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Help for grounding a ballast

Inko

Member
Hi!
Recently I bought a used ballast but I see now that's not grounded (although I asked for it)

I don't know much on how to do it but I know that I want it grounded.

Here are some pictures, can someone please explain how to do it?

If more data or pictures are needed just say it :)

Europe based.

Thanks in advance

IMG_20200427_120110.jpgIMG_20200427_120103.jpgIMG_20200427_120046.jpgIMG_20200427_120039.jpgIMG_20200427_152736.jpgIMG_20200427_152708.jpgIMG_20200427_120133.jpg
 

Inko

Member
Actually I'm not quite sure if this is the right place to post this topic, if not please can someone suggest in which section it is more appropriate?
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
You have too much bare conductor hanging out of those terminals. Neaten that up it's an arc hazard.

If the ballast had a metal housing then the ground would bond to that so if one of your wire came loose and hit the metal housing it would short to ground and pop the breaker.
 

Inko

Member
You have too much bare conductor hanging out of those terminals. Neaten that up it's an arc hazard.

If the ballast had a metal housing then the ground would bond to that so if one of your wire came loose and hit the metal housing it would short to ground and pop the breaker.
The external part is metal, so just bond the green/yellow cable to it? The whole case will stay in contact with terra-cotta for heat dispersion, is it ok?
Do you think that remove cables, fold the bare part and then plug them in again is sufficient?

Sorry for all the obvious questions but as said I bought it as an already grounded thing and in this period it's difficult to go out and buy stuff :(
 

Renfro

Well-Known Member
Do you think that remove cables, fold the bare part and then plug them in again is sufficient?
Remove, trim off excess length and twist so there isn't any lose copper hanging out of the terminal block.

Last picture, right side, see that little terminal sticking out? Looks like it may have had the ground soldered there in the past but I am not 100% on that. Would wanna look it over. Honestly I wouldn't be too concerned so long as your other connections are firm and not sketchy. The reason for a chassis ground is as I explained before, if power shorts to the housing it pops the breaker (short to ground) instead of making the cabinet energized for when you touch it.
 
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