[rotteux]

Anyone ever had any kind of problem replacing High-Pressure Sodium bulbs while leaving the power ON ?

I need to replace a bulb but there is no specific breaker or switch to turn the power off and I cannot power off the whole building.

Is it safe to replace HPS bulbs while leaving the power ON ?

 

[psyguy]

Unplug your ballast.

 

[kbsparky]

IF the bulb is still lit, you would need some heavy-duty asbestos-type gloves to prevent from burning your hand. Those bulbs get HOTT while operating!

I would not recommend attempting such a feat without proper protection.

 

[CheapCharlie]

Anyone ever had any kind of problem replacing High-Pressure Sodium bulbs while leaving the power ON ?

I need to replace a bulb but there is no specific breaker or switch to turn the power off and I cannot power off the whole building.

Is it safe to replace HPS bulbs while leaving the power ON ?

Like said above, those lights get freaking hot when they're on. If the bulb is shot and it's cool there is absolutely no problem changing it with the fixture powered up. Just like changing a regular light bulb. Don't look right at it when it comes on either....lol

 

[jcrack_corn]

this is a bad idea for lots of reasons.....heat as already mentioned, but also when you screw the new bulb in you will be blasted by UV light.

why is there no disconnect/switch for the light? how do you change the capacitor when it goes bad?

 

[DannyT]

do these lights burn all day long?

 

[J. V.]

If you cannot turn off the fixture without turning off the main breaker, I would find a way to get a switch installed first. While the power is out, you can change your bulb then.

 

[mpoulton]

There has to be a breaker for it. If not, then it doesn't have overcurrent protection and that's a very dangerous problem. Perhaps you just don't know which breaker it's on? With that said, I'd just change it hot. HPS lamps don't even produce much light at startup; they have to warm up before they're bright enough to be unpleasant. Just don't stick your fingers in the socket.

 

[CheapCharlie]

There has to be a breaker for it. If not, then it doesn't have overcurrent protection and that's a very dangerous problem. Perhaps you just don't know which breaker it's on? With that said, I'd just change it hot. HPS lamps don't even produce much light at startup; they have to warm up before they're bright enough to be unpleasant. Just don't stick your fingers in the socket.

They may not get bright right away, but they're bright enough at startup to leave you seeing spots. I've changed lots. And depending on how many lights you have on a circuit, a simple switch may not do. You may need a lighting contactor.

Grab a thick glove, change it out. Don't look right at it when it's close to being screwed in all the way. Simple.

 

[lightinggod]

I am going to disagree with the responses above. I'm a lighting tech and change hot hps lamps frequently. I use a silicone oven mitt, and have had zero problems. I say go ahead, but keep in mind that those things are wicked hot.

 

[J. V.]

I am going to disagree with the responses above. I'm a lighting tech and change hot hps lamps frequently.

What is a lighting tech. A janitor with a ladder? This is a DIY site. I am going disagree with you as you could get someone hurt. I change ballasts hot all the time. Does that make it right? No.

 

[lightinggod]

What is a lighting tech. A janitor with a ladder? This is a DIY site. I am going disagree with you as you could get someone hurt. I change ballasts hot all the time. Does that make it right? No.

No, you non reading son of a beachnut, I have been in the lighting industry in service positions for 25 years. Who do you think you are? Nobody was talking about changing ballasts hot, the original comment was about changing lamps without de-energizing the fixture. Where did you learn reading comprehension? Why don't you go play with your wirenuts?