What Is A Ballast?
An electrical ballast is a device intended to limit the amount of current in an electric
circuit. Ballasts are utilized in fluorescent lighting to limit the flow of current through the tube.
If a ballast was not used, the current would rise to levels that would destruct the fluorescent tube rendering it useless.
Ballasts vary greatly in complexity. They can be as simple as a series resistor as commonly used with small neon lamps or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or complex, computerized, remote controlled electronic ballasts that can often be found in conjunction with fluorescent lamps.
(Wikipedia)
Which Ballast Is The Right Ballast?
Choosing the right ballast Ballast choices can be quite confusing. Here are some of the best choices for ballasts for your energy efficient fluorescent application.
1.Electronic Ballast
Electronic ballasts are about 12 percent more efficient than conventional magnetic ballasts. The electronic ballast eliminates the flicker commonly associated with fluorescent lighting.
The electronic ballast also eliminates the hum that you hear in older style fluorescent lighting. The most efficient units are high-performance ballasts as defined by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.
2.Instant Start Ballast
This is the most efficient type of ballast. With instant start ballasts you must know the burn time of your lamps. Instant-start is a good choice for applications where the lamps burn for 6 hours or more.
With frequent on/off cycling, you will notice that your lamp life is shorter meaning it may not be the best ballast for your application.
3.Programmed-Start Ballast
Programmed-start ballasts, also called programmed rapid-start ballasts, represent the next step in the evolution of rapid-start technology. Their use increases lamp life but carries some penalty in efficiency.
They are the best choice in applications where lights will frequently be turned on and off, as often happens when occupancy sensors are used.
4.Universal-Input Ballast
Universal-input ballasts typically accept any input voltage between 120 and 277 volts. They make retrofitting easier and reduce stocking requirements, but provide slightly lower efficiency than dedicated-voltage ballasts.
5. Ballast Factor
Electronic ballast's come in different "grades" of efficiency, typically .77, .88, and 1.00. What this means is if a lamp is 32 watts and a .88 ballast is used the result will be a lamp that is "under driven".
More simply put it will not consume a full 32 watts, and lamps will last longer. The only downside is a slight loss of lumen output due to the lamp not being pushed 100%.
Most installations that are done for incentives will utilize the .88 ballast because of the energy and lamp savings that are produced.
Keep In Mind....
The important thing to keep in mind is to make sure that lamps and ballasts are compatible. Most lamps are only compatible with one starting method; the major exception is high-performance T8s, which can use either rapid- or instant-start ballasts.
Also, most lamp and ballast manufacturers offer a better warranty when used in conjunction with each other.
For Example, A GE ballast with Sylvania lamps may only offer a 1 year warranty. That same GE ballast used with GE lamps will give you a 2 year warranty.
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FAQs
The first thing to keep in mind while buying a ballast is the fluorescent light type it will be used with, compact fluorescent or fluorescent tubes. Consider attributes like the bulb type (1 pin, two- pins, T5, T12, or T18), wattage, tube shape and length, and base type to narrow down the suitable options.
How to choose the right fluorescent ballast? ›
The first thing to keep in mind while buying a ballast is the fluorescent light type it will be used with, compact fluorescent or fluorescent tubes. Consider attributes like the bulb type (1 pin, two- pins, T5, T12, or T18), wattage, tube shape and length, and base type to narrow down the suitable options.
How to determine ballast type? ›
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.
What is the most efficient type of fluorescent light? ›
Today, the fluorescent lamp comes is many sizes and styles, from compact fluorescent lamps to linear fluorescent lamps. Some of the newer technologies such as T-5 and T-8 fluorescent lamps are the most energy-efficient lamps available today and have overcome many of the issues related to cold weather operation.
What is the most efficient ballast? ›
Instant Start Ballast
This is the most efficient type of ballast. With instant start ballasts you must know the burn time of your lamps. Instant-start is a good choice for applications where the lamps burn for 6 hours or more.
How to tell if you have a T8 or T12 ballast? ›
T8 will have one-inch diameter, the T5 will have a 5/8 diameter, and a T12 will have 12/8 inch or 1.5 inch diameter. If T8 and T12 have the same bi-pin base, then you can use the bulbs interchangeably using the same fixture just as long as you check the milliamp requirements for the ballast.
How to choose the right fluorescent tube? ›
How to Choose a Fluorescent Light Tube. The tube must match the specifications of the light fixture—A T5 tube will not fit in a fixture designed for T8 fluorescent lamps. The exception is CFL T2-size bulbs, which will fit in any standard screw-in light socket.
What are the three types of ballast? ›
There are three main ballast start types: Instant Start Ballasts (IS), Rapid Start Ballasts (RS) and Programmed Start Ballasts (PS). Understanding these three features is critical when designing an application or device that utilizes UV-C lamps.
What happens if you put LED bulbs in a fluorescent fixture? ›
LED T8 lights can be housed in lighting fixtures that accommodate T8 fluorescent bulbs, as their size is the same. The only differences are in the light produced.
What class of ballast is required for fluorescent light fixtures? ›
Fluorescent lights use either an electronic or a magnetic ballast. Nowadays, magnetic ballasts are a rather outdated technology that manufacturers are phasing out, and so they're usually only found on older types of lights.
A fluorescent bulb can produce between 50 and 100 lumens per watt. This makes fluorescent bulbs four to six times more efficient than incandescent bulbs. That's why you can buy a 15-watt fluorescent bulb that produces the same amount of light as a 60-watt incandescent bulb.
What is more energy efficient LED or compact fluorescent? ›
LEDs are more efficient than even CFLs: A 16.5-watt LED bulb is equivalent to a 20-watt CFL and a 75-watt incandescent.
What is the best lighting to replace fluorescent lights? ›
LED tube lights are increasingly used to replace fluorescent lights. Compared to fluorescents, LED lighting lasts longer, is more energy efficient and uses no mercury. LED lights also offer superior light quality, with no flickering. They also turn on immediately, without any warmup time required.
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.
Does it matter which ballast I use? ›
Choosing the right ballast for a lamp will optimize the light output and life of the bulb.
What makes a good ballast? ›
It should resist attrition and should be durable. Ballast used should be non-porous and non-absorbent of the water. It should provide good drainage of water.
What is the difference between T5 and T8 ballast? ›
T5 lamps are 40% smaller than T8 fixtures, but are capable of containing just as much and sometimes more light in a smaller area. In other words, more T8 fixtures are needed to produced the same amount of light generated by significantly fewer high output T5 bulbs.
Are all fluorescent light ballasts the same? ›
Fluorescent ballasts come in a variety of types to meet the needs of different light fixtures. For instance, ballasts will specify how many fluorescent lamps they can regulate at one time (such as one or four). They also say what types of lamps they work with (such as T5, T8, T10 or T12).
Can you use T8 in place of T12? ›
Options for replacing T12 fluorescent tubes
The easiest and lowest price option to replace a T12 is a T8 linear fluorescent. They have become the go-to option for pre-existing T12s. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap.
Will any T8 ballast work? ›
Pick the wrong T8 ballast and a system may not operate as envisioned — lamps could require frequent replacement or light output might not match projections. Matching lamps with the proper ballasts is especially important when occupancy sensors are used.
circuit. Ballasts are utilized in fluorescent lighting to limit the flow of current through the tube.