What Are the Different Types of Ballast?
Many different types of lightbulbs require the use of a ballast to properly function, but there are only a few different types of ballasts available to consumers. Each type of has practical applications.
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Types
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According to the California Energy Commission, electronic ballasts and magnetic ballasts are the two main types on the market. Adaptable ballasts are a specific type of electronic ballast.
Function
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The Lighting Research Center claims that the basic function of any type of ballast is to regulate a lightbulb's input energy and provide starting voltages. A single adaptable ballast can be employed to operate several lamps of varying voltages.
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Features
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Magnetic ballasts can be bothersome to some people because they flicker upwards of 120 times per second. Electronic ballasts operate relatively quietly, nearly eliminate flicker and are more energy-efficient than magnetic ballasts.
Lightbulbs
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Several types of lightbulbs, like high-intensity discharge (HID) lightbulbs including metal halide and high-pressure sodium lightbulbs, utilize ballasts to control energy input. Fluorescent lightbulbs also employ ballasts.
Applications
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Electronic ballasts have wider applications and are often used to replace magnetic ballasts. However, high-output light bubs still require magnetic ballasts.
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References
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Comments
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gardenmuse
Nov 22, 2010
A ballast is not just an important tool in the home but is also very essential in order to get the best yields in hydroponics. It is a fact that one main reason why indoor plants survive and flourish well is because of proper lighting. Indoor plants, like outdoor soil-grown plants, need all the natural lighting that they can get in order to grow very well. But since sunlight is scarce inside the home, indoor plants would need a similar form of light which grow lights can sufficiently provide. However, grow lights will not function well with a ballast which is why it is essential to get a durable one.
