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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.
What else can I help you with?
How do you rewire a magnetic ballast F96T12 fixture to work with a new electronic ballast?
The end sockets have to be rewired. The schematic for the rewire is on the ballast label.
If the ballast on a fluorescent light blows will the lamp still work?
Typically, if the ballast on a fluorescent light blows, the lamp will not work. The ballast regulates the electrical current to the lamp, so if it is not functioning properly, the lamp will not receive the correct power to light up.
Can T8 LED tube light be used with ballast and can ballast be removed and will it work?
A T8 LED tube has to be used with a ballast to bring the correct voltage to the tube for it to operate correctly. Removing the ballast from the circuit will prevent the tube from operating.
Are ballast compatible LED tubes suitable for use in existing lighting fixtures?
Yes, ballast compatible LED tubes are designed to work with existing lighting fixtures that have a ballast.
Can you make a three phase light ballast work on 110 or even 220?
No. A three-phase ballast requires three-phase power
How can you find out what type of ballast you have if it has no marks on it?
ballast are either electronic or iron core induction type so at the end of the day it does not matter what type it is so long as it can handle the wattage of the tube you are trying to drive any thing will work so long as you have every thing in place that the new ballast needs,electronic types need nothing to work ballast types need a starter of some kind
Can you wire a 347 volt ballast to a 120 volt fixture?
Yes, but it will not work.
Why do submarines work?
Submarines have ballast tanks in them.........when it has to go deep down, the ballast tanks are filled with water, which increases its average density in regard to water(Relative Density).....and when it has to come up to the surface it empties the ballast tanks...and it rises. That's it.
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 do you replace ac ballast where emergency ballast present?
First you need to determine if it's the ballast that's bad or the emergency ballast. The emergency ballast can go bad and cause the bulbs not to work or not all of them to work depending on the lights wiring setup. Push the test button on the emergency ballast which should have a red glowing indicator light. If all the lights illuminate slightly, change the emergency ballast. It's best to buy the exact ballast for this repair. i.e. If it's a T8 3 lamp fixture. Buy a T8 3 lamp ballast not a 4. You can use a 4 in place of a 3 lamp, but the 3 lamp will be more user friendly. Easiest way is to note what wires go to what. Draw a diagram if you have to and just simply match them back up.
Where is the ballast resistor for a 1994 Jeep Cherokee?
It does not have an ignition ballast resistor.It does not have an ignition ballast resistor.
What can you use for ballast?
Sandbags work best as they can be dropped overboard if weather conditions deteriorate.
