Testing a ballast with a multimeter

Using your volt-ohm meter, or multimeter , test the high voltage side for continuity between the wires that go to the tombstones. Typically, there is either one or two wires that go to each fixture. Blue or yellow wires indicate power wires and white will be the neutral . Turn the voltmeter to the the ohms reading.

Any other reading indicates that the ballast needs to be replaced.

Test the voltage of the other colored wires on the high voltage .

High pressure sodium ballast is responsible for regulating the pressure in light fixtures that use high pressure sodium gas to produce the light.

Insert one probe of the multimeter in to the wire connector holding the white wires together. Touch the remaining probe to the ends of the blue, red and yellow wires leading from the ballast. Depending on the ballast , you may have only red and blue wires. Do not attempt electrical projects unless you are confident in your ability to do so. Why did my fluorescent light stop working?

Replace your broken ballast with the right type. Day-Brite louvered fixtue with glass sides. I buy, sell, and trade vintage ceiling fans. Remove any lights in the light fixture to be tested. Use the voltmeter to check for voltage at the output of the ballast.

I pointed out the simplest way. Not sure if all of them are vintage. If the amp draw on high is around. Testing to see if it is good or bad.

The ballast provides the proper amount of voltage to start the bulbs and continues to regulate the. Just an FYI, the tester shown can only be safely used for detecting the presence of electricity, not the absence. Thanks for sharing, I have several of . HOW TO TEST HIGH LOW HID BULB - Duration: 0:29.

XENTEC Slim Xenon HID Ballast vs GMini HID Ballast . Put the ballast to the fluorescent lamp , then see the effect of the lamp wether light up or not. Be sure lamp is good working first. You should take specific safety precautions when working on an HPS ballast. Make sure you disconnect this starter circuit, since its high- voltage starting pulse can damage some multimeters. The voltage on 50W through 400W lamps . Set the meter to volts to check the battery voltage across the terminals.

Measure the resistance along an HT lead by setting the meter to ohms and probing.