Excessive??? Compact fluorescents failing.

[GBDamo]

Would like to tap into the hive mind a bit.

A customer has approximately seventy suspended ceiling modular lights with TL5C circular fluorescents in and is calling us out roughly every six weeks to change lamps, five or six at a time.

Averaging out gives a lamp life of about 18 months which I don’t think is too bad. No one fitting is constantly blowing lamps.

The fittings are five years old and already a few ballasts have failed.

They have asked me to “test” them to see why the lamps are blowing so frequently.

I have noticed singe marks around the lamp holder and some of the internals are showing signs of heat damage.

Other than ballast output/input and general tightness of connections and lampholder what else would you be looking for?

Or are they just reaching their age and are due replacement?

 

[Dillb]

How are they switched on and off and at what frequency are they switched on/off?

 

[SparkyChick]

Check for a mismatch in lamp/fitting type? As I understand it, some of the newer tubes are not suitable for use with older control gear (they prefer high frequency electronic ballasts) and vice versa.

 

[telectrix]

quote to replace the lot with LED. kerrchingg.

 

[westward10]

They should cut their losses and fit led, cheaper to run and little in the need of maintenance.

 

[GBDamo]

quote to replace the lot with LED. kerrchingg.

This is already done but getting push back from the top.

 

[GBDamo]

All are high frequency ballasts already. But good shout.

Check for a mismatch in lamp/fitting type? As I understand it, some of the newer tubes are not suitable for use with older control gear (they prefer high frequency electronic ballasts) and vice versa.

llll

 

[westward10]

Demonstrate in one area the benefits of led this may then encourage them to have all of them done.

 

[GBDamo]

How are they switched on and off and at what frequency are they switched on/off?

They’re all PIR with fish key override to the on position.

To be honest it was my first look at these this morning and immediately thought LED the lot. Don’t know too much about the failure rate or if there has been a significant change.

Think the manageress just likes looking at my --- when up the steps.

 

[The Ghost]

This may be a power quality issue. That is far too many breakdowns. Have you ascertained the supply voltage or spoken to the manufacturers?

 

[GBDamo]

Demonstrate in one area the benefits of led this may then encourage them to have all of them done.

Done that today, replaced four in an office and reused the working ones elsewhere.

 

[GBDamo]

No to both but will check and give the manufacturer a bell.

Number one on the list of things to check tomorrow.

Cheers

This may be a power quality issue. That is far too many breakdowns. Have you ascertained the supply voltage or spoken to the manufacturers?

to

 

[Nigel]

This is already done but getting push back from the top.

Just make sure they understand the the drivers will only have a design life of five years.

 

[GBDamo]

How does that compare with a HF ballast though.

The panels I use at the moment are NVC which come with a five year guarantee but to be honest I fit what the wholesalers have. Can’t believe there’s that much difference.

Just make sure they understand the the drivers will only have a design life of five years.

 

[Darkwood]

A hefty amount of posts removed, the OP is asking a question and some member are not interesting in helping out and posting to satisfy there boredom I suspect, let's try keep the thread on track as I suspect the OP is looking for help not a barrage of pointless responses, videos or pics that only drag the thread of course.
If you want to respond further then stay on topic please.

 

[Nigel]

How does that compare with a HF ballast though.

The panels I use at the moment are NVC which come with a five year guarantee but to be honest I fit what the wholesalers have. Can’t believe there’s that much difference.

There is not to be far but your client may be expecting no maintenence for the next 20 years.

They just need a bit of educating sometimes. LEDs are sold as good for 20 years but most people outside of the trade don’t factor in driver replacement.

 

[gnuuser]

Demonstrate in one area the benefits of led this may then encourage them to have all of them done.

agree cost savings per year can be a deciding factor.
went from incandescent directly to led in my home and the cost savings was over $500 a year!

 

[gnuuser]

cfl and other ballasts produce a lot of heat and often people insulate around them and they cannot cool of sufficiently! this can lead to early failure of both the lamps and ballasts (Ive seen this often with the inset can type fixtures) the spiral cfl's would get so hot you would burn your fingers trying to change one.
while led's do produce some heat their lifespan can be prolonged by keeping the insulation away from them as well.

 

[Toneyz]

Here we go.

More of the same pointless video's.

A hefty amount of posts removed, the OP is asking a question and some member are not interesting in helping out and posting to satisfy there boredom I suspect, let's try keep the thread on track as I suspect the OP is looking for help not a barrage of pointless responses, videos or pics that only drag the thread of course.
If you want to respond further then stay on topic please.

Well put fed up of the pointless videos.

 

[Nigel]

agree cost savings per year can be a deciding factor.
went from incandescent directly to led in my home and the cost savings was over $500 a year!

Blimey how big is your house and how often do you have the lights on?