What is the difference between rapid start and instant start ballast?
4 min read
Asked by: Leslie Walters
Rapid start ballasts appear to have a slight turn-on delay compared to the instant start. They will typically not be able to start lamps reliably under 50 degrees F.
Is rapid start and instant start ballast the same?
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?
Here are the tools you'll need wire stripper screwdriver socket or nut driver to remove and replace the ballast.
What is the difference between rapid start and instant start sockets?
Rapid-start sockets can accept 4 wires (2 for wires from the ballast and 2 for wires to another socket). Note: Instant-start sockets, which can only accept two wires, MUST be replaced with 4-pin rapid-start sockets.
What is the difference between programmed start and instant start ballasts?
While programmed start and rapid start ballasts are quite similar, programmed start ballasts apply the starting voltage once the cathodes are known to be heated. In comparison, rapid start ballasts may apply the starting voltage before the cathodes are sufficiently heated.
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.
Which type of ballast has the highest system efficiency?
The most efficient ballasts are electronic, or high-frequency ballasts. These typically boost the frequency of the electricity from 60 cycles per second (hertz) to between 25,000 to 40,000 hz.
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.
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.
Are all fluorescent ballasts the same?
Fluorescent lamp ballasts are used to start and operate fluorescent lamps by providing the high voltage required to start the lamps and then limiting the current to a safe value. There are two basic types of fluorescent ballasts: magnetic (low frequency) and electronic (high frequency).
What does Program Start mean in ballast?
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.
How does an instant start ballast work?
An instant start ballast does not preheat the electrodes, instead using a relatively high voltage (~600 V) to initiate the discharge arc. It is the most energy efficient type, but yields the fewest lamp-start cycles, as material is blasted from the surface of the cold electrodes each time the lamp is turned on.
What is the difference between magnetic and electronic ballast?
Magnetic ballasts work at a frequency of around 60 Hz, whereas electronic ballasts work at an increased frequency of around 20,000 Hz. This is why fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts do not flicker or emit any buzzing sounds. Electronic ballasts are also quite smaller in size and weight.
How do I know if my ballast is instant start?
You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. 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.
Can you replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast?
Fortunately, compatibility isn’t really an issue, as most electronic ballasts have been designed to replace existing magnetic ballasts. A preferable electronic ballast is the T8 model. This option has several advantages over the T10 and T12, including improved lighting efficiency.
