What is the difference between a rapid start and instant start ballast?
Instant start lamps don’t use a preheating method. Instead, they send a high amount of voltage across the lamp upon the strike. Typically, instant start ballasts use 1.5-2 watts less per lamp than rapid start ballasts. Instant start lamps also start reliably at temperatures as low as zero degrees.
Can you replace a rapid start ballast with an instant start ballast?
4 lamp rapid start magnetic ballasts should be replaced with one 4 lamp instant start electronic ballast. Each lampholder has four separate connections. Connect each of the individual blue wires from the instant start ballast to each pair of the lampholder individual wires (red and blue) of lamps 1 and 2.
How do I know which ballast to replace?
The only things that matter when you’re replacing a ballast are we’re number one the number of bulbs number two the type of bulbs number three the voltage.
How do I know if my ballast is instant start?
Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that is likely to work with direct drop-in LED tubes (with caveats: see the next section below).
What can I do with an old ballast?
According to EPA Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) regulations, the material must be incinerated. The entire lighting fixture does not need special handling and disposal as long as the ballast (electrical box) is not leaking. The non-leaking ballasts can be removed and recycled or disposed of properly.
How can you tell if a ballast is electronic or magnetic?
Method One – Use your smart phone camera. Stand under the light or a place close to the light and point your cell phone camera at the light. If you can see some strong dark strips flickering in your camera, it must be a magnetic ballast based light. Otherwise it should be an electronic ballast based light.
How do you bypass an instant start ballast?
How to Bypass A Ballast
- Step 1: Disconnect All Power So There is No Electrical Current.
- Step 2: Find the Ballast.
- Step 3: Locate and Cut Only the Hot and Neutral Wires.
- Step 4: Cut the Socket Lead Wires.
- Step 5: Remove the Ballast (if you wish)
- Step 6: Connect the Wires.
- Step 7: Reattach Any Coverings and Turn On.
How do you replace an instant start ballast?
Replace Rapid Start Ballast with Instant Start – YouTube
What happens if you wire a ballast wrong?
If a ballast fails, it can cause a short, burn out tubes or even cause a fire, so it must be replaced. Lights that don’t turn on, fluorescent tubes blackened near their ends, and brown, burnt tube electrodes are all indicators that a ballast is bad.
How do I know if my ballast is T8 or T12?
UNDERSTANDING fluorescent lights t5 t8 t12 electronic magnetic ballast
How can you tell if the ballast is bad?
If your fluorescent lighting is displaying any of the signs below, it could be a symptom of a bad ballast:
- Flickering.
- Buzzing.
- Delayed start.
- Low output.
- Inconsistent lighting levels.
- Switch to an electronic ballast, keep lamp.
- Switch to an electronic ballast, switch to a T8 fluorescent.
Are old ballasts worth money?
Depending on their age, and their casing, even if they have to be scrapped, ballasts can be worth a couple of dollars. According to current listings, if you can resell one that’s in fantastic condition, you can often get $13 to $20 for the average ballast! These are ones in great condition.
When were PCB ballasts banned?
EPA recommends that school administrators and building owners consider removing and replacing HID ballasts that contain PCBs. In 1976, Congress banned PCB manufacturing in the United States due to their toxic effects.
Can I replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast?
Fortunately, compatibility isn’t really an issue, as most electronic ballasts have been designed to replace existing magnetic ballasts. A preferable electronic ballast is the T8 model. This option has several advantages over the T10 and T12, including improved lighting efficiency.
What is the difference between a magnetic ballast and an electronic ballast?
Magnetic ballasts work at a frequency of around 60 Hz, whereas electronic ballasts work at an increased frequency of around 20,000 Hz. This is why fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts do not flicker or emit any buzzing sounds. Electronic ballasts are also quite smaller in size and weight.
Is it safe to bypass a ballast?
Safety risk The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It’s a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .
Do you have to bypass ballast for LED lights?
An LED light does not require a ballast because it uses a component called a “driver” to regulate the power going into the bulb.
How do you know if a ballast is bad?
Can you replace a magnetic ballast with an electronic ballast?
How can you tell if a ballast is bad?
What is the red wire on a ballast?
2 and 3 lamp instant start ballasts use blue wires for individual connections, and red wires for common connections. Black wire is for line voltage and white wire for neutral. An instant start ballast uses a single wire which connects from the ballast to each of the lamp terminals.
Can you replace a T12 ballast with a T8 ballast?
The easiest and lowest price option to replace a T12 is a T8 linear fluorescent. They have become the go-to option for pre-existing T12s. If you still have magnetic ballasts, switching to a T8 will require a ballast swap. Another option is to move forward with an LED retrofit.
Can I put a T8 bulb in a T12 ballast?
Direct-wire compatible T8 LED tube lights can be used in a T12 fixture, as long as the T12 ballast is either bypassed, or completely removed.
Can a ballast be repaired?
Sometimes, the colour coding on the old ballast does not match the new ballast. We recommend that you always hire a qualified electrician to have a ballast repair or ballast replacement service done.
How long do ballasts last?
A typical ballast will generally last about 20 years, but cold environments and bad bulbs can decrease this lifespan significantly. You can get a new ballast at a hardware store or home center and install it in about 10 minutes.