Looking to Buy Lighting Ballasts? What They Are and Why They Matter

Introduction

Lighting ballasts are quite common than you might think. The reason you probably do not know more about them is because they are part of the internal parts of a lighting system. Today, we want to go deep into understanding what lighting ballasts are and how they can be essential for your lighting systems.

A light ballast is a device used to regulate voltage and current in lighting systems such as fluorescent and HID lights. This regulation ensures the ballasts can start and operate safely and helps with efficiency.

There are a couple of lighting ballasts in the market. Because you can decide on which one works for you, first understand how they work. Also, we will talk more about how to choose, maintenance tips, troubleshooting tips, and so much more to help you have a good understanding of lighting ballasts.

How Lighting Ballasts Work

Whether it is a HID light or fluorescent light ballast, they have similar working mechanisms. In this case, the lighting ballast will control the voltage and current so that the light does not receive too much voltage or current to avoid burning it out.

Each ballast type will have a current and voltage rating. It is basically a resistor that ensures only the rated amount goes through.

At first, the ballast will provide the initial high voltage needed for igniting the gas discharge in the lamp vital to produce the light. Once the light is lit, the ballast can maintain the appropriate voltage and current to keep it operating stably and more efficiently.

Without using a proper ballast for light, sometimes the HID or fluorescent lamp may overheat and burn out easily.

Benefits of Lighting Ballasts

When you get a ballast light fixture, there are many benefits you could potentially get. Here is why more people are installing fluorescent light ballasts.

Energy Efficiency

Ballast lights are known for being more energy efficient. This is because only the needed energy is allowed to pass through the circuit, meaning less energy is wasted during light production.

With improved energy efficiency, the ballasts will lead to lower electricity bills over time.

Lamp Life Extension

A light fixture with ballast will often have an impressive lifespan. This is because the ballast will help control the voltage and current fluctuations. The result is a potential increase in the lifespan of the lamps.

You can see that there will be less of a need for frequent replacements. No more maintenance costs all the time or downtimes because a light is out.

Better Lighting Quality

Replacing a fluorescent light ballast enhances lighting quality. The ballasts stabilize the light output, minimizing or eliminating flickering, which can often be tiring for the eyes.

So if you want a comfortable and efficient lit environment, it is time to invest in lighting ballasts.

Safety Features

Changing light ballasts to better ones can also improve lighting safety. Ballasts limit the voltage and current flowing through the light, preventing potential overheating and electrical failures or fires.

When the ballast shuts down the lighting system, it can help prevent more damage to the other components.

Types of Lighting Ballasts

Lighting ballasts vary widely depending on the type of lamp. Below are the common ballast types found in the market.

Standard Lighting Ballasts

These are simple ballasts used for different lighting systems. Its work is to keep the current under the rated limit. Expect to come across such ballasts in neon lamps or LED lights for improving the lighting quality while keeping it operating in the right conditions.

Fluorescent Lighting Ballasts

These ballasts for lights work best for fluorescent lamps. Having too much power reaching the lamp could lead to issues such as overheating. The fluorescent lighting ballasts are used to maintain the operating temperature to a minimum while also keeping the light working correctly.

LED Light Ballasts

As much as the standard lighting ballasts can work in LED lights, expect to also come across LED-specific light ballasts. Their job remains the same, to keep the light operating based on the rated ballast current and voltage figures. You can still upgrade your existing lights with these ballasts if they lack them.

The ballasts can also be categorized as either magnetic or electronic.

The magnetic ballasts are an older technology, but they are still good at keeping the light working as expected. They contain inductive coils and transformers whose function is to control the voltage and current reaching the lamp.

Electronic ballasts are better at regulating current and voltage, especially at higher frequencies. They are more efficient, lighter, and smaller than the magnetic ballasts. They are also able to eliminate the buzzing and flickering better. Some even come with dimming capabilities to adapt the light to your needs.

How to Install or Replace a Lighting Ballast

We will consider a situation where you need to do a light ballast replacement because the old one is damaged. Below is the process you can follow to get the job done.

1. Make sure that you switch off the power connecting to the fixture. You can use a tester to check there is no power still going through the lighting fixture.
2. Open the light fixture by removing the cover to reach the damaged lighting ballast. Identify the damaged ballast and disconnect the wires connecting to it. Make sure you keep a mental snapshot of the connection, as you will need to wire the new ballast the same way.
3. Once you disconnect the wires, unclip or unscrew the ballast from the lighting fixture.
4. It is time to install the new ballast. Start by mounting the ballast into position by using the mounting hardware.
5. Reconnect the wires corresponding to the right terminals. You can always consult the wiring diagram when wiring the lighting ballaststo ensure they work correctly. Check that the wires and nuts are done correctly and that you have a secure connection.
6. With the new lighting ballast in, it is time to reassemble and test the fixture. Turn on the power from the circuit breaker and turn on the light to see if it works.

