Recently a utility company announced a new rebate policy that only accepts ballast-compatible LED tubes for end-user incentives, thus rejecting all other internal-driver- type LED tubes from consideration. According to the announcement, the reason for making this decision is due to safety concerns. While it is well known that single-ended LED tubes are not safe (shown in the video below), the decision makers at this utility company, lighting contractors, and facility managers at large may not be aware that ballast-compatible LED tubes also have inherent safety risks.
The demo video below shows that for some existing electronic ballasts, when one end of the ballast-compatible tube is inserted into the linear fixture while the power is on, the tube is already energized, even though the other end is not yet inserted into the fixture. The installer could be shocked if he or she touches the open end of the tube. Most electricians will leave the power on during the retrofit installation so as to make sure the retrofitted LED tube works properly. When installing a ballast-compatible LED tube with the power in the “on” position, the installer is at risk for electrical shock.
Another safety issue related to arcing risk is also shown in the video where flash occurs when the bin-pin is close to the socket due to high ballast output voltage. This issue was reported by various electrical contractors at the recent LightShow Southwest held in Dallas.
The decision by any utility to incentive customers in the sole use of ballast-compatible tubes is short sighted. It is a proven fact that ballast-compatible tubes have an inherent shock hazard, not to mention they are as much as 30% less energy efficient than internal driver tubes as demonstrated in the video.
In sharp contrast, a number of utilities are reluctant to provide rebate incentives on ballast-compatible LED tube retrofits. These utility companies are concerned that there is no means of preventing a company from reusing the fluorescent tube again once the incentive monies are paid out on the initial LED conversion. For this reason, electrical distributors have begun to reconsider recommending such solutions to their customers.
Another issue that emerged relates to ballast compatibility itself. It is well known that ballasts are not created equal. When it comes to driving ballast-compatible tubes, it surprises no one that ballasts do not behave the same. However, the electrical contractors many times do not realize that some ballasts that are capable of driving three fluorescent tubes can in fact only power two ballast-compatible LED tubes. In this case, when there are three tubes in the fixture, none of the LED tubes will illuminate. Technically speaking, the tube is still ballast-compatible, but is not compatible with all ballasts. This is a real problem as most facilities have multiple ballast types from different manufacturers.
Aleddra LED Lighting has an energy-efficient lighting source that is said to be free of electric shock hazards and removes the ballast issue once and for all. Aleddra’s EasiRetrofit G3 LED tube also comes with a patented replaceable driver design, enabling the change-out of the internal driver of tube in the field and saving on maintenance. Contact Aleddra at or 425-430-4555.
Via: Aleddra LED Lighting
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