Table of Contents
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output.
Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?
Reverted question “ Can I make a fluorescent light work without a ballast?” yes, you can, but you need something to reduce the current as the bulb warms up. So, you can drive a fluorescent with a pulse width adjustable power supply, but this is what is in an ‘electronic’ ballast.
How do you know when a fluorescent ballast is bad?
If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast: 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.
How many volts does a fluorescent ballast put out?
Fluorescent lamps use a ballast which transforms line voltage to a voltage to start up and operate the lamp(s). Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts. Some are rated for only 120 volts, others for only 277 volts (used in commercial environments).
What does a ballast do for LED lights?
A ballast regulates the current that’s coming at a lamp. It gives an initial burst just to get things going, then it makes sure the electric current is controlled and steady. A ballast for Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights is not required – instead a driver is required.
What happens if you don’t use ballast?
Without a ballast, a lamp or a bulb will rapidly increase its current draw and it can become uncontrollable as well. When a ballast is present in a lamp, the power becomes stable, and even if such lamps are connected to high power sources, the ballast will regulate the energy and avoid the current rise.
What is the difference between a ballast and a driver?
Fluorescent ballasts provide an initial spike of high voltage, generating an arc that travels from cathode to anode within the discharge tube. LED drivers convert high voltage, ac current into the low voltage, direct current that LEDs are designed to run on.
Will a bad ballast burn out bulbs?
The ballast itself can go bad, which causes lights to flicker or even appear to be burnt out, when in fact they aren’t. They require maintenance and energy to power, on top of the power used to light the fluorescent bulb. They are a large part of the equation when using fluorescent lamps.
What are the signs of a bad ballast?
2. Look for warning signs that the ballast is failing. Buzzing. If you hear a strange sound coming from your bulbs or light fixture, like a buzzing or humming noise, that’s often a sign your ballast is going. Dimming or flickering. No lights at all. Changing colors. Swollen casing. Burn marks. Water damage. Leaking oil.
Why are my fluorescent lights flickering?
If your fluorescent bulbs flicker, most likely the problem is with the bulb itself. If the bulb is very dark on either end, it may be defective and burned out. The best way to test the functionality of a bulb is to put it into a fixture you know works. Flickering fluorescent lights can also be a result of temperature.
Is a ballast the same as a starter?
In older fluorescent fixtures, the ballast, or choke, is a transformer that limits the current flowing into the tube, while the starter provides the high voltage needed to excite the tube when it is turned on.
How do I know which ballast to use?
By selecting a ballast with an ideal ballast factor, you can optimize the light output of your fluorescent lighting system and maximize your energy savings. To estimate your total system lumens, multiply the rated lumens of your lamp by the ballast factor. For example, 3200 lumens x 0.77 BF = 2464 total system lumens.
How do I know which ballast to get?
You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.
Do I need a ballast?
Incandescent and halogen lamps do not require a ballast. Like we mentioned, you just screw them into the socket, and you’re done. Fluorescent lamps and HID (high intensity discharge) light bulbs do require a ballast. Both lamp families use two different types of ballasts: magnetic and electronic.
Can I bypass the ballast for LED lights?
Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.
Will ballast compatible LED tubes work without a ballast?
If the LED tube is not compatible with your ballast, you would then need to replace your ballast in addition to the T8 LED tube. The T8 LED tube won’t work without the ballast, so you are forced to continue buying and replacing ballasts as long as you have an LED tube that is ONLY ballast dependent.
