If you have ever wondered what is behind the illumination ability of the ordinary light bulb, it will interest you to know that it is more than just an electric power supply. While there will have to be a power source either from direct electricity or a battery source, appropriate lighting won’t be possible without ballasts in the construction.
When it comes to LED, fluorescent, and HID lamps, one thing is essential, they need to be stabilized. And this is where the ballasts play the most role. They help to stabilize the current entering into the lamp.
In most cases, they even act as a safety feature that helps to prolong the life span of the appliance.
What is a Ballasts?
They are a special type of resistor that is attached in the lighting fixture to the main circuits that power a lighting source. You can find them in LED lamps and fluorescent where they help to keep things stable.
Fluctuating power supply and power outage are some of the things that can put your system at risk and without a safety feature in place, you could be replacing them occasionally.
Their function begins as soon as you turn on the lights, and they stabilize the illumination at different intervals while in operation. Some types of installations may also feature a dimmer and together can assist in adjusting the power to suit user-defined needs.
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How Light Ballasts Work?
To get a better understanding of the operation of ballasts in illumination technology, imagine the steps it takes to switch on a light bulb. All you need do is to flick the switch on and the light comes on. But in reality, a lot of in-fixture connectors work to make this possible.
In the case of the ballasts, it sends a high voltage of current supply which fires the bulb on. This current emanates from the main voltages and provides sufficient power that can complete the arc between the two electrodes in the fixture producing light.
You can check this link https://home.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp2.htm for more on the working of your lighting fixtures.
How to Install Light Ballasts?
You may need to change your lighting fixtures as they age or when they become faulty. And for the ballasts, they must be in the best working condition. Common tell signs that need to be changed include frequent flicking of the lights and inconsistency with coming on.
When it comes to making changes to your fluorescent ballasts, you can follow the simple procedure below.
- First, turn off the power source. This will help with ensuring that you don’t get electrocuted during the process. It also helps to safeguard other components of your device while operating on the light fixture. Plug out the connecting cables from the power source if necessary.
- Carefully remove the covering from the ballast to expose the lighting fixture. You may want to check with the manufacturer to know how to do this properly. You can find this information online if you get a popular product, or can also find videos online to guide you on how to do this.
- Carefully cut out the wires that connect the ballasts with a plier or wire strip.
- Next, using a screwdriver or nut remover take out the screws or nuts that connect the ballasts to the device. You want to secure the ballasts with your hand so it doesn’t fall off while unscrewing or taking out the nuts.
- You then have to strip the wires that connect the insulation to the light fixture and new ballasts. Take out half an inch from both ends of the wire connecting to the insulation.
- Now you want to carefully place the ballasts in the place where the old one was and carefully put back the nuts or screws.
- Using a pair of pliers twists the wires at the ends of the fixture to make a tight grip. Twisting with the pliers twice or thrice should provide a secure connection. The wire connector helps secure the exposed ends of the wiring and ensures that the attachment is stiff.
- Replace the ballast cover and carefully inspect that there is nothing out of place before you turn back the power connection.
- You should get firm lighting that doesn’t flicker and comes on as soon as it is powered.
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Maintaining your Lighting Fixtures
The surest way you can guarantee that you won’t have to change a light bulb always is to ensure that you keep all your installations in check.
Note the power voltage getting to the device is right and do not waste time to get expert assistance if you need one. You can check this page for suggestions about working with an electrician.
You can use a dry cloth to wipe dust and dirt from the bulbs if they have been exposed outdoors for too long. You can easily tell it needs cleaning if you observe a cloudy space whenever the fixture is turned on.
