What is program start ballast?

Asked by: Sarah Clark

The programmed start ballast reduces the amount of voltage across the lamp before supplying voltage to pre-heat the cathodes. The ballast is programmed to continue supplying voltage till the cathodes reach a temperature of at least 700-degree Celsius.

What is the difference between programmed start and instant start ballasts?

Rapid start ballast provides superior lamp life and more cycle life, but uses slightly more energy. * Provides maximum lamp life in frequent starting conditions. * Program Start ballast precisely heats the lamp cathodes to 700°C prior to lamp ignition.

What is a trigger start ballast?

Rapid or trigger start electromagnetic ballasts are used in T12 and older T8 fixtures and wired in series. Rapid start electronic ballasts heat the electrodes while applying the starting voltage (about 500 volts) to start the lamps quickly in about 0.5 to 1.0 seconds.

How do I know if my ballast is instant start?

Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.

How does an instant start ballast work?

The voltage between the two wires provides cathode heating, which is required for lamp starting when using a rapid start or programmed rapid start ballast. Without cathode heating, the reduced starting pulse is unable to strike a voltage across the lamp and initiate the arc.

How do I know what kind of ballast I need?

When purchasing a ballast, you’ll need to read the type of lamps it’s designed for, how many lamps it operates, and the voltage the lamps will run on. Choosing the right ballast for a lamp will optimize the light output and life of the bulb.

How do I know which ballast to replace?

The only things that matter when you're replacing a ballast are we're number one the number of bulbs number two the type of bulbs number three the voltage.

What are the different types of ballast?

Ballast – Functions and Types

• Broken stone Ballast.
• Sand Ballast.
• Gravel Ballast.
• Moorum Ballast.
• Coal Ash or Cinder Ballast.
• Brickbat Ballast.

What is a preheat ballast?

Ballasts for instant start lamps are designed to provide a relatively high starting voltage (with respect to preheat and rapid start lamps) to initiate the discharge across the unheated electrodes.

Does an electronic ballast need a starter?

Magnetic ballasts required a starter to get the lamp lit, electronic ballasts do not require a starter.

Is a ballast the same as a starter?

The ballast initially works as a starter for the arc, supplying a high-voltage impulse and, later, it works as a limiter/regulator of the electric flow inside the circuit. Electronic ballasts also run much cooler and are lighter than their magnetic counterparts.

Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?

In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.