There are two types of lighting ballasts in use: electronic and magnetic. Most modern installations use electronic ballasts, but there are still plenty of legacy systems using magnetic-type ballasts, and they are still available from some specialist suppliers. They are gradually being phased out, however, typically as they are replaced. If you’re simply replacing fluorescent tubes with LED ones, however, it’s important that you know which type of ballast is in use, as you’ll need to use the correct type of tube. Alternatively, you can choose LED tubes designed for universal lighting ballasts, so it doesn’t matter which kind is present.
Electronic Ballasts
What are Electronic Ballasts?
Electronic ballasts are the modern type of fluorescent tube ballast and have been in production since the 1990s. They are superior in almost every way to the old-style magnetic ballasts. First, they are much more efficient than magnetic ones, as they have finer control over the way the power comes in and goes out of the unit. The efficiency is also partly because they run much cooler. Needless heat generation is always inefficient, so cool running helps keep costs down and reduces the risk of overheating or damaging surrounding materials over time. They should also increase the lifespan of the lamp.
These modern ballasts are also smaller and lighter, which means that light-fitting designers can make lower profile, sleeker designs, and they can theoretically be fitted with less engineering to bear their weight (although in practice that’s a marginal advantage). As far as daily use is concerned, they are much quieter to run – the typical “buzz” of a fluorescent tube isn’t caused by the tube itself, but by the ballast. It also doesn’t require a starter, as the starting current boost is created electronically rather than through a separate physical device.
On the negative side, they are more expensive to purchase, although the cost is offset over the lifespan thanks to lower energy consumption. There’s also the potential for interference from nearby electronic devices, although this is rarely a practical concern in normal use. Poorly made electronic ballasts can suffer if there’s a power surge, but good quality lighting ballasts will have surge protection built in.
FAQs
Magnetic ballasts are typically used in reactors using medium pressure (MP) lamps. Electronic Ballast: Electronic ballasts are composed of several electronic components which act together as a switching power supply.
How do I know if my ballast is electronic or magnetic? ›
Method One - Use your smart phone camera
Stand under the light or a place close to the light and point your cell phone camera at the light. If you can see some strong dark strips flickering in your camera, it must be a magnetic ballast based light. Otherwise it should be an electronic ballast based light.
Can an electronic ballast replace a magnetic ballast? ›
Fortunately, compatibility isn't really an issue, as most electronic ballasts have been designed to replace existing magnetic ballasts. A preferable electronic ballast is the T8 model. This option has several advantages over the T10 and T12, including improved lighting efficiency.
Are magnetic ballasts being discontinued? ›
Many manufacturers have already ceased production of magnetic ballasts in anticipation of the phase-out. Energy efficient ballasts are a cornerstone in the effort to decrease energy consumption.
Why are electronic ballasts required in new installations rather than magnetic types? ›
Without a doubt, the electronic ballast type provides the best energy consumption as it provides a regulated flow of power without wasting energy on choking and heating up. They are pretty much standard nowadays for new fluorescent tube installations.
Which is better, magnetic or electronic ballast? ›
Electronic ballasts are more efficient and more compact in size and weight. They also provide the ability for continuous power adjustment at different settings.
How can you tell if an electronic ballast is bad? ›
When a ballast starts failing, it will typically buzz or causes the bulbs to flicker. These issues can sometimes happen while it is operating as expected, so it's important to check the equipment before assuming a replacement is necessary.
What is the life expectancy of a magnetic ballast? ›
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 magnetic ballasts wear out? ›
This is especially true for older lighting installations and is something that you should definitely be aware of if your home is more than a couple of decades old In particular, the magnetic ballast is a key component of older fluorescent lighting systems and is one common point of failure that can prevent you from ...
What does a magnetic ballast look like? ›
Magnetic ballast is actually an inductive coil. It actually looks like a transformer, a copper wire wound over a core material. Inductors are generally used to oppose a change in current passing through them.
Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. PCB-containing ballasts become a concern if they are leaking or they will be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste. According to EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations, the material must be incinerated.
Will LED tubes work with magnetic ballast? ›
As is suggested by the name, they are intended to work with electronic ballast installations. So they won't function without ballasts or with magnetic ballasts. According to industry data, just this combination accounts for more than 1.2 billion tube lights, since they continue to become more and more popular.
How do I know if I have T8 or T12? ›
A T12 lamp (on the left in the figure below) is therefore twelve-eighths of an inch, or one-and-one-half inches (3.81 cm), in diameter. A T8 lamp (on the right in the figure below) is eight-eighths of an inch, or one inch (2.54 cm), in diameter.
Can you replace magnetic ballast with electronic? ›
Yes, you can replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic one, but there are several considerations and steps to take into account.
How do I know if a ballast is compatible? ›
The tube diameter, package description and the product code (PC) on a ballast can all be used to determine the type of lamp it is compatible with.
How do I know what kind of ballast I need? ›
Consider Lighting Requirements and Lamp Compability
Before choosing ballasts, check your lamp types. Different ballasts are designed for different lamp types, such as T5, T8, or T12 fluorescent lamps and HID lamps. Be sure to check the manufacturer's specifications for recommended lamp types and wattages.
What is the difference between electronic and non electronic ballast? ›
An electronic ballast can be smaller and lighter than a comparably rated magnetic one. An electronic ballast is usually quieter than a magnetic one, which produces a line-frequency hum by vibration of the core laminations.
How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast? ›
T8 = 1-inch diameter. T12 = 1-1/2-inch diameter.
