Fluorescent tubes are almost always powered with AC, but this circuit uses DC. Basically, this circuit is a voltage doubler composed by two 1N4007 diodes and two high voltage electrolytic capacitors of 10 μF 350 V. Such capacitors can be easily salvaged from compact fluorescent lamps.
Does a ballast convert AC to DC? Working Principle of an Electronic Ballast
Electronic ballast takes supply at 50 – 60 Hz. It first converts AC voltage into DC voltage. After that, filtration of this DC voltage is done by using a capacitor configuration.
When would a fluorescent lamp be operated on DC?
When a fluorescent lamp is to be operated on dc which of the following additional device must be incorporated in the circuit? Fluorescent lamps can run directly from a d.c. supply of sufficient voltage to strike an arc. A choke has very low impedance with dc.
What is the output voltage on 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.
Can fluorescent light work on DC?
Fluorescent lamps can run directly from a direct current (DC) supply of sufficient voltage to strike an arc. The ballast must be resistive, and would consume about as much power as the lamp.
Are fluorescent tubes AC or DC?
Fluorescent tubes are almost always powered with AC, but this circuit uses DC. Basically, this circuit is a voltage doubler composed by two 1N4007 diodes and two high voltage electrolytic capacitors of 10 μF 350 V. Such capacitors can be easily salvaged from compact fluorescent lamps.
Can the fluorescent lamp be used in DC?
A fluorescent tube can be operated on both AC as well as DC.
Is a ballast DC or AC?
AC ballasts do not cause fluctuations in color while DC ones are notorious for varying color temperature. AC ballasts increase lifespan of the whole conversion kit.
What does a ballast do?
ballast – A device required by electric-discharge light sources such as fluorescent or HID lamps to regulate voltage and current supplied to the lamp during start and throughout operation.
What voltage comes out 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.
Are fluorescent lights DC?
Fluorescent lamps are (almost) never operated directly from DC for those reasons. Instead, an inverter converts the DC into AC and provides the current-limiting function as described below for electronic ballasts.
Can fluorescent tube work on DC supply?
Fluorescent lamps can run directly from a direct current (DC) supply of sufficient voltage to strike an arc. The ballast must be resistive, and would consume about as much power as the lamp.
What is the voltage of a fluorescent tube?
"Fluorescent tubes and electroluminescent panels typically require 200 to 600 V for starting and running illumination." A fluorescent light is a type of gas discharge tube, which contains an inert gas (such as argon, neon, or krypton) and mercury vapor.
What is DC ballast?
DC, or direct current, is just that: electrical current that runs in one direction from a power source (ballasts in our case). The current stays constant and does not vary. The problem with DC is the current is distributed unevenly on the electrical components as the current is only going in a single direction.
Do I need a ballast for LED lights?
No LED bulbs require a ballast, although some are engineered to work with an existing ballast. You will find ballast-compatible or "plug-and-play" LEDs that are designed to replace linear fluorescents, compact fluorescents, or HIDs. Incandescent and halogen lamps do not require a ballast.
Is it safe to bypass a ballast?
The most significant negative to a ballast-bypass linear LED is the risk of electric shock since the sockets carry line voltage. It's a common practice to place a finger on the lamp pins while you are trying to install it, and this becomes a risky endeavor when using single-ended ballast-bypass lamps .
What is the output of electronic ballast?
Working Principle of an Electronic Ballast
Now filtered DC voltage is fed to the high-frequency oscillation stage where oscillation is typically square wave and frequency range are from 20 kHz to 80 kHz. Hence output current is with very high frequency.
What voltage comes out of 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.
What is the output voltage of a metal halide ballast?
Most metal halide ballasts operate on 120-277V.
Can tube light work in DC?
It works in DC. Even though the source of the tube light is AC there is an AC-DC converter which converts AC to DC and then the power is supplied to the tube light. Tubelight's usually work on AC power supply.
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.
What voltage does a ballast put out?
Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts. Some are rated for only 120 volts, others for only 277 volts (used in commercial environments).
Are HID ballasts AC or DC?
Both types of ballasts take the DC power from vehicles and power the HID bulbs for light. The difference in these ballasts is in the type of electricity being outputted to the HID bulb. AC ballasts output AC power, while DC ballasts output DC power.
Can plug and play LED bulbs be used without a ballast?
A plug-and-play, or direct fit, linear LED is probably what you're imagining – a simple, one-for-one swap out of the original linear fluorescent lamp. This lamp works directly with the existing fluorescent ballast, so there is no rewiring or ballast change required.
Can you bypass ballast for LED lights?
Since LED lights work on low DC voltage, they need a driver. Most T8 LED tubes do not need a ballast. So, if you are going to install a T8 LED tube light, it will require a ballast bypass unless you choose a ballast compatible T8 LED tube.