Fluorescent Light Ballast Output Voltage

Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts.

Fluorescent light ballast output voltage.

Fluorescent lamps use a ballast which transforms line voltage to a voltage to start up and operate the lamp s. Regulating the electric current flowing through the lamp to stabilize light output. The flicker index used for measuring perceptible light modulation has a range from 0 00 to 1 00 with 0 indicating the lowest possibility of flickering and 1 indicating the highest. Rather than pre heat the electrodes the ballast uses a high voltage boost around 600 volts to heat and light the filaments and then the mercury gas.

Commercial cfls use a separate ballast. In all fluorescent lighting systems the ballast s basic tasks include. The amount of illumination in the fluorescent bulb is controlled by a ballast that is connected to the fixture. Though this makes them energy efficient it also shortens their life as the surge of voltage every time they re switched on damages them over time.

The ballast provides enough voltage to start the fluorescent bulbs and once they are started it quickly lowers the current to produce just enough electricity to produce a steady light source. Some are rated for only 120 volts others for only 277 volts used in commercial environments. It is not a fluorescent tube that is voltage rated it is a ballast that is used to raise the secondary voltage to fire the tube. If your fluorescent fixture is not working properly use a multimeter also called a volt ohm meter to check the fixture s voltage to determine if the problem is the ballast or another component.

Providing the proper voltage to establish an arc between the two electrodes.