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Firstly, there are a few meanings for the word ballast, and they are used in different contexts.
In an electrical context:
Electrically, It adds resistance to limit the current. In a fluorescent light fitting, the ballast adds resistance. Once the lamp conducts, it presents a very low resistance to the circuit and would draw too much current. The ballast coil also has reactance and provides a back emf pulse, to enable the lamp to fire (conduct) when it is interrupted by the starter.
In an a shipping context:
Ballast is used in ships and submarines (both new and old) to provide stability to the vessel within the water. Normally the trim of a boat in the water will differ whether it carrying a cargo or not, if the ship is lighter and higher in the water it is more inclined to roll from side to side in heavy weather. In order to prevent this ballast tanks are used in ships, these are then filled with seawater in to make the ship heavier (lower) in the water and less prone to tilting. Before the ship takes on cargo the tanks are pumped out making the boat "ride" higher in the water. Earlier wooden vessels also used ballast, but would use stones, rock or bricks for this purpose.
In submarines, ballast tanks are flooded with water or purged using compressed air in order to maintain neutral buoyancy, or to allow the submarine to ascend or descend.
In hydraulics/ irrigation terms:
Ballast tanks (sometimes called buffer tanks) are used in irrigation and Plumbing systems to provide a buffer between supply and demand systems. A simple example of this is the water tank of your toilet. The system, when flushing requires a fairly substantial amount of water, the mains water supply of a typical house does not have this volume all at once, so the water is stored in a small ballast tank. When you press the flusher a larger volume of water that can normally be supplied by the house water supply is release - giving you a clean bowl.
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Why do ballast get burned?
Heat is generated in a working ballast because of the current flowing through it. Heat is bad for any electrical/electronic device and will eventually cause it to fail.
Where is Fluorescent light wiring diagram?
For information about fluorescent tube lights see the answers to the Related questions and the Related link shown below.
Do you need a ballast for HPS lights?
Yes, a ballast is required for HPS (high-pressure sodium) lights. The ballast helps regulate the electrical current and provides the initial high voltage needed to start the lamp. Without a ballast, the HPS light would not function properly.
How to connect ballast?
Ballast connection diagrams are on the identification label that is on the ballast.
How do you wire a 4-lamp electronic ballast?
The way a metal halide light is set up, there's a transformer in it called a "ballast." The ballast powers the bulb. You can wire ballasts to a lot of different voltages--which voltages you can use are dependent on the ballast in question--but 120v single phase is almost always one of the choices. So yes, you can do it.
How do you change a ballast?
There are many types of ballasts in the electrical industry. To get an answe, the type of ballast must be stated.
Can an electrical timer be used to control on and off power to self ballast lamps?
Yes, an electrical timer can be used to control the on and off operation of the power to self ballast lamps.
What is ballast resistance?
A ballast resistor is an electrical device inserted into a circuit to compensate for changes arising from temperature fluctuations. It helps regulate voltage flowing in an electrical system to avoid overloads or battery damage.
What is a ballast resistor?
A ballast resistor is an electrical resistor whose resistance varies with the current passing through it, thus maintaining a constant current.
What the difference between ballast and transformer?
A transformer changes the amperage and / or voltage. It literally "Transforms" electrical energy. A ballast is like a capacitor. Think of a ballast as a short-term battery. It stores power then releases it as needed. A common example of a ballast is on fluorescent lights. Initially, a fluorescent light needs a big blast of energy to excite the gas molecules into emitting photons (light). Then it only needs a small amount of energy to keep the gas molecules in an excited state. However, that power has to be of consistent amperage and voltage. The ballast is designed to do that. The electrical ballast stores energy in the same way that a water ballast stores water for stability. Because the electrical ballast stores far more power than the device it regulates requires, it too provides a kind of electrical stability. That's why you often see a fluorescent light flicker or "lose stability" when the ballast starts to go bad. A transformer transforms voltage and amperage up or down. A ballast provides a stabile power supply.
Why do ballast get burned?
Heat is generated in a working ballast because of the current flowing through it. Heat is bad for any electrical/electronic device and will eventually cause it to fail.
What does an electronic ballast do?
Electronic ballast is designed to limit the current which goes through an electrical circuit. This keeps the circuit from overheating or suffering other ill effects from having too much current.
Where is Fluorescent light wiring diagram?
For information about fluorescent tube lights see the answers to the Related questions and the Related link shown below.
Do you need a ballast for HPS lights?
Yes, a ballast is required for HPS (high-pressure sodium) lights. The ballast helps regulate the electrical current and provides the initial high voltage needed to start the lamp. Without a ballast, the HPS light would not function properly.
Which electrical component regulates current and voltage?
People have used a ballast for current regulation and you can use a breakdown diode for voltage regulation.
Where is the ballast resistor on a 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible?
It does not have a ballast resistor.It does not have a ballast resistor.
How to connect ballast?
Ballast connection diagrams are on the identification label that is on the ballast.
