What does the ballast do in an UV kit?
The ballast is wired in series with the lamp and performs two functions. Initially, the ballast provides a high voltage charge to ‘strike’ or ‘ionize’ the mercury. Then, once the mercury is ionized, the ballast reduces the voltage and amperage required to keep the mercury ionized and emit a stable stream of UV light.
What is an UV lamp ballast?
These ballasts are designed to run high output UV germicidal light bulbs. They provide more UV output wattage for the same length of lamp compared to standard output. High output UV bulbs are often more expensive than standard output, and fewer manufacturers make HO lamps.
What is a bad ballast?
What are the signs of bad ballast?
- 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 is ballast used for in building?
Ballast. Ballast is used for many types of building applications and consists of sharp sand and gravel.Ballast is usually mixed with cement and water to create concrete for a variety of landscaping uses. With ballast, the sizing of the grains varies from 0.1mm to 20mm and is produced using a mixture of sharp sand and 4-20mm pea shingle.
Can I use a fluorescent ballast for a UV light?
Ultraviolet Ballasts. In many cases, a fluorescent ballast can run a range of UVC light bulbs. In most cases, the germicidal bulbs the fluorescent ballast is compatible with will not be on the spec sheet.
How long does a UV ballast last?
UV lamps should be replaced once every 12 months. UV lamps have a lifespan of approximately 9,000 hours. Calculated out, this means the lamp can operate for about 375 days before requiring a replacement.
What is UV filter ballast?
A UV system comes with a ballast that transforms the hydro power to the electrical input that is needed to light up the UV lamp. If the lamp is not on in the UV system, the water is not being disinfected, and the ballast will go into alarm.
What are the three types of ballast?
Fluorescent ballasts use three different types of starting technologies: rapid, instant, and programmed.
How much does it cost to install UV light in HVAC?
Coil UV lights have a light cost ranging between $60-$285, an installation cost ranging between $100-$225, a lamp cost between $10-$60 and an energy cost between $15-$30.
Can I put a UV bulb in a regular lamp?
New Member. I know many people who use normal desk lamps for heat bulbs and compact uv bulbs. As long as you do not use a ceramic as mentioned above and do not go over the wattage it says for that fixture it will be fine.
What is CIP ballast?
Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) Once ballasting is complete, reactor cleaning is performed via an automatic Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) cycle.
How do you reset a Viqua?
Firstly, turn off your UV ballast from the power. Now hold down the reset button on the side, keep it held down. Now turn the main power back on. Yes, you still have the reset button held.
What is the main function of a ballast?
In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
What are the two types of ballast?
There are two categories of ballasts – magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the most basic type and operate bulbs through a core and coil transformer.
What is a ballast used for?
What is a Ballast? Simply put, the ballast is the heart of a fluorescent light fixture sending energy (pumping blood) through the lamp. 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.
What is the life expectancy of a ballast?
According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use.
How long do digital ballasts last?
For optimum efficiency, you should replace your magnetic ballast every 2-3 years. Digital ballasts last much longer, and have a consistent output over their life. They only need replacing if they stop working, which can be 10+ years.
How long does HID ballast last?
Buying HID Ballasts: Make the Right Choice Choose quality over price because a premium ballast can last up to 3-5 years. If you are new to the world of HID automotive lighting, find a reliable seller who will offer high-quality products with warranty.
Does a UV light use a lot of electricity?
How Much Electricity Does A UV Light Use? A typical household uses about 1 kWh per day. That means that a single UV light bulb would only cost around $0.10-$0.15/day to operate.
What is ballast in fluorescent lighting?
What is a ballast? In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
How does a ballast work?
Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output. Maintaining an optimum electrode temperature is the key to long lamp life.
How many volts does a ballast use?
Traditionally, ballasts are designed to operate a specific number (usually one to four) and type of lamp (such as a four-foot T8 lamp) at a specific voltage (in North America either 120, 277, or 347 volts).
Do ballasts have a circuit?
Thus, some ballasts have a separate circuit that provides a low voltage to heat the lamp electrodes during lamp starting and typically during lamp operation (Hammer, 1995). To achieve full rated light output and rated lamp life from a fluorescent lighting system, a ballast’s output characteristics must precisely match the electrical requirements ...
What is a ballast called?
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. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire. If you sometimes hear your light buzz or see it flicker, it’s this changing flow of current that’s causing it.
What is the ballast in a fluorescent light?
The ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a small device wired to the light’s circuitry which restricts the amount of electrical current travelling through it.
How does a fluorescent light ballast work?
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.
Why are ballasts needed?
The process that occurs inside a fluorescent light involves molecules of mercury gas being heated by electricity and made more conductive. Without a ballast to control this, there would be too much current for the light to take, and it would burn out and possibly even catch fire.
How does a ballast work?
Designed for areas in which the lights are constantly switched on and off, these ballasts pre-heat the electrodes with controlled amounts of current before applying a higher voltage to start the light. They’re often a feature of lighting that’s activated by motion-detection sensors (for example, toilets in workplaces or public venues) and allows the fluorescent light to last for a long time.
What is a magnetic 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. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire.
What is the purpose of fluorescent tubes?
A fluorescent tube uses electricity to make mercury gas emit ultraviolet (UV) light. When that UV light (which is invisible to the naked eye) interacts with the coating of phosphor powder inside the tube, it glows and produces the light we see and use in our homes.
