What is ballast factor?
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A ballast factor is a number, typically between 0.70 and 1.2, that tells you how much light a lamp will emit with that ballast. So how do you get that number? Ballast factor is calculated by dividing the lumen output of a lamp-ballast combination by the lumen output of the same lamp(s) on a reference ballast.
What is ballast Efficacy Factor?
Ballast Efficacy Factor (BEF) LIGHTING: Defined as ballast factor divided by input watts. The value is used to evaluate various lighting systems based on light output and power input. The BEF can only be used to compare systems operating the same type and quantity of lamps.
What is the ballast factor for LED lights?
The standard T-8 electronic ballast has a ballast factor of 87% (0.87), which means that the ballast will cause the lamp to produce 87% of its rated output. This is an important and commonly used factor. The ballast factor is generally given in the ballast catalog or cut sheet.
What is a ballast used for?
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.
How many watts does a T12 ballast use?
Consequently, how much power does a t12 ballast use? The typical T12 four-lamp fixture uses 172 watts of power between the lamps and ballast. LED equivalents typically use only 50 watts, 71% less energy per fixture.
What is the difference between ballast and aggregate?
As nouns the difference between aggregate and ballast is that aggregate is a mass, assemblage, or sum of particulars; something consisting of elements but considered as a whole while ballast is (nautical) heavy material that is placed in the hold of a ship (or in the gondola of a balloon), to provide stability.
What is T12 ballast?
The T12 is an older generation fluorescent bulb that generates light through electromagnetic induction, which is considered less efficient method of creating light compared to that of newer electronic based circuits.
What is aircraft ballast?
Ballast. Ballast is removable or permanently installed weight in an aircraft used to bring the center of gravity into the allowable range.
What does a ballast factor of 1 mean?
A ballast factor of <1 means that your fluorescent system will produce less light (lumens) than the reference ballast and a factor of >1 means it will produce more light. Need a ballast primer?
What is a ballast and what does it do?
What is a ballast? In a fluorescent lighting system, the ballast regulates the current to the lamps and provides sufficient voltage to start the lamps. Without a ballast to limit its current, a fluorescent lamp connected directly to a high voltage power source would rapidly and uncontrollably increase its current draw.
Should you go with a low ballast factor?
Go with a low ballast factor if energy efficiency is your primary goal and you don’t mind getting a little less than the rated light output from your fluorescent tubes.
How do I choose the best ballast for a fluorescent system?
One of the most important choices when picking out a ballast for a fluorescent system is the ballast factor. Here are our guidelines on choosing ballast factor. Go with a low ballast factor if energy efficiency is your primary goal and you don’t mind getting a little less than the rated light output from your fluorescent tubes.