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!

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.

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....