Specialty and Architectural Lighting — Ballasts

Over the last few months, matching UV bulbs to ballasts has become increasingly difficult. While specialized ultraviolet ballasts have been bought up, equipment manufacturers have become more creative in finding compatible fluorescent ballasts for the UVC bulbs. But will these always work? And how can you find a compatible ballast?

If you've ever had to work for 16 months in an office with overhead fluorescent tubes that flicker or buzz, you know how annoying they can be. If you work in an office with flickering lights AND buzzing ballasts, you may have a permanent headache (in addition to your boss). While the effects are headache-inducing for some people, you may wonder why no one has called the maintenance manager to replace what appears to be...

Commercial fluorescent lighting systems consist primarily of T8 lamps and electronic ballasts. While LED linear tubes now compete as replacements for traditional fluorescent, the vast majority of existing and replacement ceiling lighting in offices, schools, hospitals, and other institutions is fluorescent. At it's best, fluorescent lamp/ballast systems can offer efficiencies, lamp life and cost effectiveness that rival LED. A key feature of fluorescent lighting is the type of lamp starting technology used. There are three...