A. Visit the FAQ page of the EPACT website for your answer.
Q. What is the energy efficiency advantage of electronic over magnetic ballasts?
A. Electronic high-frequency ballasts increase lamp-ballast efficacy, leading to increased energy efficiency and lower operating costs. Electronic ballasts operate lamps using electronic switching power supply circuits. Electronic ballasts take incoming 60 Hz power (120 or 277 volts) and convert it to high-frequency AC (usually 20 to 40 kHz). Electronic ballasts are more efficient than magnetic ballasts in converting input power to the proper lamp power, and their operating of fluorescent lamps at higher frequencies reduces end losses, resulting in an overall lamp-ballast system efficacy increase of 15% to 20%.
Q. Are their any other advantages of electronic ballasts over magnetic ballasts?
A. Electronic ballasts have a number of other advantages over magnetic ballasts. Electronic ballasts are readily available that operate three or four lamps, allowing the use of a single ballast in 3-lamp and 4-lamp luminaires. This reduces both installation and field wiring labor costs, and may negate the necessity of tandem luminaire wiring as required by the 1992 Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential and Nonresidential Buildings (Title 24). Electronic ballasts are designed to operate lamps in either series or parallel mode. The advantage of the parallel mode of operation is that a single lamp failure will not affect the operation of the remaining lamps controlled by the same ballast. However, ballast losses will increase slightly in the parallel mode. Other advantages of the electronic ballast include reduced weight, quieter operation, and reduced lamp flicker. Electronic ballasts are directly interchangeable with magnetic ballasts, and they are available to operate most full-size and compact fluorescent lamps.
Q. Why do my fluorescent lights flicker?
A. Most ballasts are not designed for temperatures less than 50 degrees and may cause flickering. Special low-temperature ballasts are available. The lamp may not properly installed in the socket. The lamp is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced. The lamp and the ballast wattage requirements are not properly matched.
Q. What is a compact fluorescent?
A. Unlike incandescent bulbs which use a filament, Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs give off light when a mixture of three phosphors are exposed to ultraviolet light from mercury atoms. Compact fluorescent's are used as an alternative to standard light bulbs.
Q. Why choose Compact Fluorescent Lighting (CFL)?
A. An average user can expect to save $36.00 per bulb when using Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs over incandescent bulbs. CFLs do cost more upfront, however this cost is matched after using the CFL for 500 hours. Incandescent bulbs generally last 500 to 2,000 hours. Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs can last in excess of 8,000 hours.
Q. What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?
A. EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org to identify local recycling options.
Q. How efficient are high-pressure sodium lamps?
A. The high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamp has the highest lamp efficiency of all lamps commonly used indoors. It produces a golden-white light when electricity passes through a sodium vapor. The low-pressure sodium (LPS) lamp, the most efficient of all, is used where color is not important because all colors illuminated by an LPS light source appear as tones of gray or yellow.
Q. What is the difference between Halogen, Krypton and Xenon bulbs?
A. Halogen bulbs are normally filled with about 99% inert gas and 1% halogen gas. The inert gas typically used is argon, which creates a yellower light and burns hot. Krypton and Xenon bulbs use Different fill gases to alter their performance and physical characteristics. Krypton bulbs cost more to produce, however, they offer better performance with their long life and a better quality light. Xenon gas is used to create a bulb that produces a whiter light that burns at a cooler temperature. Xenon bulbs have a longer rated life than standard halogens.
Q. What is Ballast Factor and Why is That Important?
A. Ballast Factor (BF) is a measurement that compares the ratio of light output of a lamp or lamps operated by a specific ballast to the light output of the same lamp or lamps operated by a standard reference ballast.The higher the BF is, the higher the wattage running through the ballast. Some applications need a lower BF to conserve energy and reduce light output, while others prefer a higher BF to increase light output. However, a higher BF does decrease the life of the lamp.
Q. What is the Difference Between Instant Start and Rapid Start Ballast?
A. Instant Start (IS) ballast require a larger amount of energy to start the lamp than Rapid Start (RS). This can reduce the lamp life by up to 25% if you turn the light on and off quite a bit. However, IS ballast does use less energy than the RS ballast, passing on energy savings to the customer. RS ballast preheat cathodes before turning on the lamp, and more energy is used to keep the cathodes constantly heated. With RS, one gets more lamp life, but less efficiency.
Q. What is THD?
A. THD stands for Total Harmonic Distortion. The distortion is feedback caused by deviation from the sinusoidal waveform. The industry standard is less than 20%. If the THD is very high (around 150%), an electrical fire can occur. Magnetic ballast run 90%-120% THD.
