What is an instant start 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. Instant start lamps also start reliably at temperatures as low as zero degrees.
How does a rapid start ballast work?
One plus of rapid start ballasts is they work in a parallel lamp service. That means if you have four lamps running on the one ballast and two go out, the other two will continue working. The programmed start ballast operates much like the rapid start. It gradually heats up the lamp's cathodes before initializing the ignition of the lamp.
How does a ballast start a light lamp?
The preheat and rapid start methods heat the lamp’s cathodes before the ballast provides the voltage to start the lamp. Electronic ballasts operate relatively quietly, eliminating the flicker common in magnetic ballasts, and are more energy efficient. This type of ballast can be rapid start, instant start, or programmed start methods.
What is the function of a a ballast?
A ballast provides the correct amount of voltage to start the lamps and regulates the amount of current that flows to them once they’re on. In order to start a fluorescent bulb, an arc between two electrodes in the lamp must be produced.
How do rapid start ballasts work?
A rapid start ballast applies voltage and heats the cathodes simultaneously. It provides superior lamp life and more cycle life, but uses slightly more energy as the electrodes in each end of the lamp continue to consume heating power as the lamp operates.
Does rapid start ballast require a starter?
Rapid-start Method Used in older T12 and some T8 tubes, this method functions without a starter. Unlike pre-heat—where the filaments receive current via the starter only to heat the mercury gas—with rapid start, the ballast keeps a small amount of current flowing continuously through the filaments.
What is the difference between program start and instant start ballasts?
An instant start ballast supplies a high initial voltage to generate the power of the lamp without the need to preheat the cathodes. In contrast, a program start ballast produces a lower voltage to heat the lamp by way of cathodes.
Is a rapid start ballast electronic or magnetic?
Electronic ballasts operate relatively quietly, eliminating the flicker common in magnetic ballasts, and are more energy efficient. This type of ballast can be rapid start, instant start, or programmed start methods.
Can you replace a rapid start ballast with an instant start ballast?
4 lamp rapid start magnetic ballasts should be replaced with one 4 lamp instant start electronic ballast. Each lampholder has four separate connections. Connect each of the individual blue wires from the instant start ballast to each pair of the lampholder individual wires (red and blue) of lamps 1 and 2.
What is a trigger start ballast?
Rapid or trigger start electromagnetic ballasts are used in T12 and older T8 fixtures and wired in series. Rapid start electronic ballasts heat the electrodes while applying the starting voltage (about 500 volts) to start the lamps quickly in about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds.
What can I do with an old ballast?
According to EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations, the material must be incinerated. The entire lighting fixture does not need special handling and disposal as long as the ballast (electrical box) is not leaking. The non-leaking ballasts can be removed and recycled or disposed of properly.
What are the two types of ballast used in fluorescent lighting?
There are two basic types of fluorescent ballasts: magnetic (low frequency) and electronic (high frequency). Most fluorescent ballasts are now electronic, which are more efficient than magnetic ballasts.
Is rapid start the same as instant start?
Rapid Start (RS) The filament voltage continues to be applied throughout the operation of the lamp. Rapid start ballasts appear to have a slight turn-on delay compared to the instant start. They will typically not be able to start lamps reliably under 50 degrees F.
What is the difference between electronic ballast and magnetic ballast?
Magnetic ballasts work at a frequency of around 60 Hz, whereas electronic ballasts work at an increased frequency of around 20,000 Hz. This is why fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts do not flicker or emit any buzzing sounds. Electronic ballasts are also quite smaller in size and weight.
Does a magnetic ballast need a starter?
No Starters Required Magnetic ballasts required a starter to get the lamp lit, electronic ballasts do not require a starter.
Can electronic ballast replace magnetic?
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.
Which is not found in a rapid start fluorescent lamp?
Today, the most popular fluorescent lamp design is the rapid start lamp. This design works on the same basic principle as the traditional starter lamp, but it doesn't have a starter switch.
What is the difference between electronic ballast and magnetic?
Magnetic ballasts work at a frequency of around 60 Hz, whereas electronic ballasts work at an increased frequency of around 20,000 Hz. This is why fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts do not flicker or emit any buzzing sounds. Electronic ballasts are also quite smaller in size and weight.
What is the function of electronic ballast?
ballast - A device required by electric-discharge light sources such as fluorescent or HID lamps to regulate voltage and current supplied to the lamp during start and throughout operation.
What are the types of fluorescent ballasts?
There are two basic types of fluorescent ballasts: magnetic (low frequency) and electronic (high frequency). Most fluorescent ballasts are now electronic, which are more efficient than magnetic ballasts.
How does a rapid start ballast work?
With ionizing the gas, the rapid start ballast obtains a low current flow of electricity moving through the lamp which causes the ballast to glow lightly. This helps start heating the gas throughout the lamp which further illuminates the light and adds ionization and further lowers the gas resistance. At the same time, the ballast is directing ...
How many volts does a ballast have?