The entire process should take you no more than 15 minutes, as most lighting ballasts are plug-and-play. If you are ever in doubt, always consult with an electrician.

How to Test Light Ballasts

Now that you know how to change light ballasts, it is also vital to know how to test light ballasts. However, before all that, you should know when to test it.

Some of the signs that make you consider resting lighting ballasts include.

• When the lights flicker frequently or keep dimming, this is because the lighting ballasts are struggling to provide a stable current to the lamp.
• You may also hear buzzing or humming noises coming from the lighting fixture. This is a clear indication that the ballast is failing.
• A delayed startup could also be a reason for a failing ballast. In addition to delayed startup, the lamp will flicker first before fully lighting up.
• Have you ever seen scenarios where the light has dim spots while others are bright or the brightness is not the same. It could be an issue with the ballast, and it needs testing to be sure.
• Check if the light has burn marks or a swollen casing. This is mostly for the magnetic ballasts.

As for the testing part, open the light fixture to reach the ballast. You will be testing for resistance, so set the multimeter to ohms. Test the input wires and test the same for the output wires. Compare the values to get with what comes with the lighting ballasts.

You can also test the current and voltage on both the input and output sides in addition to the resistance.

We recommend testing twice to see if the readings are consistent. Of course, clean the connection points before you start testing to ensure the readings are accurate. Also, using quality leads for testing can improve accuracy to help you make the right decision.

Once you test the lighting ballasts and the values are not what is expected, it is best to replace them. Lighting ballast replacement is not hard, as we have seen earlier, and it gives you better lighting while saving energy.

How to Pick the Right Lighting Ballast

Choosing magnetic or electric light ballasts should not be hard. If you are new to lighting ballasts, you can do this.

1. Light Type and Compatibility

Expect to come across different types of lighting ballasts. However, make sure that you choose them based on the lamp type. The lamp types include fluorescent tubes, LED tubes, CFLs, and more.

When you look at the ballast type, there will be an indication showing which type of lamp it can work best with.

The specification sheet will also indicate the wattage, number of lamps that can be connected to the ballast, and more.

2. Ballast Type

The idea is to get a ballast type that will work well for your lighting system. Options include magnetic or electronic ballasts. We recommend electronic ballasts because they offer more energy efficiency and last longer. Only use magnetic ballasts if the lighting system is not compatible with electronic ballasts.

3. Ballast Factor

Look at the ballast factor as well. This indicates the light output amount relative to the input power.

Choose a model with the right ballast factor. If it is low, it leads to less light output, but power usage is also lower, and vice versa. So, depending on your needs, you can choose the right one based on the ballast factor.

4. Start Type and Operation

You will come across options such as instant start, rapid start, and programmed start for the lighting ballasts.

Instant start means the light comes on immediately. As for rapid start, the lamp gradually reaches its full brightness.

The programmed start means having a more controlled start process depending on the input.

We cannot forget about the dimmable ballasts, which allow for adjusting the light output depending on your lighting needs.

5. Ease of Installation

We still recommend getting a lighting ballast that is easy to install. This ensures you have an easy time installing the lighting ballast if you need to replace an old one. Check the ballast size and mounting space. Make sure to only choose the right fit so that no modifications are needed to install the ballast.

How to Achieve Low Energy Use with Lighting Ballasts

Choosing efficient ballast types largely influences your energy use. Start by selecting electronic ballasts rather than magnetic ballasts. This is because they use improved circuitry that can deliver good energy use.

Also, consider the high power factor ballasts. They are designed to minimize power losses while optimizing performance. Look for a circled letter “E” on the ballast to identify them.

Dimming capabilities definitely allow you to choose the light levels which determine the energy use. When you have lower illumination most of the time, then the energy use is also lower.

Smart Technology is now also being integrated into ballasts. The idea is to have a ballast that can adjust light out depending on natural light levels or occupancy. As a result, if it is during the day, you end up with an off lamp but it automatically turns on at night.

You could still retrofit LED tube lighting with a ballast rather than replacing the whole fixture. As you know, LEDs are generally energy efficient and will last longer than fluorescent tubes.

Conclusion

The best lighting ballasts will do a lot for your lighting system. They will remain important by ensuring only the rated voltage and current go through the light. The result is having a durable lamp that gives you good performance for a long time. Still, you can enjoy more energy efficiency since only the required amount of power is used leading to no energy wastage.