I have one workhorse 8 and a workhorse 5 which I need to ground somehow. So my question is this, can I ground the ballasts into a regular wall socket or would it be best to ground it to a large metal object like a futon? Also, can I use just any wire as a ground or does it need to be a specific kind?
Questions about grounding a flourescent ballast
- Thread starter Phrenic
- Start date
Do NOT attach to futon frame!!!
That grounds nothing, it simply allows the couch to operate as an Electric Chair. Ground refers to THE ground as in the planet earth.
Use a 3 prong ext cord no smaller than 14 gauge. Cut off the female head. Remove existing wire from reflector noting where white and black connect. With new cord, white to white, black to black, green to the metal housing of your reflector. Now, any stray current will travel the green wire, into the wall socket and into THE ground.
That grounds nothing, it simply allows the couch to operate as an Electric Chair. Ground refers to THE ground as in the planet earth.
Use a 3 prong ext cord no smaller than 14 gauge. Cut off the female head. Remove existing wire from reflector noting where white and black connect. With new cord, white to white, black to black, green to the metal housing of your reflector. Now, any stray current will travel the green wire, into the wall socket and into THE ground.
Gotcha. I've already got a three prong outlet spiced to my white and black wires from the ballast. So what I assume is I can just take any 14gauge wire (might 18g with a 600v rating work?), connect it to the housing of my ballast and then splice it to the green (grounding) wire from the three pronged cord?
I'm sorry but, I have no idea what that says, but, DON'T mess with your wall outlets.
Get a 3 prong ext cord no smaller than 14 gauge, cut off the female head. Black to black, white to white, green to the metal reflector. Because the ballast bolts directly to the reflector, these do not require an additional ground wire between them.
Your ballast doesnt need a ground.
If there is not a green wire (yes, it will ALWAYS be green) coming from within the ballast - you do not have a ground. Attaching a ground is asking for trouble.
I may have to research it just a tid bit more but i do know my larger T12 shop light does have a ground from the socket, just to the frame of the unit tho. Its been a good minute since i opened it, but i can safely assume that if it does go to the ballast, the ballast was grounded to the frame with a green wire coming from within the ballast.
If there is not a green wire (yes, it will ALWAYS be green) coming from within the ballast - you do not have a ground. Attaching a ground is asking for trouble.
I may have to research it just a tid bit more but i do know my larger T12 shop light does have a ground from the socket, just to the frame of the unit tho. Its been a good minute since i opened it, but i can safely assume that if it does go to the ballast, the ballast was grounded to the frame with a green wire coming from within the ballast.
Here is the diagram PDF for my ballast http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...5CpQMUnzg&sig2=qNO42n47exy2b_a6CAkVKQ&cad=rja. All it says is "ground ballast in accordance to the National Electric Code" There is no green (grounding) wire on the ballast. What I have done is attach the grounding wire from a three prong extension cord which is then bolted to my ballast. So on the extension cord I have black to black, white to white and then green bolted to the outside of my ballast. Is anything I'm doing here out of line?
TAKE THE GROUND OFF.
You do not need to ground it. I have two of these ballast and my friend works at an electrical supply co having also been an electrician. Electricity is not a hobby. There is not a ground on the wiring diagram - that step doesnt apply to you.
If you are unsure of what you are doing - you shouldnt be doing it.
You do not need to ground it. I have two of these ballast and my friend works at an electrical supply co having also been an electrician. Electricity is not a hobby. There is not a ground on the wiring diagram - that step doesnt apply to you.
If you are unsure of what you are doing - you shouldnt be doing it.
Alright, thank you. I just wasn't sure what to do. It says "ground it" but then you don't have to do anything? I guess in the future I will have to ask my electrical questions more ahead of time and let more feedback come in before doing anything. Thanks for all the input guys.
Yea... im sorry if i sound rude, but grounding things that shouldnt be grounded can lead to some SERIOUS problems!
Grounding as per what it says is for permanent installation for businesses that wire them all together and such. Ive had mine wired up for over 8 months problem free.
Grounding as per what it says is for permanent installation for businesses that wire them all together and such. Ive had mine wired up for over 8 months problem free.
can you explain how grounding can cause serious problems? That is the first time I have heard that.
Grounding is a safety feature and has nothing to do with businesses wiring them up together.
Any device will work w/o grounding.
Cool, well with any luck my 72watt PL-L vegging chamber and 156watt PL-L flowering chamber will be cranking out buds in no time. I couldn't do it without all the helpful information here on this forum. Good stuff.
Its not the ground itself so much as if you ground it improperly. Shorting a circuit can easily spark fire.
Business lighting runs a bit differently then the standard 120vac. They also arent wiring them up to plugs and pluggin them in the wall... its a circuit usually.
FrijolElVerde
Member
Hola guys, Retired CA State Licensed Electrical Contractor here. The Fulham instructions are to ground the ballasts per the Code. That mean the green goes directly to the case of the ballast (my Workhorses have extra holes that can be used) or the ballast is mounted to, and electrically common to a metal fixture that is connected to the green ground wire. A starting aid is a grounded strip of metal- usually the fixture itself or the reflector that is close to the tube- I've read 1/2 to 1 inch. There you have it- don't shoot the messenger!! 
G
guest456mpy
FrijoElVerde gives the correct information.
Cannarado, The only time you don't want multiple grounds is in audio circuits, where ground loops can cause hum or in analog sensor application, where you lose interference shielding. All other circuits should tie into circuit ground, with the actual earth ground at the main service location.
What you suggest is unsafe, hence the code. You may not be in an unsafe condition unless hot and neutral is switched or neutral gets lifted. I'm a retired E.E. with field experience. Not trying to bust your balls, but rather to keep another person from getting hurt.
Cannarado, The only time you don't want multiple grounds is in audio circuits, where ground loops can cause hum or in analog sensor application, where you lose interference shielding. All other circuits should tie into circuit ground, with the actual earth ground at the main service location.
What you suggest is unsafe, hence the code. You may not be in an unsafe condition unless hot and neutral is switched or neutral gets lifted. I'm a retired E.E. with field experience. Not trying to bust your balls, but rather to keep another person from getting hurt.
What i suggest isnt unsafe. Its more unsafe to try and ground things when you dont know what your doing. Running with out a ground isnt always unsafe.
I've worked hand in hand with electricians for the past few years, and my uncles been a master electrician for over 10 years.
FrijolElVerde
Member
Don't worry- just a short circuit between the earsLOL
LOL
G
guest456mpy
LOL,
I shall not get into a pissing contest.
O. P. Read the applicable codes for "wet locations" in the NFPA 70 manual and follow the appropriate precautions for your own safety and peace of mind.
I shall not get into a pissing contest.
O. P. Read the applicable codes for "wet locations" in the NFPA 70 manual and follow the appropriate precautions for your own safety and peace of mind.
Business lights run 120/277, so what. Fluros are hard wired into a circuit, so what.
ground is ground
You aren't the only one who has electrical experience
The only lighting I have seen that did not use a ground was exit signs and emergency lights
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