Another one for the Sparks, Lightiong CCT MCB tripping

[MattH]

So based on 8 hours a day and 222 working days per year (low number) and our KWHr unit cost of 13p.

The gear trays would be costing an extra £525 PA on top of the £175 PA cost of running the tubes!

 

[dobbslc]

That's unbelievable! That's like 10 times more current than it should be.
No wonder there's been fires!

 

[WorkshopChris]

They are using a lot of power i wouldn't expect even normal fluorescent's to be pulling that much.
Just shows how much we take stuff for granted and just fit it.
In a way its a good job they pulled enough to operate a 6a mcb and alert you to the situation.

 

[500e]

Well there is 1/2 hour of my life gone after reading Matt's post went & checked 3 fittings the trusty Fluke 87 show a reading of 104Ma with the choke & same without
So it seems that some do some don't (story of my life really)
Now Matt has put the idea in my head will have to check all our fittings still at least we can remove chokes as we do it

 

[MattH]

In a way its a good job they pulled enough to operate a 6a mcb and alert you to the situation.

Indeed, that's what I thought. How many people have these and have no idea?

 

[MattH]

Well there is 1/2 hour of my life gone after reading Matt's post went & checked 3 fittings the trusty Fluke 87 show a reading of 104Ma with the choke & same without
So it seems that some do some don't (story of my life really)
Now Matt has put the idea in my head will have to check all our fittings still at least we can remove chokes as we do it

LOL.

 

[mangocrazy]

So the moral of the story (if I read it right) is that when replacing fluorescent tubes with LEDs, remove all chokes and starters from the fitting and just wire them in 'direct' ?

 

[MattH]

So the moral of the story (if I read it right) is that when replacing fluorescent tubes with LEDs, remove all chokes and starters from the fitting and just wire them in 'direct' ?

Certainly with these fittings.

 

[Dee J]

So the moral of the story (if I read it right) is that when replacing fluorescent tubes with LEDs, remove all chokes and starters from the fitting and just wire them in 'direct' ?

That seems to be the best plan. Just watch out for which variant of direct wiring your LED tube needs... and label stuff so other folks know.

 

[MattH]

And if they are led tubes then you probably can rewire the fittings to ditch any chokes, starters etc. Most led tubes are entirely self contained with internal power supplies.

You called it early mate.

 

[Robotstar5]

I think you were using the wrong "lighting" cable, saw this in Wilko today, should be able to carry the current

 

[brightspark]

choke splutter faint i only pay a quid per meter for 10.0mm flat twin and earth

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I think you were using the wrong "lighting" cable, saw this in Wilko today, should be able to carry the current

View attachment 101190

I wonder if they do it in 4 core for 2 way lighting circuits?

 

[Farside]

These are the Ledhut fittings sold for their LED tubes

Apart from the unexpected excess current draw, how are they for light output and quality of light?
I've been thinking of slowly replacing 20 x 4ft tubes in my workshop, a couple at a time. I wouldn't want any less light, iyswim.

 

[MattH]

Apart from the unexpected excess current draw, how are they for light output and quality of light?
I've been thinking of slowly replacing 20 x 4ft tubes in my workshop, a couple at a time. I wouldn't want any less light, iyswim.

All issues aside the tubes are very good and put out plenty of good light. Now I've bypassed the ballasts the current draw is very low.

 

[MattH]

 

[dobbslc]

Wow look everyone......






He's got empty space!

 

[MattH]

Not anymore, that was December.

 

[Farside]

Wow look everyone......






He's got empty space!

Such a thing is an abomination and unnatural.

 

[Farside]

All issues aside the tubes are very good and put out plenty of good light. Now I've bypassed the ballasts the current draw is very low.

Just what I wanted to hear / read
I've had a look at LedHut - dealt with them before, for normal LED bulbs, but didn't know they now had a trade section - which handily enough, asked me for no proof of trade status
That makes the price inclusive of post to be worthwhile getting four at a time, instead of two.