How do you get a 120 - 480 Volt ballast to work from a normal outlet?

Answer 1

Most often this ballast is actually 120/277. It could be 120-480 though. Look at the diagram on the ballast itself. Many times there will either be a black/white/green, black/red/white/green, or black/orange/white/green set of primary leads. If the ballast has only black/white/green, but it shows more than one voltage, chances are it is automatically adjusted for the line voltage. In this case, just connect the black/white/green to a typical lighting box, and the ballast will light your lamps. If the ballast has more than one color other than white or green, it is a multi-tapped ballast. Normally the black lead is for 120v line voltage and the red or orange is 277v. Don't assume though, refer to the diagram sticker located on the ballast for this information. Hook up the 120v, neutral, and ground to your lighting box, but be sure to cap the unused 277v lead with a wire nut. ----

If you do not understand the work well enough to accomplish it yourself properly and safely, don't try it. Consult a professional electrician, as they are proficient enough to do it properly and safely. When working on electrical circuits and equipment, make sure to de-energize the circuit you will be working on. Then test the circuit with a definitive means to make sure it is off (multimeter with metal tipped leads, voltage tester with metal tipped leads, etc., not a non-contact tester, which is non-definitive.)