Rapid start ballasts are designed with a independent set of windings that transmit lower voltages – approximately 3.5 volt s to the electrodes for a second before the lamp ignites. Rapid start ballasts are normally wired in series so if one lamp fails, all remaining lamps in the circuit cease to operate.
How many ballasts are needed for a rapid start fluorescent?
Most rapid start fluorescent feature two, three, four T12 (1.5″ diameter) lamps with one ballast managing a limit of two lamps each. When there are more than two lamps, it is common that two ballasts are employed.
What is rapid start?
The majority of fluorescent fixtures with more than two lamps are typically known as rapid start. This style of ballasts do not contain a starter and instead leverage a minimal amount of electrical current circulating to filaments continuously, or for some models, during the start-up period which also usually leverages a capacitor ...
What temperature do rapid start ballasts warp?
Programmed rapid start ballasts will most often be set to warp the lamp’s cathodoes to 1,202°F or 650°C temperatures with glow being often non-existent before voltage is transferred to the lamp.
How many volts does a F32T8 ballast use?
The initial voltage is typically less than that of an instant ballast which will normally use a voltage between 405-550 volts for F32T8 lamps.
Do rapid start ballasts need to be grounded?
Because rapid-start ballasts are grounded, there is typically no actual wire connecting the ballast and reflector – in place of this, contact is made through metal parts of the fixture requiring. To help with the starting operation, contact between the ballast and metal surface is required about the entire length of the lamps, and of course for safe operation, grounding properly is required.
How does an instant start ballast work?
Instant start ballast apply high voltage across the lamp with no preheating of the cathode. THIS IS THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT starting method for fluorescent lamp ballasting. I.S. ballast use 1.5 to 2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballast. Other I.S. ballast benefits typically include parallel lamp circuitry, (ballast wired with parallel lamp circuitry is what allows other lamps to continue burning when one or two go out without damage to the ballast or lamp), longer remote wiring distance, easier installation due to less complicated wiring, and capability to start lamps at 0 degrees F versus 50 degrees for rapid start.
What is a rapid start ballast?
Rapid-start ballasts are typically wired in series. This means that if one lamp fails, all other lamps in the circuit will extinguish.Rapid start ballast apply a low filament voltage to preheat the cathodes. Simultaneously, a starting voltage (lower than that used in instant start) is also applied to strike the arc.
Do fluorescent ballasts use less energy?
Since they do not provide lamp electrode heating, fluorescent ballast consume less energy than comparable rapid-start, program rapid-start or programmed-start ballasts. As a result, they provide the most energy efficient solution to fluorescent lamp ballasting.
What is Electronic Ballast?
An electronic ballast (or electrical ballast) is a device that controls the starting voltage and the operating currents of lighting devices.
What is a HID ballast?
An HID ballast (HID stands for High-Intensity Discharge) is a device that is used to control the voltage and arc current of High-Intensity Discharge lamps during their operation. The circuit diagram for the various types of HID ballasts is shown below.
What is the Current Crest Factor for a HID Ballast?
The current crest factor is the ratio of the peak to RMS current of the HID ballast, i.e.
What are the Ballast Losses in Different Ballasts?
Electrical4U is dedicated to the teaching and sharing of all things related to electrical and electronics engineering.
What voltage does a ballast need to be to discharge a lamp?
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 many V does a fluorescent tube need to discharge?
Generally, more than 400 V is required to strike the gas discharge process in fluorescent tube light. When the switch is ON, the initial voltage across the lamp becomes 1000 V around due to high value, hence gas discharge takes place instantaneously.
What is the crest factor of a reactor ballast?
The reactor ballast provides a low current crest factor of about 1.5.
Why is a ballast called an instant start?
They’re called instant start because they start the lamp instantly by sending about 600 Volts through the lamp to kick start the cathodes. Programmed start, aka programmed rapid start, ballasts are slower to start, but don’t have the damaging effects of an instant start ballast when used with more frequent on-off cycles.
What is an electronic ballast?
Electronic ballasts operate relatively quietly, eliminating the flicker common in magnetic ballasts, and are more energy efficient. This type of ballast can be rapid start, instant start, or programmed start methods. Instant start ballasts are the quickest to turn on the lights.
How does a fluorescent bulb start?
In order to start a fluorescent bulb, an arc between two electrodes in the lamp must be produced. This arc occurs when the ballast quickly supplies the correct amount of voltage and electrical current to strike the arc.
What is the purpose of a ballast in a fluorescent light fixture?
A ballast provides the correct amount of voltage to start the lamps and regulates the amount of current that flows to them once they’re on.
Why do ballasts fail?
They tend to fail gradually so the lamps go from slight issues sustaining full light output to complete failure to light. All ballasts fail at some point, so it’s important to know the signs of failure. If your lights seem to be dim, buzzing, flickering rapidly, or changing color, it may be time to service your fixture.
Why are cold cathodes more energy efficient than other ballasts?
