[sci.electronics] Ballasts

michael@fe2o3.UUCP (Michael Katzmann) (02/04/90)

In article <19917@netnews.upenn.edu> jliu@eniac.seas.upenn.edu.UUCP (Dear John.) writes:
   >
   >Also, does anyone know what the Ballast Coil does in a flourescent light?

From what I can remember, the starter interrupts the current through the
ballast (an inductor) after it has heated up, (the starter that is). 
The back EMF in the ballast gives rise to enough voltage so that a breakdown
occurs in the gas. After the light is lit the ballast acts to limit the
current.

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Michael Katzmann