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What the difference between ballast and transformer?

Updated: 9/28/2023
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ShaunMarshgp7659

Lvl 1
8y ago

Best Answer

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.

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What does the ballast do in a fluorescent light?

Electronic Ballast plays a important part in lights.We need a Ballast Tester to test the electronic ballast performance of a fluorescent light fixture. This is a basic process that can be accomplished quickly once you understand the operation of the high voltage transformer. The high voltage transformer is also encased in an oil bath that reduces the heat created by the action of the transformer. A low voltage, generally 120 VAC, is transformed into a high voltage, generally in thousands of volts. There must be a continuity between the wires of the high voltage side in order for the circuit to operate correctly. Heat can damaged the internal connections of the ballast. By using a volt ohmmeter the internal circuit can be quickly checked. Not only in the voltage, but also in the current and others factors. If you want to learn more details about electronic ballast and relevant instruments, see the related link.


What does the ballast do in a fluorescent light fixture?

Electronic Ballast plays a important part in lights.We need a Ballast Tester to test the electronic ballast performance of a fluorescent light fixture. This is a basic process that can be accomplished quickly once you understand the operation of the high voltage transformer. The high voltage transformer is also encased in an oil bath that reduces the heat created by the action of the transformer. A low voltage, generally 120 VAC, is transformed into a high voltage, generally in thousands of volts. There must be a continuity between the wires of the high voltage side in order for the circuit to operate correctly. Heat can damaged the internal connections of the ballast. By using a volt ohmmeter the internal circuit can be quickly checked. Not only in the voltage, but also in the current and others factors. If you want to learn more details about electronic ballast and relevant instruments, see the related link.


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Why transformer not rotating?

transformer is not rotating bcoz for rotating rotating magnetic field is required which is produced only when the current is passed through the windings which are displaced physically by 120degrees and phase difference of 120 degrees where as in transformer there is no phsical displacement of 120degrees hence transformer cannot rotate.


Step down transformer of a specs of 110 primary to 24 v 12va CAn you used a 110v primary to 24v 20 va What is the difference between them?

Yes. The Va numbers indicate the rating of the transformer (12VA indicates that you can draw upto 12/24 = 1/2 Amps at 24 volts and 20VA indicates that you can draw about 20/24 = 0.83 Amps). Usually 20va transformer will cost more than the 12va transformer. So, unless a higher power output is required, it is adequate to use the lower rating transformer. However, you cannot go the other way - if you use a 12va transformer in-lieu of the 20va one, if the application needs more power, then you have a reliability problem. The transformer will have more loss, heat-up and then eventually burn out.

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