The internal control device in a fluorescent light fixture that starts the lamp and keeps it running steadily.
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.
On renovation and tenant-improvement bids, ballast scope signals whether the project keeps existing fluorescent fixtures or converts to LED, and that decision swings both material cost and labor. Estimators retrofitting older buildings must decide between ballast replacement, ballast-bypass LED tubes, or full fixture replacement, each with different rebate eligibility and disposal requirements. Misreading the lighting spec here can leave thousands in utility rebates on the table or understate the labor to re-lamp a large floor plate.
Bidding a warehouse lighting upgrade, the electrical estimator compares replacing failed magnetic ballasts against a full LED fixture swap and quotes the LED option because the available utility rebate offsets most of the material premium.
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