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Electricalaka: lamp ballastaka: light ballast

Ballast

In Plain English

The internal control device in a fluorescent light fixture that starts the lamp and keeps it running steadily.

Definition

An electrical device that regulates the current to fluorescent and HID lamps, providing the starting voltage and then limiting current during operation. Ballasts can be magnetic or electronic; electronic ballasts are more energy-efficient and eliminate lamp flicker. LED fixtures have largely replaced ballast-dependent lamp types in modern construction.

Example

The retrofit project replaced aging magnetic ballasts with electronic ballasts to reduce energy consumption by 30%.

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