Alternative to Fluorescent Ballasts

Fluorescent ballasts are used in buildings to light hallways, rooms and appliances, such as refrigerators in grocery stores. Electromagnetic ballasts are known for their noticeable flicker and hum, which is caused by the ballast regulators turning them on and off at 120 times per second while they are running.

  1. Halogen IR lamps

    • Halogen bulbs are incandescent lamps. They have a tungsten filament and are filled with halogen gas. Halogen bulbs lasts longer than traditional light bulbs. Halogen IR lamps trap invisible infrared light and redirect it to create visible light.

    High-Intensity Discharge Lighting

    • High-intensity discharge lamps produce light by passing an electric current through a vapor or gas that is trapped in the bulb. They typically use mercury vapor, metal halide or high-pressure sodium gases. They are generally used in street lights and parking lots, as well as industrial and commercial applications and retail displays. Mercury halide and high-pressure sodium lamps have better color rendition and can produce 60 percent more light than mercury vapor HID lamps.

    Solid-State Fluorescent Ballasts

    • Solid-state fluorescent ballasts are lightweight alternatives to electromagnetic ballasts. They produce little heat while operating at a high frequency. The higher frequency rate of the fluorescent bulb eliminates the flickering and humming of the lights. They also provide more light while using up to 30 percent less energy. Unlike traditional electromagnetic ballasts, solid-state fluorescent ballasts can be dimmed.