Purpose of L (Live) and N (Neutral) Markings on Osram Electronic Ballast Connections

I warmly welcome! he writes right away that I am a complete layman in the field of electricity, but I have encountered such a problem, maybe someone will help me .. by installing a fluorescent lamp with Osram's electronic ballast, I have written on the L and N inputs since the current is alternating (I know), why differentiate on L and N what will happen if I connect the other way? can someone explain it to me?

Thank you very much to all professionals for their understanding ..

L - phase
N - neutral wire (zero)

Why differentiate? Well, probably for convenience, as there is a well-designed network and we have 3 cables ... one black (or brown), 1 blue and 1 green-yellow, it's fun to work knowing that green-yellow is PE, blue is neutral (N) and only brown or black can kill us ^^
the functionality of the network does not change, but the aesthetics are 'slightly'

Touching the L conductor can kill you, touching the N conductor shouldn't kill you, and that's the difference between them. In the case of receivers, it does not matter which wire we will give N and which L, not too much for an ordinary user, but for installers, yes. And I will add that in the 3f installation, the replacement of the N and L conductors is very important .

Hello,
Complementing the statements of colleagues, for example, the power supply in the computer has a fuse on the L. If the power socket is properly connected (i.e. looking at the pin at the top, L on the left, N on the right), then in this power supply, after the fuse blows on the board, there is no phases. If you have the opposite, there is a phase on the entire power supply board. And when there is no protection cable in the socket, mains voltage may appear on the computer casing!

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GROUND THE 230V OUTLET IF THE DEVICES HAVE SUCH EARTH PLUG!

Again, looking at the 230V socket: If the pin at the top is L on the left and N on the right!

best regards

kamo_83 wrote:

I warmly welcome! he writes right away that I am a complete layman in the field of electricity, but I have encountered such a problem, maybe someone will help me .. by installing a fluorescent lamp with Osram's electronic ballast, I have written on the L and N inputs since the current is alternating (I know), why differentiate on L and N what will happen if I connect the other way? can someone explain it to me?

Thank you very much to all professionals for their understanding ..

Because, despite the alternation of current, the phase, i.e. L, is directly connected to the voltage source - the transformer winding.
N - that is, zero, is connected to the transformer neutral point.
This means that on the L, while the current is not flowing, you have a constantly dangerous potential - in short.
On N, this potential is much lower.
Therefore, the manufacturer means where you should connect the wires, because some home-grown neon lamp expert would give the phase to the housing and hurt someone.
And when he does it, and the sex flows, it will not make any difference to the connected person whether the current changes and from which side ...

einstal wrote:

Hello,
Complementing the statements of colleagues, for example, the power supply in the computer has a fuse on the L. If the power socket is properly connected (i.e. looking at the pin at the top, L on the left, N on the right), then in this power supply, after the fuse blows on the board, there is no phases. If you have the opposite, there is a phase on the entire power supply board. And when there is no protection cable in the socket, mains voltage may appear on the computer casing!

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GROUND THE 230V OUTLET IF THE DEVICES HAVE SUCH EARTH PLUG!

Again, looking at the 230V socket: If the pin at the top is L on the left and N on the right!

best regards

It's not exactly like you write.
The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else. Example: double socket, phase wire connected on the left side: plug inserted at the bottom - phase on the left; plug inserted from above: phase on the right.

Kanar wrote:

einstal wrote:

Hello,
Complementing the statements of colleagues, for example, the power supply in the computer has a fuse on the L. If the power socket is properly connected (i.e. looking at the pin at the top, L on the left, N on the right), then in this power supply, after the fuse blows on the board, there is no phases. If you have the opposite, there is a phase on the entire power supply board. And when there is no protection cable in the socket, mains voltage may appear on the computer casing!

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GROUND THE 230V OUTLET IF THE DEVICES HAVE SUCH EARTH PLUG!

Again, looking at the 230V socket: If the pin at the top is L on the left and N on the right!

best regards

It's not exactly like you write.
The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else. Example: double socket, phase wire connected on the left side: plug inserted at the bottom - phase on the left; plug inserted from above: phase on the right.

But this is the case of a bygone era when this principle was not respected in Poland ... ... and that's how we got it ...
See, check, similar nests at their western neighbors, or in Hameryce ...

thank you for your answers I understand that it does not matter much for the system itself .. ie the ballast circuit will not be damaged if I connect it differently .. The LN designation is used for safety reasons .. so that someone does not accidentally connect to the current .. is he reasoning correctly?

Hello
safety as well, but there are cases where L and N must be in their places, e.g. some gas stoves and gas water heaters. Besides, in electric boilers, if L was not turned off by the thermostat, the heater would be energized all the time, the breakdown of the heater insulation could lead to until the boiler explodes.

