[willed]

While working on a parking lot light, with a multi tap ballast, wired to 208 volts. I get 120 volts from the black to ground, then 120volts from neutral to ground, but nothing from the 2 hot legs. Bad Breaker?

[stanfortyman]

While working on a parking lot light, with a multi tap ballast, wired to 208 volts. I get 120 volts from the black to ground, then 120volts from neutral to ground, but nothing from the 2 hot legs. Bad Breaker?

There is no neutral in a 208V circuit. A you just calling the white the neutral?
Did it work before? New installation? Tell us more about this.

Also, are you an electrician? Someone without the proper experience, licensing and insurance should definitely not be working on parking lot lights.

[donf]

Are you sure you are working on a 208v circuit because what you described was a two wire cable being used as a 240v supply, not a 208v.

[stanfortyman]

Are you sure you are working on a 208v circuit because what you described was a two wire cable being used as a 240v supply, not a 208v.

Don, many if not most commercial 3-phases systems are 120/208V, as opposed to 120/240V.

[willed]

I am a Licensed journeyman sign electrician, insured through the company I work for. Yes it is a 208 volt system, all other lights on the property work are on 208 volts. I was calling the white wire as neutral. That wire is in the head where the ballast is. This is an existing parking lot light, actually 2 poles are not working, all others working.

[stanfortyman]

Are there fuses in the base of the poles?
Did you check any lighting contactors?
Half tripped breakers?

You're probably getting hot on both legs because of a backfeed through the other poles.