Ballast capacitor

Ltspd · 07-01-2001, 01:26 PM

I have some 175w ballast I just wired up to test, these are for sale in that forum. My question is do I need to dis-charge the capacitors? For some reason I remember that capacitors hold a charge, and to handle them safefly I need to dis-charge them.

MarkS · 07-02-2001, 01:13 AM

Be EXTREMELY carefull when messing with that capacitor!! I am going to assume that the output of the ballast's transformer is in the 1000+ volt range. If you put a screw driver across the terminals, it will melt(no, not the handle, the metal). The charges in some of those capacitors are enough to kill several grown men. You'd be dead before you felt the shock.

I do not know of any safe way to discharge it. You might want to ask SPASSE.

In the mean time, LEAVE IT ALONE!

Mark

Ltspd · 07-03-2001, 11:04 AM

I spoke with a EE friend and a electrician, both said there was no danger and would disapate in air. They said I could lay a screwdriver across the terminals and release the charge. I did that last night and got almost no spark.

MarkS · 07-03-2001, 11:23 AM

Good!

There are some capacitors that are dangerous. The ones found connect to a microwave's magnetron's transformer and some used in TV's. I would just rather be safe than sorry.

Glad it worked out.

Mark

07-01-2001, 01:26 PM	#1
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	Ballast capacitor I have some 175w ballast I just wired up to test, these are for sale in that forum. My question is do I need to dis-charge the capacitors? For some reason I remember that capacitors hold a charge, and to handle them safefly I need to dis-charge them. __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

07-02-2001, 01:13 AM	#2
MarkS Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 1,799	Be EXTREMELY carefull when messing with that capacitor!! I am going to assume that the output of the ballast's transformer is in the 1000+ volt range. If you put a screw driver across the terminals, it will melt(no, not the handle, the metal). The charges in some of those capacitors are enough to kill several grown men. You'd be dead before you felt the shock. I do not know of any safe way to discharge it. You might want to ask SPASSE. In the mean time, LEAVE IT ALONE! Mark __________________ 2 + 2 != 4 Two is only loosely associated with two by a plus sign and therefore doesn't enter the equation at all since it is only there by mere complicity. We shouldn't count it and leave well enough alone.

07-03-2001, 11:04 AM	#3
Ltspd Governor Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Arden, NC USA Posts: 2,767	I spoke with a EE friend and a electrician, both said there was no danger and would disapate in air. They said I could lay a screwdriver across the terminals and release the charge. I did that last night and got almost no spark. __________________ Paul C Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.

07-03-2001, 11:23 AM	#4
MarkS Governor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 1,799	Good! There are some capacitors that are dangerous. The ones found connect to a microwave's magnetron's transformer and some used in TV's. I would just rather be safe than sorry. Glad it worked out. Mark __________________ 2 + 2 != 4 Two is only loosely associated with two by a plus sign and therefore doesn't enter the equation at all since it is only there by mere complicity. We shouldn't count it and leave well enough alone.

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