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#19098 12/19/02 10:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
S
Junior Member
We have a 20amp-120v ballasted lighting circuit that opens after 48 hrs of non continuous load. It operates 3 - 3.6 amp ballast's that are all in their range according to Advance, and they run through a 25 amp photocell. All fourescent sign lights are working & we have changed the breaker & phtotcell & one leaking ballast.
Thanks, Mike

#19099 12/19/02 10:51 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 599
N
Member
Have you put an amprobe on the circuit to verify that 10.8A is in fact all you are drawing? Maybe there is something else on the line you don’t know about.

#19100 12/20/02 12:12 AM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
S
Junior Member
Nick,

Thanks for your input, we used a clamp on amprpobe and got just under 11amps total.

#19101 12/20/02 08:51 AM
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 176
W
Member
You may have to rent a recording ampmeter and check the loads. This way you can tell when the circuit peaks and trips the breaker which may give you some clues as to what is happening. I think GE Supply rents this kind of equipment.

#19102 12/20/02 02:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 19
G
Member
My bet is one of the other 2 ballasts is going out. I would replace the other 2 now. I am assuming you have already replaced all 3 lamps.....

#19103 12/20/02 09:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3
S
Junior Member
Thanks for your input.

I checked to make sure all that was on this line was the 3 ballasts. I isolated them and each draws 3.6 amps each.
The load has been continuous for 36 hrs now and the 20amp breaker is warm to the touch. 12 gauge wire to the panel.
Should we separate these signs and give them each their own circuit?
1 has 4- 10 foot HO lamps= 1 ballast.
1 has 10- 6 foot HO lamps= 1 ballast per 5.


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