no ballast
- Thread starter elect36
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bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: no ballast
I'm not aware of any in existence. Have you seen one?
I'm not aware of any in existence. Have you seen one?
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: no ballast
Sounds like electronic ballast
Sounds like electronic ballast
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: no ballast
I believe you may be refering to a compact fluorescent which does indeed have a small ballast starter at the base. Pick one up, they are quite heavy for their size.
[ January 10, 2005, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
I believe you may be refering to a compact fluorescent which does indeed have a small ballast starter at the base. Pick one up, they are quite heavy for their size.
[ January 10, 2005, 07:20 PM: Message edited by: bphgravity ]
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: no ballast
How long will lamp last if we don't start it
How long will lamp last if we don't start it
Re: no ballast
Jim or sam . could you explain the function of a ballast??
I would like to know how it really works.
Have had it explained before but did not quite understand , perhaps the explanation was incorrect or I simply did not follow.
Either of you care to explain how a electronic ballast or magnetic ballast functions please do.
Don't just say it starts the light and when it goes bad we replace it .....that part we know.
How about a little more on the subject of ballasts and what makes them tick.
Jim or sam . could you explain the function of a ballast??
I would like to know how it really works.
Have had it explained before but did not quite understand , perhaps the explanation was incorrect or I simply did not follow.
Either of you care to explain how a electronic ballast or magnetic ballast functions please do.
Don't just say it starts the light and when it goes bad we replace it .....that part we know.
How about a little more on the subject of ballasts and what makes them tick.
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: no ballast
The classic magnetic ballast is an inductor, and its main function is to limit the current through the fluorescent tube without wasting a lot of energy. The starter temporarily applies voltage to the filaments to heat them to the point that electrons boil off them. After the lamp starts, the current through the ionized mercury vapor keeps the filaments hot. And, in some circuits, an inductive kick from the ballast helps to start conduction.
Charley, how about a diagram of the classic fluorescent circuit?
The classic magnetic ballast is an inductor, and its main function is to limit the current through the fluorescent tube without wasting a lot of energy. The starter temporarily applies voltage to the filaments to heat them to the point that electrons boil off them. After the lamp starts, the current through the ionized mercury vapor keeps the filaments hot. And, in some circuits, an inductive kick from the ballast helps to start conduction.
Charley, how about a diagram of the classic fluorescent circuit?
Re: no ballast
I must admit I don't know how an electronic ballast works. It is not a simple power supply though because fluorescent tubes do not operate on a fixed voltage. I suspect that they sense the current and use a switching regulator to limit said current. They may even convert to DC, but I am not sure about this.
For more info on fluorescent lighting, see:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/lighting.html#c2
For more on electronic ballasts, see:
http://www.irf.com/technical-info/designtp/irpllnr1.pdf#search='electronic%20ballast%20fluorescent'
[ January 11, 2005, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: rattus ]
I must admit I don't know how an electronic ballast works. It is not a simple power supply though because fluorescent tubes do not operate on a fixed voltage. I suspect that they sense the current and use a switching regulator to limit said current. They may even convert to DC, but I am not sure about this.
For more info on fluorescent lighting, see:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/lighting.html#c2
For more on electronic ballasts, see:
http://www.irf.com/technical-info/designtp/irpllnr1.pdf#search='electronic%20ballast%20fluorescent'
[ January 11, 2005, 11:32 AM: Message edited by: rattus ]
Re: no ballast
Thanks guys , picked up a ballast at the shop this morning and asked one of the sharp college guys to explain a little on how this thing works........he was good about it and went over the ballast with me for a few moments.........glad I asked.
A couple years ago I asked this retired electrician who worked for us in the summer months but he lost me with his explanation and since then its been" change the bulbs and if that don't work its the ballast".
This method is fine and what else can you do out in the field??
None the less its still is good to have some better knowledge of what your working with.........I guess its that desire of just wanting to be a real electrician and not just a parts changer or some type of installer.
Thanks guys , picked up a ballast at the shop this morning and asked one of the sharp college guys to explain a little on how this thing works........he was good about it and went over the ballast with me for a few moments.........glad I asked.
A couple years ago I asked this retired electrician who worked for us in the summer months but he lost me with his explanation and since then its been" change the bulbs and if that don't work its the ballast".
This method is fine and what else can you do out in the field??
None the less its still is good to have some better knowledge of what your working with.........I guess its that desire of just wanting to be a real electrician and not just a parts changer or some type of installer.
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