Problem: Too many 40 watt fluorescent fixtures with questionable ballasts, sockets, and bulbs.
Theory: Measure the striking voltage of some fluorescent tubes. This would allow discarding tubes that are actually bad, and proof of good tubes to test the ballasts with.
Available equipment: Fluke 27. It has min/max hold, auto range, manual range set, and a limit of 1000 volts. The 1000 volt limit worries me, and the time the meter needs to acquire a valid measurement.
I expect to buy a ballast for this test jig. That allows the option of using a fast switcher or a tradidional 60Hz magnetic ballast. Using a double wide ballast (2 tubes) would be good because I can use it as a replacement ballast after the testing is finished. If using a single tube ballast would make the measurements easier, I can afford that.
Ideas about maybe a "peak sample and hold" for high voltage AC? Other ideas are welcome!
Theory: Measure the striking voltage of some fluorescent tubes. This would allow discarding tubes that are actually bad, and proof of good tubes to test the ballasts with.
Available equipment: Fluke 27. It has min/max hold, auto range, manual range set, and a limit of 1000 volts. The 1000 volt limit worries me, and the time the meter needs to acquire a valid measurement.
I expect to buy a ballast for this test jig. That allows the option of using a fast switcher or a tradidional 60Hz magnetic ballast. Using a double wide ballast (2 tubes) would be good because I can use it as a replacement ballast after the testing is finished. If using a single tube ballast would make the measurements easier, I can afford that.
Ideas about maybe a "peak sample and hold" for high voltage AC? Other ideas are welcome!