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What is the necessity of a starter in a fluorescent lamp?
When line voltage is applied across the starter, it closes a circuit, connecting the filaments at the ends of the bulb in series so they heat up. Once the mercury in the lamp …is vaporized, the starter breaks the filament circuit, and the ballast provides a voltage pulse to start the current flow down the length of the tube, lighting it. While the bulb is lighted, the voltage across the starter is low and it does not energize the filaments. When you see a fluorescent lamp flashing, the bulb is worn out and the starter keeps vainly trying to start it. Eventually the starter will wear out and will need to be replaced also. Newer fluorescent fixtures have lamps and ballasts that do not require a starter. (MORE)
