Notice the browned lens. Very common on these fixture around here. I've reported it, but they don't seem to want to change the lens. Got a dim merc, too.
Hmm. Your utility sure doesn't like to simply replace a browned out refractor. It's a shame that just because the refractor is bad, the whole light is replaced.
Aside from the lens, this light also had trouble starting. It would flicker for a long time before actually starting up. Maybe it needed a new lamp? The browned lens seriously affected the light output, the new HPS gives out a lot of light.
Yeah the browned lens really does block lots of light. I kinda like the look of them though. Maybe the electrodes in the lamp were weakening. I don't know much about the internals of lamps. Maybe the ballast was on its way out..... sometimes if the wiring is frayed (lots of older fistures used cloth wiring), they might replace the fixture. That happens sometimes here.
I was told by two different people at ComEd that the lenses are intentionally blackened because residents complain that the lights are too bright and shine into their homes. Not sure if I buy that. Either way this light was replaced with a 150w HPS, which I was told should not have happened.
Then ask them why is it only the plastic ones are the ones "browned" while the glass ones aren't and explain to them that you know about the UV coming out of MV and Poly plastics easily yellow when prolonged exposed to the UV rays!
My area does replace refractors......although PEPCO doesn't
Allegheny Power doesn't always replace browned out refractors in their older streetlights either though there was a MV L-150 that I reported recently that was out and they replaced the browned out refractor with a GE refractor.
Curiously it's the complete opposite in my area! Utilities often USELESSLY replace refractors! Most of the time the plastic refractor goes and a new glass refractor is installed.
my utility does more replacement's now,but an ocassional servicing of mercury fixtures is still seen...they replaced a browned nema refractor with a new one a year ago.
and there was a Nema with an aging lamp that got a new lamp....the lamp still put a decent amount of light but would flicker erratically and even go out before warming up all the way.
The 113 I got was just recently taken down when I got it, the guy who was in the truck which was loaded with new cobraheads was nice to let me have the old 113.
My area does replace refractors......although PEPCO doesn't
and there was a Nema with an aging lamp that got a new lamp....the lamp still put a decent amount of light but would flicker erratically and even go out before warming up all the way.