277 Volt Fluorescent Light Fixtures

[DawgPaw]

I can get a bunch of new old stock 277 volt fixtures. Would it be worth picking them up? How hard and/or expensive to switch to 120 LED? More trouble than it’s worth?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Does the ballast have multiple taps meaning its multivolt rated?? If not then you would have to replace the ballast which won't be cheap

 

[yatg]

Ditch the ballasts and rewire for single or double ended LED. May need to replace the tombstones if they are single pin or shunted if going single ended.

 

[Bert_]

What kind of fixtures?

 

[alfredeneuman]

It depends on the type and brand of the fixtures.

 

[DawgPaw]

They are Lithonia DM 2 32 277 TUBIHP if that helps

 

[cybrdyke]

They're fairly old if they are truly only 277V, which the part number indicates. Still, check the ballast part number inside them just to see if they're multi-volt by chance. If not, they're still good to use if you remove the ballast. It's an easy job. You wont have to worry about replacing sockets if you get double-end tubes.
Good luck,
CD

 

[DawgPaw]

They're fairly old if they are truly only 277V, which the part number indicates. Still, check the ballast part number inside them just to see if they're multi-volt by chance. If not, they're still good to use if you remove the ballast. It's an easy job. You wont have to worry about replacing sockets if you get double-end tubes.
Good luck,
CD

They are definitely old. It sounds like it may be doable though. I appreciate it.

 

[jpaw]

First I would check the ballast as stated. If they are new and a style that you like I would figure out the conversion cost and purchase price vs new.

A good quality fixture with replaceable bulbs is an investment vs cheap fixtures that you will have to replace, probably with one's that don't match.

 

[The Cobbler]

price out 120 volt ballast bypass LED bulbs & decide.
Personally, I would grab them & buy bypass ballast bulbs if I had a use for them over buying LED fixtures that are non replaceable bulbs

 

[DawgPaw]

price out 120 volt ballast bypass LED bulbs & decide.
Personally, I would grab them & buy bypass ballast bulbs if I had a use for them over buying LED fixtures that are non replaceable bulbs

It’s 277 volt which I don’t have. I’m pretty sure they aren’t multi voltage which is why they are available. I don’t think the ballast bypass bulbs will work, but it looks like I can remove the ballast and buy appropriate bulbs. I’m going to pick them up in the morning.

 

[The Cobbler]

ballast by pass don't use the ballasts, that's why I suggested them. you ditch the balllasts . depending on the tombstones you may need to replace those too.

 

[mikedodge]

If the price is right and you need that type of sealed light they'd ne worth it.

 

[Norcal]

It’s 277 volt which I don’t have. I’m pretty sure they aren’t multi voltage which is why they are available. I don’t think the ballast bypass bulbs will work, but it looks like I can remove the ballast and buy appropriate bulbs. I’m going to pick them up in the morning.

It has a standard strip fixture inside, super EZ to retrofit a ballast bypass LED, a non issue.

 

[nadogail]

“120 volts bites, 277 volts kicks like a Mule”. I told my Students. Be very cautious with 277 light fixtures and their ballasts because the shock from a 277 volt circuit can knock you off your ladder.

Many Facility Maintenance Technicians replace 277 Volt ballasts hot rather than kill the lighting in cubicle farms. Their desire to minimize the inconvenience of the people using those lights often outweighs their personal regard for their own safety.

 

[mikedodge]

“120 volts bites, 277 volts kicks like a Mule”. I told my Students. Be very cautious with 277 light fixtures and their ballasts because the shock from a 277 volt circuit can knock you off your ladder.

Many Facility Maintenance Technicians replace 277 Volt ballasts hot rather than kill the lighting in cubicle farms. Their desire to minimize the inconvenience of the people using those lights often outweighs their personal regard for their own safety.

It's 120 or 347V in Canada. It was added to code years ago for the ballasts to have connectors on the incoming side of those fixtures to make them safer to service.

 

[alfredeneuman]

“120 volts bites, 277 volts kicks like a Mule”

True.
An electrician for the same company as I, on a different job, was working on a scissor lift 25' in the air.
He (against company policy) was working live on a 277V lighting circuit, leaning across a "trapeze hanger" with multiple EMT runs and was electrocuted. He fell off of the lift but was dead before he hit the floor. He left behind a wife and 2 children
The owner had to undergo 2 years of Psychological Treatment. He was never the same.
The mid size company folded due to Workmen's Compensation rate increases.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

True.
An electrician for the same company as I, on a different job, was working on a scissor lift 25' in the air.
He (against company policy) was working live on a 277V lighting circuit, leaning across a "trapeze hanger" with multiple EMT runs and was electrocuted. He fell off of the lift but was dead before he hit the floor. He left behind a wife and 2 children
The owner had to undergo 2 years of Psychological Treatment. He was never the same.
The mid size company folded due to Workmen's Compensation rate increases.

wow where was the safety supervisor? ground spotter? apprentice? or other workers? someone shouldve spoke up and sounded the alarm before this guy did this. he ruined countless lives because of carelessness

 

[alfredeneuman]

It was a small remodel job. There were only 4 electricians on it.
He was a journeyman for 10 years and acting foreman on the job. He gave his crew the weekly safety meetings.
There's no excuse for it.