Magnetic ballast hum

[bpk]

I have a church that a large source of lighting in some areas are T12 flourescents with a decorative soffit covering them. The church complains that the hum of the ballasts is to loud during a sermon. I reccomended retrofitting the lights to T8 electronic ballasts. Is there any thing else to solve this problem, do electronic ballasts make any noise? Thanks in advance.

 

[jimmyglen]

you have the right idea to replace them

you need to do some homework and be able to show the church how this will also save them money

maybe someone here could point you to some info on the savings or your supply house can help

also here the POCO has incentives that pay $4.00 per fixture to convert to t8

 

[goldstar]

The newer ballasts being manufactures today are no longer magnetic. They are electronic but may drive both T-12 and T-8 bulbs. Make sure you check the nameplate on the ballast before changing them out but you may not have to change the bulbs as well.

 

[charlietuna]

Magnetic ballasts have a sound rating "A" thru "E" and the existing fixtures probably have an average rated ballast when it should have had a quieter and of course more expensive ballast. As explained above, the only real solution at this point would be to replace them with electronic ballasts and t-8 lamps. Guessing the payback might be about four years on a church