| When someone walks into a room and flips the switch, | | | | translucent covering over the lighting to mute the |
| they expect the lights to come on. When it stays dark | | | | brightness of the bulbs. When 1 burns out, the others |
| they automatically assume there is something wrong | | | | continue to illuminate, although the overall effect is |
| with the light bulb. When changing the fluorescent bulb | | | | darker. Sometimes dark tubes will re-light with a twist |
| does not help, it is most likely the ballast. The ballast | | | | of the wrist, but more likely, when they go dark it is |
| limits the amount of current flowing to the light so that it | | | | either a burned out bulb or the ballast. |
| works properly. With fluorescent ballasts, there are | | | | Round |
| basically 3 types. They are not interchangeable, so | | | | Round fluorescent ballasts are less common than |
| getting the right model is important. Some come with | | | | straight ones. They are most frequently found in |
| built-in leads, while others do not. This is also something | | | | contemporary lighting fixtures. They are more |
| of note to determine before attempting to find a | | | | frequently seen in homes than in the past and are |
| replacement. | | | | more efficient at illuminating an area than the long, |
| Finding the right fluorescent ballast can be done more | | | | straight variety because the lighting is more |
| easily on the Internet than using other venues because | | | | concentrated. |
| photos are usually available for the consumer to | | | | Compact |
| compare. Also, typing in the part number makes it | | | | Compact ballasts are used with compact fluorescent |
| easier to find the right one. This is usually found on the | | | | lighting (CFL), which are also known as energy saving |
| flat side of the piece itself. | | | | lights. These ballasts come in different shapes and are |
| Straight | | | | made by many different manufacturers. They are |
| Straight ones are long and thin and attach to the | | | | used for black lights, colored light bulbs and standard |
| fixture. The light bulbs plug in to them usually from one | | | | compact fluorescent light bulbs. They are considered |
| end to the other. These are the most common types | | | | more environmentally friendly than other models |
| of ballasts. They are very popular for businesses and | | | | because they lessen the amount of power used to |
| offices. The long, thin fluorescent light bulbs stretch | | | | light up a room and last 10 to 20 times longer than |
| from one end of the fixture to the other. There are | | | | regular incandescent bulbs. |
| most commonly 2 or 4 bulbs in each set with a | | | | |