Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High Pressure

Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies

Contents:
Section 1 — Overview..............................................................................................................2
Section 2 — Apparatus.............................................................................................................3
Section 3 — Safety Note ..........................................................................................................4
Section 4 — Consecutive Testing.............................................................................................5
Section 5 — Preparing Oscilloscope ........................................................................................6
Section 6 — Procedures............................................................................................................7
Section 7 — Completing Lighting Assemblies ........................................................................8
Section 8 — Calculations .........................................................................................................9
Section 9 — Failure of Assemblies ........................................................................................10

Texas Department of Transportation 1 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 1 — Overview

Section 1
Overview
This method describes the apparatus and procedures used to determine the electrical
characteristics of electronic starting aids designed to start high-pressure sodium vapor
lighting assemblies.

This method replaces Test Method "Tex-878-B, Electronic Starting Aids of High Pressure
Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies."

Texas Department of Transportation 2 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 2 — Apparatus

Section 2
Apparatus
See Test Method "Tex-1130-T, Ballasts of Lighting Assemblies" for list of apparatus.

Texas Department of Transportation 3 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 3 — Safety Note

Section 3
Safety Note
Refer to 'Safety Note' in the "Overview" of this manual.

Texas Department of Transportation 4 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 4 — Consecutive Testing

Section 4
Consecutive Testing
Testing of starting aids should be conducted consecutively with ballast performance tests
described in Test Method "Tex-1130-T, Ballasts of Lighting Assemblies," with Test Method
Tex-1130-T performed first.

Texas Department of Transportation 5 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 5 — Preparing Oscilloscope

Section 5
Preparing Oscilloscope
Adjust the center display base line of the oscilloscope for all channels.

Texas Department of Transportation 6 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 6 — Procedures

Section 6
Procedures

Starting Peak Current

The following table details the steps for testing the assembly against specification
requirements.
Starting Peak Current
Step Action
1 Readings for this test are taken during the period before the starting aid re-ignites the hot
lamp.
2 Press the appropriate test switch.
3 Read the starting voltage directly from the oscilloscope screen.
4 Calculate the starting peak current and record on test sheet.

Starting Pulse Test

The following table details the steps for testing the assembly against specification
requirements.
Starting Pulse Test
Step Action
1 The starting pulse may be either positive or negative, or both, with respect to the center
display base line. For testing, use a positive pulse(s).
2 Read the peak voltage amplitude of a starting pulse and record on test sheet.
3 Read the width of the starting pulse at the specified voltage level and record on test sheet.
4 Calculate the pulse rate and record on test sheet.
5 Read the starting pulse delay from the center display base line crossing of the waveform and
record on test sheet.
6 Turn transformer knob to zero as indicated on the reference dial.
7 Remove power from test bench.

Texas Department of Transportation 7 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 7 — Completing Lighting Assemblies

Section 7
Completing Lighting Assemblies
Follow 'Tagging/Labeling, Documenting and Shipping General Requirements' as detailed in
the "Overview" of this manual.

Texas Department of Transportation 8 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 8 — Calculations

Section 8
Calculations
Use the following calculations to determine starting pulse location.

Starting peak current = Starting voltage /2.0 ohms

Pulse rate = number of pulses per cycle

Starting pulse location:

angle = (180 de g ree gdelay / 8.333) − 90 de g rees

Where:
• Angle = the pulse location in electrical degrees from the center of the open circuit
voltage wave.
• Delay = number of milliseconds between the starting pulse and the point where the
voltage wave crosses the zero axis.

The center of the voltage wave is 90 degrees or 4.167 milliseconds past the zero crossing.

Texas Department of Transportation 9 TxDOT 08/1999

Tex-1140-T, Electronic Starting Aids of High
Pressure Sodium Vapor Lighting Assemblies Section 9 — Failure of Assemblies

Section 9
Failure of Assemblies
Any assembly that fails to meet specification will be rejected and the lot represented by that
assembly shall also be rejected.

Texas Department of Transportation 10 TxDOT 08/1999