Magnetic vs. Electronic Ballasts

[steve66]

Does anyone know when electronic ballasts came into widespread use for standard T12 and T8 fixtures?

Would it be fairly safe to assume T12 fixtures installed around 1988 would contain magnetic ballasts?

I forgot to use my phone's camera to check them.

 

[dkidd]

I remember electronic ballasts coming out in the early 80's.

 

[peter d]

Does anyone know when electronic ballasts came into widespread use for standard T12 and T8 fixtures?

Would it be fairly safe to assume T12 fixtures installed around 1988 would contain magnetic ballasts?

Yes, it's virtually assured that they are magnetic if they are from the era.

 

[dkidd]

Yes, it's virtually assured that they are magnetic if they are from the era.

Is betting prohibited on this forum?


Actually, during that period it could have been dependent on whether the project was low budget or for a client who was energy and cost of ownership concerned.

 

[kwired]

Does anyone know when electronic ballasts came into widespread use for standard T12 and T8 fixtures?

Would it be fairly safe to assume T12 fixtures installed around 1988 would contain magnetic ballasts?

I forgot to use my phone's camera to check them.

As mentioned electronic ballasts were available then, but at that time were going to be something specified. If you did not specify them and just purchased an "ordinary" luminare of that era, it contained magnetic ballast(s). T8's, if they existed at all, were definitely something that had to be specified. It was at least another 10 years before you would get asked if you want T12 or T8 when ordering luminaires.

 

[steve66]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Jraef]

There were programs in the 80s whereby utilities gave out rebates for swapping out magnetic ballasts for "energy efficient" ballasts, which were electronic of course. But even then, new fixtures were sold either way and the electronic versions were expensive, so the only time people bought them is when they "converted" a project that was already designed as mag to electronic to get the rebate.

 

[peter d]

I remember the first generation of T8 electronic ballasts from the late 90's when they started showing up on the scene, particularly that Motorola made e-ballasts that didn't have leads, but had the quick connectors.