What do the letters and numbers mean on a ballast?
What do the letters and numbers mean on a ballast?
About Advance Ballasts and Fluorescent Lamps. Advance Ballasts that utilize fluorescent lamps usually come in two shapes, straight and u-shaped. Most fluorescent types are T5, T8, and T12. The T stands for tubular and the number provides the diameter in 1/8 of an inch. Therefore, a T12 ballast must use a T12 bulb.
What information can you get from the ballast label?
The label on the ballast shows two important labels.
- Lamp compatibility table (type of lamps that can be used with this ballast)
- Ballast wiring diagram (shows how the ballast is wired to the lamps)
How do I know what kind of fluorescent ballast I have?
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.
Does my ballast contain PCBs?
Ballasts manufactured between 1979 and 1998 that do not contain PCBs are labeled “No PCBs” If a ballast is not labeled “No PCBs”, it is best to assume it contains PCBs. If the ballast does contain PCBs, they are located inside the small capacitor or in the surrounding potting material.
Are fluorescent ballasts hazardous waste?
Ballasts manufactured through 1979 may contain PCBs. PCB-containing ballasts become a concern if they are leaking or they will be removed and disposed of as hazardous waste.
Is my ballast T8 or T12?
Replace Current Lamp You will see either T8 or T12 stamped on one side near the end with the prongs. You also will see the lamp’s rated wattage, usually 32 watts for T8 and 40 watts for T12. Measure the diameter of the lamp. T12 lamps are larger than T8 lamps, with a 1 ½-inch diameter.
What do the numbers on a fluorescent light ballast mean?
The label on the ballast shows two important labels. Fluorescent tubes have two common shapes, straight and u-shaped. The most common types are T12, T8, and T5. The T stands for tubular and the number indicates the diameter in 1/8 of an inch. Lamp diameter is determined by ballast type.
What are the different types of ballast bulbs?
The most common types are T12, T8, and T5. The T stands for tubular and the number indicates the diameter in 1/8 of an inch. Lamp diameter is determined by ballast type. A fixture with a T12 ballast must use a T12 bulb. A fixture with a T8 ballast must use a T8 bulb, etc. There are three requirements when matching a ballast to a lamp.
What happens if you don’t have a ballast for fluorescent lights?
The process that occurs inside a fluorescent light involves molecules of mercury gas being heated by electricity and made more conductive. Without a ballast to control this, there would be too much current for the light to take, and it would burn out and possibly even catch fire. How does a fluorescent light ballast work?
How do you dispose of fluorescent light ballasts?
Ballasts without labels must be disposed as hazardous waste. While non-PCB ballasts can be disposed in the garbage, it is environmentally preferable to recycle them as scrap metal; see listing below. Do not put ballasts in the curbside recycling cart. What to do with broken fluorescent lamps? Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
