Other Definitions
ballast (dict)

Ballast

• Track ballast (gravel or cinders) forms the railroad or railway track-bed on which sleepers (ties) and track is laid. The ballast allows for proper drainage and minimizes frost heaving.

• Ship's ballast (water, sand, rocks, or bricks) is used to weight a ship down when it has very little cargo (though water may contain invasive species of pests).

• Sailing ballast is mass used in a sailboat to provide stability.

• An electromagnetic ballast uses electromagnetic induction to provide the proper starting and operating electrical condition to power a fluorescent lamp, neon lamp or HID lamp. The electromagnetic ballast used in an electric circuit limits the current flow to the lamp. It does not change the frequency of the power. An electromagnetic ballast cycles the lamp on and off at twice the mains frequency (so 100 times per second in most of the world and 120 times per second in countries that use 60 Hz mains power).

• An electronic ballast uses solid state electronic circuitry to provide the proper starting and operating electrical condition to power a fluorescent lamp, neon lamp or HID lamp. Electronic ballasts are generally smaller and lighter, function cooler and more efficiently than electromagnetic ballasts. Electronic ballast usually change the frequency of the power from the standard mains frequency to 20,000 Hz or higher, eliminating most of the stroboscopic effect associated with fluorescent or high-intensity discharge lighting.

See also

• Resistor
• Leakage inductance
• Transformer
• Inductor

For specific application information, see

• Neon lamp
• Fluorescent lamp
• Mercury-vapor lamp
• Sodium lamp
• High-intensity discharge lamp (HID)

Sources for electromagnetic and electronic ballast

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