277 Volt Florescent Lights

[Bib Overalls]

A friend has six commercial florescent light fixture units. The units consist of two drop in grid ceiling fixtures joined by a BX cable. Each fixture holds two 32 watt T8 bulbs. From what I can tell, it looks like a single ballast drives both fixtures. These are new units on their original shipping pallet. I can get them for a song. The only down side is that these units are set up for 277 volts. Is there any economical way to trade out the ballasts or boost standard 120 voltage to 277?

 

[erosinc]

You may be able to find a 277 to 120 step down transformer. I would also look at the ballast, most commercial ballasts are rated 120-277v in the US and will work on both voltages.

 

[Norcal]

Are they 277V only or 120-277V? Your choices are, suggest they scrap them, buy new ballasts, either 2-lamp ballasts for each fixture or 4-lamp ballasts as it was supplied as OEM, troffers are not that great for shop lights IMO, so my suggestion is leave them alone & look for strip or industrial type fixtures. If they are 120-277V they will run on any voltage in that range, BTW.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Most commercial ballasts, exit signs, etc. I have seen have taps to work with different system voltages. There will be 1 wire labeled for 120v supply and another wire labeled for 277v with a shared neutral. Check and see how many wires are on the input side of the ballast.

 

[rabidsquirrel]

Most commercial ballasts, exit signs, etc. I have seen have taps to work with different system voltages. There will be 1 wire labeled for 120v supply and another wire labeled for 277v with a shared neutral. Check and see how many wires are on the input side of the ballast.

Good call. Since these are new they may use the same wire for either voltage.

 

[Speedy Petey]

Fluorescents will not have separate leads. They will either be 120V, 277V, or auto sensing multi-volt.
Most replacement ballast I am seeing these days are multi-volt.

IMO a transformer is nuts. Changing the ballasts will run you $20-$30 each and is the easiest way if you are dead set on getting them.

 

[rockwithjason]

it's not ideal and i wouldn't recommend it but i have seen people run 277v lights on 240v. the downside is the lamps don't last as long.