What is a choke ballast?

A magnetic ballast (also called a choke) contains a coil of copper wire. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire.

What is the function of choke coil or ballast?

A choke coil is used to produce this high voltage across the tube. A choke coil is essentially an inductor. An inductor is used because unlike a resistor, a choke coil does not dissipate energy in the form of heat when current passes through it.

Why choke of fluorescent tube is called as a ballast?

The choke supports the rest of the supply voltage. The ‘choke’ or magnetic ‘ballast’ is a coil with a magnetic core (using silicon steel) that performs three functions. The fluorescent lamp has two electrodes at its two ends but the voltage needed for breakdown is very high, much higher than the supply voltage.

What are the different types of ballast?

Types of Ballast

• Broken stone Ballast. Broken stone is a widely used ballast in railways.
• Sand Ballast. Sand can also be used as a ballast material.
• Gravel Ballast. Ad.
• Moorum Ballast. Moorum is formed by the decomposition of laterite.
• Coal Ash or Cinder Ballast.
• Brickbat Ballast.

Is choke and ballast same?

A choke is an inductor designed to have a high reactance to a particular frequency when used in a signal-carrying circuit. An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to limit the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit.

What is the necessity of choke?

The function of choke is to provide high voltage enough for ionization to take place in a tube light and after establishment and substenance of ionization, limit the voltage across the tube. That is the reason why a tube fuses when the choke is shorted.

Is ballast and choke same?

A choke is an inductor designed to have a high reactance to a particular frequency when used in a signal-carrying circuit. An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to limit the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit. Ballasts vary greatly in complexity.

What are the three types of ballast?

Types of fluorescent ballasts Fluorescent ballasts use three different types of starting technologies: rapid, instant, and programmed.

How do I know what kind of ballast I need?

You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. 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 will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.

What is the difference between ballast and igniter?

Ballast also has terminals which give voltage to igniter. Gas lamps have to be given a HV pulse every cycle to strike and maintain the arc. An igniter is an electronic pulse circuit used for this job. It draws working voltage from taps on ballast, and gives HV pulses of few KV every cycle to the gas lamp to maintain the arc.

What is the difference between a ballast and an electronic choke?

An electronic ballast is used in fluorescent lighting. It replaces the old coil-type ballasts which were less energy efficient and sometimes over-heat and cause fires. An electronic choke is the electronic version of the old automobile mechanical choke.

What is the function of an igniter in a gas lamp?

It carries the high current of the lamp and limits it to rated current while running. Ballast also has terminals which give voltage to igniter. Gas lamps have to be given a HV pulse every cycle to strike and maintain the arc. An igniter is an electronic pulse circuit used for this job.

What does  ignitors mean?

“Ballasts provide system stability by limiting the current that can be drawn.”. Ignitors: “Ignitors provide a brief, high voltage pulse or pulse train to breakdown the gas between the electrodes of an arc lamp. . In really basic terms, the ignitors tell the light bulb to wake up and the ballasts keep the bulbs happy.