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PolskiElectrical ballast
What is an electrical ballast? An electrical ballast is a device intended to limit the amount of current in an electric circuit. In association with illuminants it will take care that the cathodes inside of fluorescent lamps do not blow.
Since fluorescent lamps are the most common illuminants in Europe, it is not amazing that we have an EU directive that takes care of the “energy efficiency requirements for electrical lamp ballast at fluorescent lamps”. One can distinguish between seven classes of electrical ballast: from A1 to D. In comparison, electronic lamp ballast is more energy-efficient than magnetic ballast, which is rather energy lossy.
Comparison chart:
| Accredited according to EU directive 2000/55/EG | |
|---|---|
| Class A1 | Electronic ballast for luminosity control |
| Class A2 | low-loss electronic ballast |
| Class A3 | Electronic lamp ballast |
| Class B1 | Very low-loss magnetic ballast |
| Class B2 | low-loss magnetic ballast |
| Class C | Moderate loss magnetic ballast (prohibited since 11/21/2005) |
| Class D | High-loss magnetic ballast (prohibited since 05/21/2002) |
Energy savings:
Saving energy and consequently the usage of electronic lamp ballast at home or at school is very important for all of us:
Not only because of the EU directive 2000/55/EG but also by reason of global climate change or gradual inflation.
Fifty-eight Watt “T8” fluorescent lamp characteristics
| Operated by electronic lamp ballast: | 59 W |
| Operated by magnetic lamp ballast: | 70 W |
| Dissipation loss difference: | 11 W |
Using one single fluorescent lamp operated by electronic lamp ballast eight hours per day one could annually save up to 5.46 € of the electricity expenses, calculated at an electricity tariff of 0.17 € per kWh. The usage of 500 fluorescent lamps operated by electronic lamp ballast would already save up to 2,730 € per year. Furthermore, the usage of electronic lamp ballast increases the durability of fluorescent lamps from 13,000 hours up to 20,000 hours.
| Durability with electronic lamp ballast: | Durability with magnetic lamp ballast: |
| 20.000 h: (8 h x 365 days) = 6,85 years | 13,000 h: (8 h x 365 days) = 4.45 years |
Finally, one can say that the usage of electronic lamp ballast not only protects the environment, but also your wallet!
Julia Wollmann
translator: Julian Schöler