How much voltage does a fluorescent lamp need?
3 min read
Asked by: Stephen Arroyo
“Fluorescent tubes and electroluminescent panels typically require 200 to 600 V for starting and running illumination.” A fluorescent light is a type of gas discharge tube, which contains an inert gas (such as argon, neon, or krypton) and mercury vapor.
How many volts does a fluorescent ballast put out?
Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts. Some are rated for only 120 volts, others for only 277 volts (used in commercial environments). CFLs for the home have a built-in ballast at the base of the bulb.
Do fluorescent lights use AC or DC?
DC
Fluorescent tubes are almost always powered with AC, but this circuit uses DC. Basically, this circuit is a voltage doubler composed by two 1N4007 diodes and two high voltage electrolytic capacitors of 10 μF 350 V. Such capacitors can be easily salvaged from compact fluorescent lamps.
Is fluorescent light low voltage?
The actual operating voltage of most fluorescent lights is somewhere between 100-200 volts. Therefore, all fluorescent tubes or fluoro lights as we call them need a ballast or fluoro inverter to supply the appropriate voltage.
How much power does a fluorescent tube use?
The biggest notable difference, however, is the amount of energy used in comparison. Incandescents use 3285 KWh/yr, fluorescents use 767 KWh/yr and LEDs use 329 KWh/yr.
Can fluorescent lamp work on DC supply?
Fluorescent lamps can run directly from a direct current (DC) supply of sufficient voltage to strike an arc. The ballast must be resistive, and would consume about as much power as the lamp.
Does a ballast reduce voltage?
Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output. Maintaining an optimum electrode temperature is the key to long lamp life.
How much wattage does a fluorescent light use?
An average CFL bulb which provides 800 lumens will use only 13 to 15 watts compared to a similar incandescent bulb which uses 60 watts. Click calculate to find out the electricity cost of a single CFL light bulb running at 14 Watts for 5 hours a day @ $0.10 per kWh, you can also modify the calculator.
How much power does a 4ft fluorescent tube use?
They operate the lamps at the nominal 430 ma. and allow the lamps to produce greater than 92.5% of rated lumens. They consume eight to 10 watts when operating with the lamp in the circuit.
How much power does a 4 ft fluorescent?
32-watt
ANSI considers the 4-foot, 32-watt T8 lamp to be a rapid-start lamp, but it is commonly operated using an instant-start circuit in which the two pins on each end of the lamp are electrically connected or shunted together.
