Magnetic Ballast For Fluorescent Lamp

Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology.

Magnetic ballast for fluorescent lamp.

Older fluorescent light fixtures utilized a magnetic ballast to control the flow of electricity through the light bulbs. While magnetic ballasts in fluorescent lamps work at a frequency of 60hz electronic ballasts greatly increase that frequency to 20 000hz. Magnetic fixtures required a separate starter to kick start the flow of. The middle is a low power factor preheat ballast for a single 30 40 w lamp while the bottom ballast is a simple inductor used with a 15 w preheat lamp.

Dim light or low lumen output is almost always the cause of one of two things. All fluorescent light fixtures consist of at least lamp s lamp holders ballast and internal wiring. In time the ballast may need to be replaced. Photos 2 and 3 show how to remove the old ballast from the fluorescent light fixture.

So at different stages of the lamp s life different light levels will be produced. Fluorescent lamps almost always experience color variation and fading. The ballast is used to create the voltage and current necessary to start and illuminate the fluorescent lamp. Several magnetic ballasts for fluorescent lamps.

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. Due to the very high frequency you will not see the lights flickering and will not hear a buzzing sound from fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts. For the fluorescent family both t12 linear fluorescents and two pin cfls use magnetic ballasts. A quick way to determine if your fluorescent fixtures will work with direct drop in led tubes.

The top is a high power factor rapid start series ballast for two 30 40 w lamps. An old fluorescent lamp or an aging bad ballast. And there are two types of ballasts in each family. Simply take the fluorescent tubes out of your fixture and put the led tubes in.

After mounting the new ballast replace the ballast compartment cover and bulbs and it should be good for another 20 years. Some older types have starters too. When magnetic ballasts break it is often blamed on the bulb. The ballast provides enough voltage to start the fluorescent bulbs and once they are started it quickly lowers the current to produce just enough electricity to produce a steady light source.

Confirm that the new ballast matches the old one photo below and then install it as shown in photo 4.