All high-pressure lamps, such as MH or sodium lamps, require a ballast to function. Analogue ballasts consist of a starter (igniter), a capacitor and a choke (copper coil). If the ballast fails, the starter is defective in the vast majority of cases. This can be easily replaced if necessary, in modern devices together with the capacitor. For reasons of cost, most novice growers opt for a low-priced ballast. Self-assembly kitThe reflector and ballast still have to be wired up. For liability reasons, such kits must be wired by an electrician, so for inexperienced growers it is highly recommended to use a pre-wired sodium vapour lamp, where only the plug has to be plugged into the socket. In our grow shop you will find Self-assembly kits also different Ballasts and Lamp systemsYou only need to plug them in, so no previous electrical knowledge is required (Plug & Play) and you are on the safe side.
How do you wire the ballast correctly?
It isimportant to Correct cable to use. A 3-core, flexible cable (preferably suitable for damp locations) with a cross-section of at least 3 x 1.5mm² must be used; cables with smaller cross-sections become too hot and there is a risk of fire. The stripped cable ends must be provided with a wire end sleeve or they must be soldered. This is absolutely necessary, otherwise there is an increased risk of fire!
With most ballasts, a circuit diagram is shown on the unit or is included in the instructions. With a little electrical background knowledge, this is easy to understand.
First connect the phase and neutral of the plug cable (left) and the reflector cable (right). Always make sure that the luster terminals are screwed tight and that the cables are well seated.
Connect the earths (green-yellow) of the two cables to the ballast unit.
Screw the phase (brown, L), neutral (blue, N) and earth (yellow-green) firmly into the luster terminals on the reflector.
The kit is fully wired and the lamp can be inserted. Do not touch the lamp with bare hands or wipe it off afterwards, as fingerprints will burn into the lamp and reduce the luminosity.