Hello,
Buddy Kamo_83, you get it right. For your safety, in such systems that you build (prototype) you can use fuses on two wires L and N - e.g. 1Amper. After checking the correctness of operation, connect to the installation without fuses.

Good luck in discovering the secrets of electrics.

Kanar wrote:

einstal wrote:

Hello,
Complementing the statements of colleagues, for example, the power supply in the computer has a fuse on the L. If the power socket is properly connected (i.e. looking at the pin at the top, L on the left, N on the right), then in this power supply, after the fuse blows on the board, there is no phases. If you have the opposite, there is a phase on the entire power supply board. And when there is no protection cable in the socket, mains voltage may appear on the computer casing!

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GROUND THE 230V OUTLET IF THE DEVICES HAVE SUCH EARTH PLUG!

Again, looking at the 230V socket: If the pin at the top is L on the left and N on the right!

best regards

It's not exactly like you write.
The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else. Example: double socket, phase wire connected on the left side: plug inserted at the bottom - phase on the left; plug inserted from above: phase on the right.

Buddy Kanar, can you develop the thought: 'connecting the socket proves something else'

There are double sockets that follow this rule - but they are more expensive. Personally, in such cases, I try to use single sockets, and use an extension cord to separate the receivers. In any case, it is important to connect the protective conductor (PE or PEN) to the pin.
You have to ask yourself what is more important, Comfort or SAFETY? I bet on the latter!

best regards

Thank you very much for the fact that such a large group of experts answered the question of the rookie that I undoubtedly am .. your tips are very important and interesting, although I do not fully understand everything

I have a request..
Could someone else help me with some information about lighting, ballasts, fluorescent lamps .. I mean practical information from professionals and not theoretical information incomprehensible to the average bread eater Is there any good literature on this matter? advise ..

I hope for interesting entries so far

I recommend reading: http://bezel.com.pl/instalacje.html

If you don't understand something, ask. In my opinion, it is best to learn from the relationships of life. Theory is important, but you won't understand it without practice.

Good luck

This is the Osram ballast .. there is L and N, since it does not matter where we give L and where N because the current is alternating, why the manufacturer puts such a marking ... so that he is not shocked by electricity during the assembly / disassembly of such a contraption maybe that's why not to give L to N because it could give the current on the ballast housing .. the ballast itself would work normally .. sorry for maybe stupid questions ... for professionals this may seem like a horror .. but thank you for your understanding :)

Added after 4 [minutes]:

nice site I'm already checking out

If the manufacturer has marked L and N, it matters.
For example: the transformer has a thermal 105'C on the contact marked 1 or L, there is no phase in this transformer after such protection is activated! Transf. it could have been flooded with water beforehand so the temperature rose and everything is OK. Now reverse the situation - the phase will be on the transformer housing even when the protection is triggered.

In the case of your ballast, there is definitely documentation on the basis of which standards it was built and what it is secured. has.

PS
Is the housing metal? Is the word "PE" or the symbol "earth"?

the housing is metal .. there is no PE or earthing symbol .. and I have read that it should be earthed e.g. by using a screw with a crown washer if it is attached to a metal lighting fixture ... additional such fixture should be earthed with a PE or PEN protective conductor .. just will anyone tell me what is this subtle difference between PE and PEN? .. because if the ballast is grounded .. to the luminaire and it is connected with a protective conductor, even if we replace L with N and there is a voltage on the ballast housing, it will be discharged through the protective conductor anyway, right? I don't know if he reasoned well ..

-in the new PE installation, it is yellow-green connected at the network division point (see the diagrams from the link I gave you), while N is the working wire. The blue wire should be treated like a phase wire, but that's another story for a dozen or so posts.
- in old installations, the PEN is one conductor fulfilling two functions, protective and working. A more emergency solution when it comes to SAFETY!

In the second case (.. because the ballast is grounded ..) it is different. The N connector is not connected to the ballast housing.

I have already figured out what the LN designation is for .. maybe it's because this ballast turns off after exceeding the operating temperature .. well, if we replace L with N, then the protection may not work and the ballast will get stuck.

... yes, but these will be extreme emergencies, e.g. water in the device. Most often, the protection works and everything is OK even with a wrong connection.

kamo_83 wrote:

thank you for your answers I understand that it does not matter much for the system itself .. ie the ballast circuit will not be damaged if I connect it differently .. The LN designation is used for safety reasons .. so that someone does not accidentally connect to the current .. is he reasoning correctly?

Almost. For some devices, it is essential that L and N are correctly entered. There are also regulations and good habits, which are aimed at, among other things, that someone does not connect to the electricity, and that there is some order, and not everyone himself.

Quarz wrote:

Kanar wrote:

... The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else. Example: double socket, phase wire connected on the left side: plug inserted at the bottom - phase on the left; plug inserted from above: phase on the right.

