How do dimmable fluorescent ballasts work?

How Does Lutron Dim Fluorescent Lamps? Lutron ballasts control the current passing through the lamp to offer the user light level control. As part of the dimming process, it is important to keep the filaments warm by passing a current through them.

What is the voltage coming out of a fluorescent ballast?

Many fluorescent ballasts are now universal voltage, meaning they can be run on line voltage from 120 to 277 volts. For international or industrial use, 347-480V ballasts are available.

Do ballasts reduce voltage?

Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output. Thus, some ballasts have a separate circuit that provides a low voltage to heat the lamp electrodes during lamp starting and typically during lamp operation (Hammer, 1995).

What is the voltage required to keep a fluorescent tube operational?

Fluorescent starters are a timed switch and it provides ignition voltage to the fluorescent lamp. The ignition voltage is as high as 1000 V to initiate a discharge in the argon gas lying between electrodes. The switch opens and closes until the fluorescent tube ‘strikes’ and lights-up.

Which control can be used to dim fluorescent lighting?

Fluorescent fixtures are dimmed using a special dimmable ballast. This is because standard ballasts typically do not have the ability to maintain electrode heat to the degree required for proper gas excitation when input voltage is varied.

How many wires must be run between a dimming type fluorescent ballast and the dimmer control?

two wires
Two-wire controlled ballasts have two wires between the dimmer control and the ballast: Dimmed Hot and Neutral.

What is the output voltage of a T8 ballast?

These ballasts deliver >550 open circuit volts when starting lamps and operate lamps at high frequencies which offers flicker-free operation and better lamp efficiencies.

What is the output voltage of a t12 ballast?

Specifications

Input Voltage	120V
Input Current	0.80 to 1.65 A2
Ballast Type	Electronic
Starting Method	Rapid Start
Lamp Connection	Series

What is the output voltage of a T5 ballast?

Ballasts for T5 lamps are available for 120-, 277-, 240-, and 347-volt operations. Most T5 ballasts are more compact than T8 ballasts, although the dimensions vary depending on manufacturer and lamp type.

Does a ballast reduce voltage?

Once the arc is established, the ballast quickly reduces the voltage and regulates the electric current to produce a steady light output. Maintaining an optimum electrode temperature is the key to long lamp life.

How much voltage is induced during starting in fluorescent tube?

Fluorescent starter: Fluorescent starters are a timed switch and it provides ignition voltage to the fluorescent lamp. The ignition voltage is as high as 1000 V to initiate a discharge in the argon gas lying between electrodes.