Ballast
A ballast is an electronic device that limits current. These are required for fluorescent bulbs.
The old school incandescent lamps didn't need a ballast, they used simple resistance to limit the current. CFL replacements have a ballast in the base of the lamp. This is why the screw in bulbs have that heavy base, the ballast (current limiter) is inside. The same is true for all fluorescent lamps, they must have a ballast.
Fluorescent tubes work by allowing plasma to flow through them, there is NO device in the lamp to limit this current. If you connected them directly to electricity, they would rapidly increase the power flowing through them until they exploded, a few seconds later. The ballast limits how much electricity will flow, thus protects them.
Some ballasts are a fixed wattage type, say 32 watts or 40 watts. Most of the ballasts we sell are not, and are adaptive wattage. These are much more efficient and allows for the same ballast to be used a lot of different ways. For example, a SunHorse will power 4 F71 lamps, or it will power 4 F40 lamps. It just automatically powers down when it senses the load on the F40 lamps, which are 2 foot shorter.
Fixed wattage ballasts are simpler to work with, but we use the new high frequency adaptive ballasts due to the flexibility and better power utilization. Our kits are designed around them, utilizing the best mix of power and output.
The old school incandescent lamps didn't need a ballast, they used simple resistance to limit the current. CFL replacements have a ballast in the base of the lamp. This is why the screw in bulbs have that heavy base, the ballast (current limiter) is inside. The same is true for all fluorescent lamps, they must have a ballast.
Fluorescent tubes work by allowing plasma to flow through them, there is NO device in the lamp to limit this current. If you connected them directly to electricity, they would rapidly increase the power flowing through them until they exploded, a few seconds later. The ballast limits how much electricity will flow, thus protects them.
Some ballasts are a fixed wattage type, say 32 watts or 40 watts. Most of the ballasts we sell are not, and are adaptive wattage. These are much more efficient and allows for the same ballast to be used a lot of different ways. For example, a SunHorse will power 4 F71 lamps, or it will power 4 F40 lamps. It just automatically powers down when it senses the load on the F40 lamps, which are 2 foot shorter.
Fixed wattage ballasts are simpler to work with, but we use the new high frequency adaptive ballasts due to the flexibility and better power utilization. Our kits are designed around them, utilizing the best mix of power and output.
| Solacure Means Quality Solacure ultraviolet lamps aren't just good, we guarantee they are the best or we will give you your money back. Our patented glass is more transparent to UVA and UVB. Our custom cathode/anode sets lets you run 2 to 3 times more power than a standard lamp in the same size. All of our lamps have built in reflectors. We have a lamp for every need. We stand behind everything we sell and guarantee each will perform exactly to specification, or we will replace them. We don't want your business this week, we want it every week, and we are willing to earn it. There really is a difference in quality when it comes to ultraviolet bulbs, and Solacure tops the list. Order online, over the phone, or call us if you need a custom UV lamp made, with fairly low minimums (around 2000 pieces). We can make it happen. Buy with confidence: We like what we do, and we've been doing it for over 30 years. |
 Got a question? The best way is usually to email us at sales@solacure.com. |
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