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Ballast

Ballasts are abbreviated as “VG” and are required for the operation of discharge lamps. They are responsible for limiting the discharge current that occurs when such lamps are ignited and the associated avalanche-like ionization of the noble gases. Without a ballast, the current would rise to extremely high levels and destroy the lamp in a very short time. Such a ballast can either be built directly into the lamp, installed as an external component, or, in some cases, operated solely with an additional device called a starter. There are two main types: on the one hand, there are magnetic or conventional ballasts (abbreviated as KVG) and low-loss ballasts (abbreviated as VVG); on the other hand, there are electronic ballasts (abbreviated as EVG). The current flow is thus limited in different ways: it can be reduced inductively via a choke coil, or the process can be carried out electronically. The latter method produces no annoying humming noises, and electronic ballasts can operate without an additional igniter. Therefore, if you own a discharge lamp—such as a fluorescent lamp—or plan to purchase one, you must ensure that a ballast is included. If this is not the case, you will need to purchase one separately.

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