Can I use 600w socket for 250w bulb?

[icough2getoff]

I bought a 250 digital ballast and am wondering if I can use my 600w bulb socket. The bulb fits but I don't want to blow up the bulb or something.

 

[herbal essences]

you can use the socket just not the ballast

 

[messn'n'gommin']

I bought a 250 digital ballast and am wondering if I can use my 600w bulb socket. The bulb fits but I don't want to blow up the bulb or something.

Typically, the bigger sockets are rated by voltage and not by wattage (3KV, 4kv, 5kv, etc). To fire an HID bulb, an initial massive jolt of electricity is shot through the system, the socket has to withstand a huge amount of power all at once, regardless of bulb wattage. As long as the rating is equal to or greater than the initial amount of power required to fire that particular bulb, you will be ok. So, ya, hooking up a 250w ballast and bulb to a socket that is ok to fire a 600w setup should be no problem.

Namaste, mess

 

[pezoholic]

still they (the big retailers) really only sell 6kv ones

 

[icough2getoff]

Looks like it's working so far. Thanks for the help everyone