Since cold cathodes take more power to ignite, these ballasts are more energy efficient than other ballasts. They are designed for rooms with frequent on/off cycles like stairwell, hallways, or bathrooms fitted with occupancy/vacancy sensors.
How many times does a magnetic ballast flicker?
These ballasts tend to be less expensive than others, but have the tendency to hum and flicker at about 120 times per second.
How does a rapid start ballast work?
Imagine if an oven was preheated all the time so you could bake cookies at any given moment. Rapid start ballasts rely on this preheating method so when the light switch is turned on, the lamp turns on right away.
How many watts does an instant start ballast use?
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. Instant start lamps also start reliably at temperatures as low as zero degrees. Shop instant start ballasts.
Why do my ballasts buzz?
Magnetic ballasts are typically the culprit for buzzing and flickering because they regulate electricity incrementally.
What are the drawbacks of rapid start ballasts?
There are two drawbacks to rapid start ballasts: Rapid start ballasts are not very energy efficient. Lamps paired with rapid start ballasts will not reliably turn on if they are in sub 50-degree climates, like a freezer room or outside in cold climates. Shop rapid start ballasts.
What is a programmed start ballast?
Programmed start ballasts. Programmed start ballasts are typically paired with occupancy or motion sensors. If you turn fluorescent lights on and off repeatedly under short time spans, you’re actually using more energy than if you had left the light on.
What are the two types of ballasts?
There are two lamp families that work with a ballast: fluorescent and HID. And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic.
How many starting methods are there for HID ballasts?
There are only two types of starting methods for HID ballasts.
How does an instant start ballast work?
Instant start ballast apply high voltage across the lamp with no preheating of the cathode. THIS IS THE MOST ENERGY EFFICIENT starting method for fluorescent lamp ballasting. I.S. ballast use 1.5 to 2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballast. Other I.S. ballast benefits typically include parallel lamp circuitry, (ballast wired with parallel lamp circuitry is what allows other lamps to continue burning when one or two go out without damage to the ballast or lamp), longer remote wiring distance, easier installation due to less complicated wiring, and capability to start lamps at 0 degrees F versus 50 degrees for rapid start.
What is a rapid start ballast?
Rapid Start (RS) Rapid start ballast applies a low filament voltage to preheat the cathodes. Simultaneously, a starting voltage (lower than that used in instant start) is also applied to strike the arc. When the cathodes are hot enough, the lamp will strike.
How to achieve full rated lamp life?
In order to achieve full rated lamp life, a ballast should start a lamp so that the time from when the lamp begins to glow to the time the lamp arc strikes should be as short as possible.
How does a ballast resistor work?
Some ballast resistors have the property of increasing in resistance as current through them increases, and decreasing in resistance as current decreases. Physically, some such devices are often built quite like incandescent lamps. Like the tungsten filament of an ordinary incandescent lamp, if current increases, the ballast resistor gets hotter, its resistance goes up, and its voltage drop increases. If current decreases, the ballast resistor gets colder, its resistance drops, and the voltage drop decreases. Therefore, the ballast resistor reduces variations in current, despite variations in applied voltage or changes in the rest of an electric circuit. These devices are sometimes called " barretters " and were used in the series heating circuits of 1930s to 1960s AC/DC radio and TV home receivers.
What is ballast in an engine?
Ballast was also a component used in early model automobile engines that lowered the supply voltage to the ignition system after the engine had been started. Starting the engine requires a significant amount of electrical current from the battery, resulting in an equally significant voltage drop.
How does a fluorescent lamp work?
In operation, an increase in current through the fluorescent tube causes a drop in voltage across it. If the tube were connected directly to the power line, the falling tube voltage would cause more and more current to flow, until it destroyed itself. To prevent this, fluorescent tubes are connected to the power line through a ballast. The ballast adds positive impedance (AC resistance) to the circuit to counteract the negative resistance of the tube, limiting the current.
Why use a ballast resistor?
Ballasts can also be used simply to limit the current in an ordinary, positive-resistance circuit. Prior to the advent of solid-state ignition, automobile ignition systems commonly included a ballast resistor to regulate the voltage applied to the ignition system.
What is a lamp starter?
A lamp starter, required with some inductor type ballasts. It connects the two ends of the lamp to preheat them for one second before lighting. An electrical ballast is a device that limits the current through an electrical load. These are most often used when a load (such as an arc discharge) has its terminal voltage decline when current ...
Why is an inductive ballast used in fluorescent lamps?
A familiar and widely used example is the inductive ballast used in fluorescent lamps to limit the current through the tube, which would otherwise rise to a destructive level due to the negative differential resistance of the tube's voltage-current characteristic . Ballasts vary greatly in complexity.
What is a fixed resistor?
Fixed resistors. For simple, low-powered loads such as a neon lamp or a LED lamp, a fixed resistor is commonly used. Because the resistance of the ballast resistor is large it determines the current in the circuit, even in the face of negative resistance introduced by the neon lamp.
Magnetic Ballasts vs. Electronic Ballasts
Types of Fluorescent Ballasts
Types of Emergency Ballasts