Question how those compact fluorescent bulbs work

[Eddy Current]

I know that you need a ballast when using fluorescent lights, so is there some sort of compact ballast in the bulky base part of those bulbs?

 

[Besoeker]

I know that you need a ballast when using fluorescent lights, so is there some sort of compact ballast in the bulky base part of those bulbs?

There is an electronic ballast usually running at some tens of kHz.

 

[Eddy Current]

There is an electronic ballast usually running at some tens of kHz.

Running? Do you mean in the bulky base part?

 

[Besoeker]

Running? Do you mean in the bulky base part?

OK. Operating at.....etc.

 

[Cavie]

Yes Eddy, it is the bulky base part.

 

[broadgage]

Early types of CFL used a magnetic ballast, in the base of the lamp.
This made the lamp very heavy.
All current types use an electronic ballast.

This presumes that we are talking about the type of CFL intended to replace an incandescent.
Other types exist that do require an external ballast, located in the fixture.
These types often have a 2 pin or 4 pin base.

 

[gar]

101018-1211 EDT

Eddy:

A more fundamental question for you to ask is why does a fluorescent bulb require a ballast, and what does this ballast thing do?

Try a Google search with --- theory of operation of a fluorescent bulb ---

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