts in the one with the cover off.

I have thought that one of them (left) might be a separate transformer to
power the filaments (as it has 4 terminals and the other (right) 2 terminals),

Rather unlikely and they look suspiciously identical.

but if that were the case - why would you need a starter in there
if the filaments are being heated by the filament transformer ??

And what would be the point of a filament transformer anyway ?

For that matter - why would you need a filament
transformer in a standard 40 watt batten anyway ??
Precisely.

I have thought of dimming

That should have been obvious from the switch in that unlikely possibility.

- but why not just switch to a much smaller lamp internally instead ?

I'm sure that even soviet technology had advanced sufficiently to
develop standard 2 wire ballasts as we have used here for decades.
Seems a very expensive and inefficient design to me. Anyone got a
clue on this design idea ?

Like I said, looks rather like there are actually 2 tubes end to end.

Maybe the fitting has had a single tube mount added to what was
originally intended to have 2 tubes if there is only that one fitting.

Unfortunately the label on the "ballast" was not understandable by
me as it was not in english, and all the internal wiring in the fitting
was concealed in plastic sleeving which made it impossible to trace.
(note - russia uses 220vac mains) For that matter - they appeared
to use a red wire as an earth and green as one of the supply lines.

Out of interest there were more bloody lights in that city than I have
seen in equivalent places here in aus. I would have to give that city
first prize in wastage of electricity. For example - above the
platforms in one metro (underground rail) station I was in
(Kitay-Gorod) - there were dual "U" shaped 40 watt tubes roughly
every foot along the ceiling - and this went on for well over 150
metres. and not just on this platform. ( pic at bottom of this page)

They're likely just scared of the dark.

Wouldnt be the first massive bureaucracy that didnt
give a flying red **** about the waste of electricity etc.

http://www.metro.ru/stations/kaluzhsko-rizhskaya/kitay-gorod/

Also - note the use of a wired remote control on the Goldstar TV.

We had those here at one time, long ago.
Likely just their technology lagging badly.

 

[Mike Harding]

Out of interest there were more bloody lights in that city than I have
seen in equivalent places here in aus. I would have to give that city
first prize in wastage of electricity. For example - above the
platforms in one metro (underground rail) station I was in
(Kitay-Gorod) - there were dual "U" shaped 40 watt tubes roughly every
foot along the ceiling - and this went on for well over 150 metres.
and not just on this platform. ( pic at bottom of this page)

http://www.metro.ru/stations/kaluzhsko-rizhskaya/kitay-gorod/

Most of western Europe has much better public lighting
than in Oz, whether you think that's a good or bad thing
is another matter.

Also - note the use of a wired remote control on the Goldstar TV.
Must save changing the batteries all the time. Strange place.

http://www.geocities.com/kenreed1999/russianTV.jpg

Probably a special for hotels to stop people stealing the
remote controls.

Mike Harding

 

[KLR]

Looks rather like there are two tubes there, with two fittings
mounted end to end, with both ballasts in the one with the cover off.


Rather unlikely and they look suspiciously identical.

nope - one was definitely 4 terminal - other 2.

Would be a good explaination though if they were the same ballasts.