BALLASTS
All fluorescent lights require a ballast to operate, in addition to the bulb. The ballast regulates the voltage and current delivered to a fluorescent lamp, and is essential for proper lamp operation. The electrical input requirements vary for each type of compact fluorescent lamp, and so each type/wattage requires a ballast specifically designed to drive it. There are two types of ballasts that operate on AC: electromagnetic (EM) and electronic (EC). The EM ballast, the standard since fluorescent lighting was first developed, uses electromagnetic technology. The EC ballast, only recently developed, uses solid-state technology.
Electromagnetic ballasts can last up to 50,000 hours, or around 12 years or more and often incorporate replaceable bulbs. EM ballasts flicker when starting and take a few seconds to get going. They also run the lamp at 60/50 cycles per second, and some people are affected in a negative way by this flicker.
Electronic ballasts weigh less than electromagnetic ballasts, operate lamps at a higher frequency (30,000 cycles per second vs. 60/50 cycles), are silent, generate less heat, and are more energy-efficient. However, EC ballasts cost more and for those longer-life EC ballasts are possible, but costs go up dramatically.
Delta EM ballast uses high grade silicon steel (with lower power loss) for its core, high temperature-index magnet wire on its coil and vacuum impregnation coating process for the insulation. This is the first product that the company developed and manufactured 25 years ago. The client base for Delta ballast and lighting fixtures OEM includes large multinational lighting companies from different parts of the world.
Available BALLASTS:
 | Electromagnetic Ballast |
| Electronic Ballast |
| HID Ballast |
| Other |
