What is a fluorescent lamp ballast and what does it do?
A fluorescent lamp ballast is an electrical transformer. Fluorescent lamps require different voltages at different places in the lamp in a standard rapid start system. There are small filaments at the end of the lamp that require low voltage (approx. 4 volts) to aid in starting the lamp, this is called cathode voltage. The lamp also requires a higher voltage (200 volts or higher depending on lamp type) from end to end on the lamp to operate, this is called arc voltage. The ballast transforms line voltage 120 volts to these requirements. The ballast limits the amount of current that the lamp can draw. This prevents the lamp from drawing too much current and failing. What is color rendition (CRI)? Color rendition is the color appearance of an object when lighted. The higher the color rendering index (CRI), the less distortion of the object’s color. Scales ranges from 0 to 100. Higher number indicates less color shift. See also CRI in the glossary of terms. What is color appearance? Color
A fluorescent lamp ballast is an electrical transformer. Fluorescent lamps require different voltages at different places in the lamp in a standard rapid start system. There are small filaments at the end of the lamp that require low voltage (approx. 4 volts) to aid in starting the lamp, this is called cathode voltage. The lamp also requires a higher voltage (200 volts or higher depending on lamp type) from end to end on the lamp to operate, this is called arc voltage. The ballast transforms line voltage 120 volts to these requirements. The ballast limits the amount of current that the lamp can draw. This prevents the lamp from drawing too much current and failing. What is color rendition (CRI)? Color rendition is the color appearance of an object when lighted. The higher the color rendering index (CRI), the less distortion of the object’s color. Scales ranges from 0 to 100. Higher number indicates less color shift. See also CRI in the glossary of terms. What is color appearance? Color
