![rss series wired electronic ballasts rss series wired electronic ballasts](https://dr57jvnp7m7qg.cloudfront.net/media/catalog/product/cache/5a36137c628cc4b3d756c021c48c6d6e/r/s/rss_1_1_1.jpg)
To avoid this problem, a ballast resistor was inserted in series with the ignition system, resulting in two different operating voltages for the starting and ignition systems. But once the vehicle was started and the starter disengaged, the normal operating voltage was too high for the ignition system. To allow the engine to start, the ignition system was designed to operate on this lower voltage. Starting the engine requires a significant amount of electrical current from the battery, resulting in an equally significant voltage drop.
![rss series wired electronic ballasts rss series wired electronic ballasts](https://www.mdpi.com/energies/energies-13-02909/article_deploy/html/images/energies-13-02909-g001-550.jpg)
Because the resistance of the ballast resistor is large it determines the current in the circuit, even in the face of negative resistance introduced by the neon lamp.īallast was also a component used in early model automobile engines that lowered the supply voltage to the ignition system after the engine had been started. Resistors Fixed resistors įor simple, low-powered loads such as a neon lamp, a fixed resistor is commonly used. Prior to the advent of solid-state ignition, automobile ignition systems commonly included a ballast resistor to regulate the voltage applied to the ignition system. The ballast provides for the proper operation of the negative-resistance device by limiting current.īallasts can also be used simply to limit the current in an ordinary, positive-resistance circuit. To prevent this, a ballast provides a positive resistance or reactance that limits the current. If such a device were connected to a constant-voltage power supply, it would draw an increasing amount of current until it is destroyed or causes the power supply to fail. These are most often used when a load (such as an arc discharge) has its terminal voltage decline when current through the load increases. It connects the two ends of the lamp to preheat them for one second before lighting.Īn electrical ballast is a device that limits the current through an electrical load. If changing the tubes and starters does not correct the problem, the most likely culprit is the ballast.A lamp starter, required with some inductor type ballasts.
![rss series wired electronic ballasts rss series wired electronic ballasts](http://i.gyazo.com/76441803fedf2b9612c70e689ea272de.png)
Swap with a new or known "good" starter to check. It is difficult to determine if starters are functional merely by inspecting them visually. Starters are very inexpensive (about $2 each) and easy to replace. The starter is a small cylindrical part (3/4-inch (20 mm) diameter x 1 1/4-inch (30 mm) long) that is twisted into a separate socket, usually located near the end of the fixture or behind a lamp. There will be one starter per lamp (tube). If replacing the tubes does not fix the problem and if the light fixture has one or more "starters" (found only in older fixtures), replace the starters. If all of the tubes in a fixture stop working abruptly at the same time, it's likely that the problem is not the tubes. Note, however, that fluorescent lamps generally burn out gradually over time, not suddenly. Usually, if the lamps have turned black at one or both ends, they are bad, but the only way to know for sure is to replace them with good ones. First, replace the tubes with new tubes or with tubes that you know are good. Before you go to the trouble of replacing the ballast, you should determine if a bad ballast is indeed the likely cause of the problem.