A magnetic ballast (also called a choke) contains
a coil of copper wire
. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire.
How does an electronic fluorescent ballast work?
In its simplest form, a ballast uses
magnetic energy that erupts into the lamp when it is turned on
, stimulating the electrodes to make a current and the lamp glows.
What is in an electronic ballast?
An electronic ballast
uses solid state electronic circuitry to provide the proper starting and operating electrical conditions to power discharge lamps
. An electronic ballast can be smaller and lighter than a comparably-rated magnetic one.
What is the difference between a magnetic ballast and an electronic ballast?
A magnetic ballast uses coiled wire and creates magnetic fields to
transform voltage
. … An electronic ballast uses solid state components to transform voltage. It also changes the frequency of the power from 60 HZ to 20,000 HZ or higher depending on the ballast.
What’s in a light ballast?
They’re usually rectangular black boxes with wires coming out of one or both ends. Lighting ballasts for fluorescent light bulbs and HID lamps made before 1980 may contain
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
. … Fortunately, you can easily tell whether a ballast contains PCBs.
How long do electronic ballasts last?
According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or
12 to 15 years with normal
use.
Do electronic ballasts need starters?
Electronic ballasts do not need starters
so if you are upgrading your fitting from a magnetic to electronic ballast, remember to remove the starter and starter cage.
Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would
rapidly
and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
How do I know if my ballast is T8 or T12?
If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed.
T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch
.
Is ballast and choke same?
The ‘choke’ or
magnetic
‘ballast’ is a coil with a magnetic core (using silicon steel) that performs three functions. The fluorescent lamp has two electrodes at its two ends but the voltage needed for breakdown is very high, much higher than the supply voltage.
How can you tell if an electronic ballast is bad?
- Flickering. …
- Buzzing. …
- Delayed start. …
- Low output. …
- Inconsistent lighting levels. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to T8 linear LED.
How do I know if its the ballast or bulb?
One probe of the
multimeter should touch the hot wire connections
, while the other touches the neutral wire connections. If the ballast is good, an analog multimeter has a needle that will sweep to the right across the measuring scale. If the ballast is bad, then the needle won’t move.
What are the disadvantages of magnetic ballast?
Some disadvantages of the inductive ballast are:
they are less efficient than capacitive ballasts
, they cost more, they weigh more, and they take up more space. Magnetic ballasts are typically used in reactors using medium pressure (MP) lamps.
How do I know if a ballast has PCBs?
Ballasts manufactured between 1979 and 1998 that do not contain PCBs are labeled “No PCBs” If a ballast is not labeled “No PCBs”, it is best to assume it contains PCBs. If the ballast does contain PCBs,
they are located inside the small capacitor or in the surrounding potting material
.
Do I need to remove ballast for LED lights?
A ballast regulates the current that’s coming at a lamp. … A ballast for Light Emitting Diode
(LED) lights is not required
– instead a driver is required. There are two types of ballasts we deal with for existing fluorescent lights- magnetic and electronic.
What do the numbers on a ballast mean?
About Advance Ballasts and Fluorescent Lamps. Advance Ballasts that utilize fluorescent lamps usually come in two shapes, straight and u-shaped. Most fluorescent types are T5, T8, and T12. The T stands for tubular and the number
provides the diameter in 1/8 of an inch
. … Therefore, a T12 ballast must use a T12 bulb.
