Table of Contents
Working Principle of an Electronic Ballast Electronic ballast takes supply at 50 – 60 Hz. It first converts AC voltage into DC voltage. Once the discharge process is started, the voltage across the lamp is decreased below 230V up to 125V and then this electronic ballast allows limited current to flow through this lamp.
How does an electronic fluorescent ballast work?
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.
What is the use of electronic ballast?
An electronic ballast (or electrical ballast) is a device that controls the starting voltage and the operating currents of lighting devices. It does this through the principle of electrical gas discharge.
What is the output voltage of an electronic ballast?
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). CFLs for the home have a built-in ballast at the base of the bulb.
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.
How do you test an electronic ballast?
To measure it, set your digital multimeter to around a thousand ohms resistance setting. Connect the black leads to the white ground wire on your ballast. Afterward, test every other wire with the red lead. When you do this test, a good ballast will return an “open-loop” or max resistance.
Why do electronic ballasts fail?
Causes of Ballast Failure Premature ballast failure is often caused by the surrounding environment. When it’s too hot or too cold, the ballast can burn or fail to start your lamps at all. Heat combined with prolonged condensation inside an electronic ballast can cause corrosion.
What is the difference between magnetic and 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.
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.
What is inside an electronic ballast?
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.
How long does an electronic ballast 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.
What is an instant start electronic ballast?
Instant start ballasts Instant start lamps don’t use a preheating method. Instead, they send a high amount of voltage across the lamp upon the strike. Typically, instant start ballasts use 1.5-2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballasts.
How many watts does a ballast use?
A two-lamp ballast system consumes 68 – 71 watts. At these lower wattage’s, the lamps provide light output close to rated lumens at 60Hz. Hybrid ballasts (cathode or heater cutoff) are a combination of electromagnetic technology electronic components.
How do you check voltage on a ballast?
Test the ballast’s voltage with a multimeter. Attach the multimeter’s leads to the sockets at the ends of the ballast. If the reading is not between five and nine volts, replace the ballast. Adjust the multimeter to measure frequency and replace the ballast if the reading is not between 20 and 50 kilohertz.
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.
Can a magnetic ballast be replaced with an electronic 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.
How do I know if I have an instant start ballast?
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.
Does LED lights have a ballast?
No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast. You will find ballast-compatible or “plug-and-play” LEDs that are designed to replace linear fluorescents, compact fluorescents, or HIDs. Incandescent and halogen lamps do not require a ballast.
Can you mix magnetic and electronic ballasts?
There is no problem with replacing the magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts, one at a time, light fixture by fixture, just keep track of the type of lamps that are specified on the label of the new electronic ballasts which will most likely be the T8 type lamps.
What is the blue wire on a ballast?
The ballast has a hot and neutral wire at one end to receive power, and two blue wires a red one at the other end to supply power to the lights.
What are yellow wires for on ballast?
The two yellow wires complete the circuit through the fluorescent tube back into the ballast. The red and blue wires energize the pins the fluorescent tube is attached to, the yellow wires connect to the pins on the opposite ends of the fluorescent light tubes completing the circuit.
