What is the difference between instant start and rapid start ballast?
2 min read
Asked by: Kristi Powers
Instant start lamps don’t use a preheating method. Instead, they send a high amount of voltage across the lamp upon the strike. Typically, instant start ballasts use 1.5-2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballasts. Instant start lamps also start reliably at temperatures as low as zero degrees.
Can I replace a rapid start ballast with an instant start ballast?
Using a screwdriver nut driver or socket remove. The old magnetic ballast install the new electronic ballast with the black and white wires facing the wires on the fixture that connect to the line.
How do I know which ballast to buy?
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.
How long does a fluorescent light ballast last?
12 to 15 years
According to the Certified Ballast Manufacturers Association, the average magnetic ballast lasts about 75,000 hours, or 12 to 15 years with normal use. The optimum economic life of a fluorescent lighting system with magnetic ballasts is usually about 15 years.
How do you replace a rapid start ballast?
And what we're going to do is we're going to take off the bulbs now to do that you just have to turn on one quarter of a turn in one direction to line them up.
How can you tell if the ballast is bad?
If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:
- Flickering. …
- Buzzing. …
- Delayed start. …
- Low output. …
- Inconsistent lighting levels. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp. …
- Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.
