220vac Neutral Wire

[cloudhopper]

Hi my pal brought a 220VAC 600W light ballast over from the States and there is a warning placard stating that using this with a neutral wire will damage the circuitry. I believe that the 220VAC in the States has 2 hot leads and a ground from which 110VAC is derived by using any one hot lead and a neutral/ground (then load balancing both hot leads as much as possible). Here however I believe that we indeed have 220 vs a neutral and could possibly damage his ballast (how exactly is not clear to me). Anyway do any of you electricians out there know what a fix might be? Possibly a 1:1 isolation transformer (if they are even available here)? Would plugging his light into a locally made voltage regulator suffice?

Thanks!

[Crossy]

Is this an electronic ballast? If not you have issues other than the voltage as it will be designed to run on 60Hz power, in Thailand it is 220V 50Hz. Running a 60Hz ballast on 50Hz WILL fry it

If it's electronic then the frequency is not an issue but it's been designed for a split 110-0-110 supply. You ought to be able to get and use an isolating transformer.

Can you post a photo of the unit, maybe we can come up with circuits and decide if it really will be fried by a 220-0 supply.

[cloudhopper]

The unit looks like the same ballasts on the 400W halide exterior area lights at Home Pro with integral heat sink. It is spec'd for 220-240VAC 50-60Hz. 3 prong plug.

Thanks I'll have him look for an isolation transformer. Just curious though why/how a unit could be damaged by a 220-0 vs a 110-110 configured mains....