Re: streetlights cycling -- layman's inquiry

On 2 Dec 2003 00:15:37 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Tom Beckett) wrote:

>The HID HPS luminaires in the downtown are cycling. I am a taxpayer
>activist.
>The contractor is either baffled or enjoys replacing bulbs every 6-8
>weeks.
>All the affected luminaires have an underground feed and were
>installed in 1998.
>If one luminaire on a circuit starts the others soon follow.
>Since contractor's original installation, most bulbs lasted less than
>a year.
>The contract calls for payment for each and every service call.
>Contractor says ballasts are fine.  I suspect not.
>
>Is it possible a line problem could be at fault? 
>If it's a possibility, would the remedy be expensive, i.e., involve
>tearing up the street ?  Is anyone familiar with contractors being in
>charge of city lighting ?
>
>
>Any experience and insight appreciated.
>
>
>Tom Beckett
>London, Canada

I am somewhat confused about your situation. 

Have these HPS luminaires been a problem since they were installed in
1998, or has the problem started recently? 

When you say "If one luminaire on a circuit starts the others soon
follow." do you mean start each evening - which is normal - or start
to cycle - which is not normal?

What are the luminaires like? Do they use a reflector? If so, are the
luminaires designed for HPS lamps?

I can't quite correlate the "6-8 weeks" comment with the "most bulbs
lasted less than a year" comment. What is the typical service life of
a new lamp before the cycling starts?

Which HPS lamp is being used?

Has anyone measured the line voltage?

-- 
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com