Is a fluorescent starter a ballast?
The starter (which is simply a timed switch) allows current to flow through the filaments at the ends of the tube. Since the lighted fluorescent tube has a low resistance, the ballast now serves as a current limiter.
Is a ballast and a starter the same thing?
The ballast initially works as a starter for the arc, supplying a high-voltage impulse and, later, it works as a limiter/regulator of the electric flow inside the circuit. Electronic ballasts also run much cooler and are lighter than their magnetic counterparts.
How do I know if my starter or 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.
Do older fluorescent bulbs have both starters and ballast?
Does my fluorescent tube need a starter as well as a ballast? Separate starters are only found in older control gear, so if a fixture is less than 15 years old it probably won’t have a starter. In newer lamps the process provided by a starter is built in, making the function of a separate starter redundant.
How do I know if my ballast is T8 or T12?
You will see either T8 or T12 stamped on one side near the end with the prongs. You also will see the lamp’s rated wattage, usually 32 watts for T8 and 40 watts for T12. Measure the diameter of the lamp. T12 lamps are larger than T8 lamps, with a 1 ½-inch diameter.
How do I know if my fluorescent light ballast is bad?
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.
What happens when fluorescent ballast goes bad?
If the ballast is bad, then the needle won’t move. If you’re using a digital multimeter, often the digital readout will possibly list a “1” when it doesn’t find a measurable resistance.
Can I put a T8 bulb in a T12 ballast?
T8 tubes are simply 1 inch in diameter versus the 1.5 inch diameter of T12 tubes. In an effort to make LED tube lights compatible with the internal dimensions of most fixtures, you will find that most LED tube lights feature a T8 or 1 inch diameter. They can indeed be used in T12 fixtures.
Do all fluorescent lights have starters?
Not all fluorescent lights have starters, but if yours does, it will usually be located near a tube socket. Lights with more than one tube have a separate starter for each. Fluorescent lights designed without starters are called rapid-starting lights, and this designation is usually printed or stamped on them.
What are the uses of ballast in fluorescent lamp?
The ballast is used to create the voltage and current necessary to start and illuminate the fluorescent lamp. In time, the ballast may need to be replaced. Read on to learn how to swap out the old with an approved replacement ballast of the same technology.
What are the different types of ballasts?
There are several different kinds of ballasts, but the three basic types are electronic ballasts, magnetic ballasts and digital.
What is class P fluorescent ballast?
Class P: A ballast for a fluorescent lamp which meets the requirements of the Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc.; includes an automatic resetting thermal protector to remove the ballast from the circuit if its temperature exceeds a specified value. Same as constant-wattage ballast. McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Architecture and Construction.
