Abstract: An ignitor monitoring device is provided which is enclosed within a housing to allow for portability while testing high intensity discharge (HID) luminaires. The device is placed in the lamp socket with the lamp removed, and measures the open circuit voltage across the ignitor, as well as the ignitor's ignition pulse. If the ignitor monitoring device detects adequate voltage to enable ignition of the lamp, the LED illuminates; otherwise, the LED fails to illuminate, and the operator can begin troubleshooting by replacing the ignitor and re-testing the luminaire, or testing the source, among other troubleshooting methods known in the art. A first housing employs a plunging mechanism that allows the operator to insert the monitoring device into the lamp socket with ample pressure to ensure electrical conduction between the device and the luminaire.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for operating one of a plurality of lamps employed within a luminaire via a single ballast, thereby extending the operational life of the luminaire. The operating lamp disables the lamps downstream from itself by preventing current from conducting through lamps other than the operating lamp. The lamps upstream from the operating lamp typically lack a sufficient voltage for ignition and operation. However, if any of the upstream lamps begin to operate, the lamps operating downstream cease to operate. In the event that two lamps begin to operate in an asymmetric manner, a capacitor is preferably provided to maintain a reverse voltage with respect to the output of the ballast, thus ensuring reduced voltage across the rectified lamps until one lamp extinguishes and the second lamp begins to operate.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing auxiliary power to a lighting system for heavy equipment during interruptions of power from a 250 volt direct current (DC) power supply is provided. The DC power supply is the only power source available to discharge lamps provided on the heavy equipment. The energy storage banks are provided between the power supply and a ballast for operating a gas discharge lamp. The energy storage banks store energy and provide the reserved energy to the ballast when the supply voltage to the ballast decreases below a level necessary for sustaining operating of the discharge lamp. The energy storage banks can comprise capacitors arranged in various series and parallel circuits and a blocking rectifier to prevent non-lighting loads on the heavy equipment from draining the energy storage banks.