Do ballasts use energy?

The ballast will consume about four watts when the lamps are removed although the ballast is still energized. Electronic ballasts start and regulate fluorescent lamps with the use of electronic components. Therefore, 40-watt T12 lamps operate at 34 watts when operated on an electronic ballast.

Also question is, how does a ballast work?

Simply put, the ballast is the heart of a fluorescent light fixture sending energy (pumping blood) through the lamp. A ballast provides the correct amount of voltage to start the lamps and regulates the amount of current that flows to them once they're on.

Additionally, how much electricity does a t12 ballast use? The typical T12 four-lamp fixture uses 172 watts of power between the lamps and ballast. LED equivalents typically use only 50 watts, 71% less energy per fixture. [3] Not only are they brighter per watt, they also last longer than even the preferred florescent bulbs.

Likewise, people ask, what is a ballast made of?

This lamp consists of a glass tube filled with an inert gas (usually argon) at low pressure. On each side of the tube you will find a tungsten electrode. The ballast regulates AC power to the electrodes. Older lamps used a starter to get the lamp going.

How many amps does a ballast draw?

A 1000 watt light draws about 9.2 amps at 120 volts (1100 watts / 120 volts = 9.17 amps). See this page for other ballast wattages.

39 Related Question Answers Found

How much does a ballast cost?

A replacement ballast costs about $10-25 depending on capacity and brand. The bite is that an electrician trip charge (which includes 30 or 60 minutes work) is going to be $75-150 probably - for about 5 minutes work on each light fixture.

What is the purpose of 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.

How do I know if I have a t8 or t12 ballast?

This will reveal a lot about your current fluorescent tube and usually indicate if the bulb is T8 or T12. If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.

How many types of ballasts are there?

There are two lamp families that work with a ballast: fluorescent and HID. And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology. For the fluorescent family, both T12 linear fluorescents and two-pin CFLs use magnetic ballasts.

Do I need to remove ballast for LED lights?

LED technology does not require a ballast to regulate the amount of energy flowing to the lights. Additionally, removing the ballast will reduce energy usage and result in even great cost-savings as ballasts continue to draw more power than necessary.

What happens when a ballast goes bad?

When it's too hot or too cold, the ballast can burn or fail to start your lamps at all. Heat combined with prolonged condensation inside an electronic ballast can cause corrosion. Some people may suggest removing the parts of the ballast casing and cleaning the electrical board.

Is ballast and choke same?

An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to limit the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit. A choke is an inductor designed to have a high reactance to a particular frequency when used in a signal-carrying circuit.

How long does a ballast last?

about 20 years

What is a synonym for ballast?

Synonyms: light ballast, ballast resistor, barretter. ballast resistor, ballast, barretter(noun) a resistor inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes (as those arising from temperature fluctuations)

Can a fluorescent light work without a ballast?

Reverted question “ Can I make a fluorescent light work without a ballast?” yes, you can, but you need something to reduce the current as the bulb warms up. So, you can drive a fluorescent with a pulse width adjustable power supply, but this is what is in an 'electronic' ballast.

What is inside an electronic ballast?

An electronic ballast uses solid state electronic circuitry to provide the proper starting and operating electrical conditions to power discharge lamps. An electronic ballast can be smaller and lighter than a comparably-rated magnetic one.

How do you know when a 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's inside a magnetic ballast?

A fluorescent lamp's ballast works to control this. The simplest sort of ballast, generally referred to as a magnetic ballast, works something like an inductor. A basic inductor consists of a coil of wire in a circuit, which may be wound around a piece of metal.

Can you scrap a ballast?

Rockaway Recycling accepts ballasts for scrap metal. Coming from light fixtures it is important to know what you can do with them when you are looking to scrap them. Ballasts come from inside of lighting fixtures and there generally are two types. Electronic and copper-based ballasts.

How do you bypass a ballast?

How to Bypass a Ballast

Turn off the power. Flipping the light switch to the “off” position does not necessarily end the flow of electricity.
Locate your ballast.
Cut the hot and neutral wires.
Cut the socket lead wires.
Remove the ballast.
Connect the input wires to the output wires.

Can you replace t12 fluorescent tubes with LED?

Install a direct wire or ballast-bypass linear LED lamp. Right now, a ballast-bypass is our top LED replacement option for T12 fluorescent tubes. Ballast-bypass LEDs work straight off the line voltage flowing directly to the sockets, requiring you to remove the original fluorescent ballast.

How much energy does a 40 watt fluorescent bulb use?

What Uses Watts in Your Home

Appliance/Equipment	Avg. Usage	Monthly kWh
Lighting
40-Watt Bulb (40 W) Equivalent compact fluorescent	4 hours/day 4 hours/day	5 1.375
60-Watt Bulb (60 W) Equivalent compact fluorescent	4 hours/day 4 hours/day	7 1.625
75-Watt Bulb (75 W) Equivalent compact fluorescent	4 hours/day 4 hours/day	9 2.5