stupid question, what do the ballasts do?
- Thread starter sinful
- Start date
alizarin
New member
According to Wikipedia it limits current drawn by the lamp and if it's electronic it also changes the frequency it runs at. I prefer to believe it's just a magic box that makes my tubes glow.
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballast_(electrical)
Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballast_(electrical)
I went to the same place:
An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to control the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit.
Ballasts vary greatly in complexity. They can be as simple as a series resistor as commonly used with small neon lamps. For higher-power installations, too much energy would be wasted in a resistive ballast, so alternatives are used that depend upon the reactance of inductors, capacitors, or both. Finally, ballasts can be as complex as the computerized, remote-controlled electronic ballasts used with fluorescent lamps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_ballast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdriven_fluorescent_light
An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to control the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit.
Ballasts vary greatly in complexity. They can be as simple as a series resistor as commonly used with small neon lamps. For higher-power installations, too much energy would be wasted in a resistive ballast, so alternatives are used that depend upon the reactance of inductors, capacitors, or both. Finally, ballasts can be as complex as the computerized, remote-controlled electronic ballasts used with fluorescent lamps.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_ballast
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overdriven_fluorescent_light
2swift
New member
Lighting Reference Guide â€"œ Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
8 Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
a. General
Definition
A ballast is a device used with a gas discharge lamp to provide the necessary starting and operating electrical conditions.
Function
The ballast supplies the right voltage to start and operate the lamp.
The ballast limits current to a gas discharge lamp during operation â€"œ the resistance of a gas discharge lamp becomes negligible once the arc has been struck.
The ballast prevents any voltage or current fluctuations caused by the arc discharge from reflecting into the line circuit.
The ballast compensates for the low power factor characteristic of the arc discharge.
Ballast Construction
A simple standard ballast is a core and coil assembly.
The core is made of laminated transformer steel.
The coil consists of copper or aluminum wire which is wound around the core.
The coreâ€"œcoil assembly is impregnated with a nonconductor to provide electrical insulation and aid in heat dissipation.
Capacitors may be included in the ballast circuit to assist in providing sufficient voltage, start the lamp, and/or correct power factor.
Some ballasts are housed inside the lighting fixture.
Simple Ballast Illustrations
Typical Wiring Diagrams
Ballast Losses
A ballast, as an electric circuit, has electric energy losses.
Ballast losses are obtained from catalogues of ballast manufacturers.
Energy efficient ballasts have lower losses.
Types
Basic types of ballasts based on ballast construction and efficiency are:
energy efficient ballasts (coreâ€"œcoil magnetic);
electronic ballasts (solidâ€"œstate);
standard magnetic ballast (coreâ€"œcoil design).
Ballasts are also classified by the type and function of their electric circuit.
Note that electroâ€"œmagnetic fluorescent ballasts are gradually being removed from the market place by energy regulations.
Each ballast is designed to be used with a specific type and size (wattage) of lamp.
The lamp type and size compatible with the ballast are listed on the ballast label.
8 Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
a. General
Definition
A ballast is a device used with a gas discharge lamp to provide the necessary starting and operating electrical conditions.
Function
The ballast supplies the right voltage to start and operate the lamp.
The ballast limits current to a gas discharge lamp during operation â€"œ the resistance of a gas discharge lamp becomes negligible once the arc has been struck.
The ballast prevents any voltage or current fluctuations caused by the arc discharge from reflecting into the line circuit.
The ballast compensates for the low power factor characteristic of the arc discharge.
Ballast Construction
A simple standard ballast is a core and coil assembly.
The core is made of laminated transformer steel.
The coil consists of copper or aluminum wire which is wound around the core.
The coreâ€"œcoil assembly is impregnated with a nonconductor to provide electrical insulation and aid in heat dissipation.
Capacitors may be included in the ballast circuit to assist in providing sufficient voltage, start the lamp, and/or correct power factor.
Some ballasts are housed inside the lighting fixture.
Simple Ballast Illustrations
Typical Wiring Diagrams
Ballast Losses
A ballast, as an electric circuit, has electric energy losses.
Ballast losses are obtained from catalogues of ballast manufacturers.
Energy efficient ballasts have lower losses.
Types
Basic types of ballasts based on ballast construction and efficiency are:
energy efficient ballasts (coreâ€"œcoil magnetic);
electronic ballasts (solidâ€"œstate);
standard magnetic ballast (coreâ€"œcoil design).
Ballasts are also classified by the type and function of their electric circuit.
Note that electroâ€"œmagnetic fluorescent ballasts are gradually being removed from the market place by energy regulations.
Each ballast is designed to be used with a specific type and size (wattage) of lamp.
The lamp type and size compatible with the ballast are listed on the ballast label.
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