But this is the case of a bygone era when this principle was not respected in Poland ... ... and that's how we got it ...
...

such sockets are still available for sale, for example those produced by Polo Optima
and therefore if the company does not realize that it produces dud, you should not buy it in order not to hurt someone or yourself

... such a socket is unfortunately a standard. And because it does not cost much!

einstal wrote:

Hello,
Buddy Kamo_83, you get it right. For your safety, in such systems that you build (prototype) you can use fuses on two wires L and N - e.g. 1Amper. After checking the correctness of operation, connect to the installation without fuses.

Good luck in discovering the secrets of electrics.

Kanar wrote:

einstal wrote:

Hello,
Complementing the statements of colleagues, for example, the power supply in the computer has a fuse on the L. If the power socket is properly connected (i.e. looking at the pin at the top, L on the left, N on the right), then in this power supply, after the fuse blows on the board, there is no phases. If you have the opposite, there is a phase on the entire power supply board. And when there is no protection cable in the socket, mains voltage may appear on the computer casing!

THEREFORE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GROUND THE 230V OUTLET IF THE DEVICES HAVE SUCH EARTH PLUG!

Again, looking at the 230V socket: If the pin at the top is L on the left and N on the right!

best regards

It's not exactly like you write.
The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else. Example: double socket, phase wire connected on the left side: plug inserted at the bottom - phase on the left; plug inserted from above: phase on the right.

Buddy Kanar, can you develop the thought: 'connecting the socket proves something else'

There are double sockets that follow this rule - but they are more expensive. Personally, in such cases, I try to use single sockets, and use an extension cord to separate the receivers. In any case, it is important to connect the protective conductor (PE or PEN) to the pin.
You have to ask yourself what is more important, Comfort or SAFETY? I bet on the latter!

best regards

Hello:
https://www.elektroda.pl/rtvforum/topic1006972.html

Why are device descriptions used, eg "L", "N", 1, 2, ...?
And if they were not there and there were no instructions?
I don't expect an answer.

The essence of this problem is the ADDRESS, eg Name, Path.
For me, L and N are the familiar paths in a device called ballast.

Hello friend Kanar,
I still do not have the developed thought of my colleague: "The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else"

My colleague Wirnick's most likely point is that the terminals in the device have to be named somehow. For example, so that the designer of a larger device using a given component could draw a project in which he has a specific wire of the cable connected to a specific terminal, and not otherwise. And so that the electrician assembling the device does not have to wonder which wire to connect to where.

Ad the merits: this ballast probably doesn't care where it gets in phase and where it gets neutral. If it is otherwise, it is written about it in the documentation. It could possibly be the following:
1. safety cut-off (eg thermal) - it would be good if it cuts off the phase, not N. Although it seems that since it cuts it off, it should cut everything off.
2. internal electronic connections: it would be good to have the ground of the electronics connected with the N, not the phase. For example, due to potential EMC disturbances.
As for power sockets: I do not want to generate another flame, but ... Gentlemen, connecting the phase on the left side of the socket is a custom, not a standard requirement. Devices connected detachably to a typical mains socket MUST be so designed that they work properly when connected in reverse.

Sorry that I used capital letters, it was due to my lack of knowledge .. I did not forum before :)

Added after 2 [minutes]:

What is EMC interference? in short

And uncle google and aunt wikipedia said:
LINK

einstal wrote:

Hello friend Kanar,
I still do not have the developed thought of my colleague: "The phase on the left side of the socket has nothing to do with the correct connection of the socket, it proves something else"

Hello friend.
I will quote a quote from the topic whose link I sent:
"As for the positioning of the left phase, I think it is just one of the principles of professional installation work and indicates that the installer is in order.

There is no such provision in Poland, but as far as I know, it is in some (some) western country. "

A colleague Kamo_83 runs the topic about electronic ballast and it should
connect to the network as required by the manufacturer.


If the PIN UPPER is L on the left and N on the right! this way
plugging wires in sockets is very important in networks
computer so as not to eliminate security and filters, nor
pose a threat, it is also important for surveyors - because it is significant
the way facilitates the taking of measurements.
Imagine a filter in power electronic devices
installed between L and PE. It is compact (at the PEN split point) if N
it is on the left side of the nest - as if it was not there.
Someone will say that he is with our western neighbors
otherwise, but this is already their problem, they surely solved it somehow too
by means of an extensive filter or security. The English, for example
install a fuse (L) in a 230V power plug - is it wasteful?

I would like to add that these rules are transferred to the new ones
appliances (fridge, washing machine, TV) due to the greater number
microcontrollers that couldn't work properly without these
solutions. More and more often I notice a fuse or a narrowing of the path
printed on the phase (L) power cord - significantly improves safety.

Does my colleague Kanar think that such socket connection is not safer?

A colleague Kanar quotes from the topic:
"As for the positioning of the left phase, I think it is ... -this is it thinking or stating a fact?
And is there really no such law, regulation or standard? . .... 707


best regards