What purpose does the "ballast" serve in a flourescent light fixture?

Question

I'm wondering what the ballast does in a flourescent light fixture, and what type of electronic device it is????

Answer 1

Boosts voltage for short duration, then maintains a constant applied current after. They used to be magnetic, now they are almost all electronic, and they have dimmable as well.

What is a ballast?
A ballast is required for use with gas discharge lamps such a fluorescent, to provide them with the necessary starting and operating electrical conditions. Once the arc has been struck and the fluorescent lamp is lit up, electrical resistance becomes negligible and the principal function of the ballast is to limit current to the lamp while it is operating.

All PROMOLUX fluorescent tubes are designed to function with industry standard ballasts. A ballast will have a label indicating the wiring configuration and lamp types that should be used with it. It is advisable to replace the ballast each time the lamp is replaced.

The Electronic Ballast and associated T8 fluorescent lamps have been legislated as the new standard in North America. This is due to national energy concerns, as well as concern for the environment. It is estimated that 2 million fluorescent tubes are thrown in the trash each day. The smaller diameter T8 lamps represent much less material such as glass, mercury, metal, etc.

Electronic Ballast
Electronic ballasts substitute solid state circuitry for some of the magnetic components used in conventional ballasts. An electronic ballast operates compatible fluourescent lamps at a higher frequency then the 60 hertz (available from utility) to improve performance and efficiency.

Preheat Ballast
Typically used with short length T8 and European T8 lamps.

Rapid Start Ballast
Typically used with T12 MBP base lamps up to 48" in length.

Instant Start Ballast
Typically used for single pin slimline T12 and T8 lamps.

High Output Ballast
Typically used for all high current output (HO) lamps with RDC base.
http://www.safespectrum.com/light_fluorescent.html#ballast

What are the Differences Between Magnetic and Electronic Ballast?
Magnetic ballast have been around since the beginning of fluorescent lighting. They employ copper coils and transformers to run a lamp. Magnetics cost less, but weigh more and, more importantly, are less efficient than modern electronic ballast. The federal government has mandated magnetic ballast be replaced with electronic ballast over the next several years.

Our electronic ballast use state-of-the-art printed circuit boards along with U.S. and Japanese components. Electronic ballast use 25% less energy than magnetics, do not hum or flicker when starting, and have a lower THD.
http://www.ace-ballast.com/articles/?id=Frequently_Asked_Ballast_Questions

Answer 2

Light Fixture Ballast

Answer 3

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What you would need to do is replace the original ballast in each one with a 120 volt ballast that has the same wattage rating as the lamps. Look up the manufacturer's site for a ballast and see what they have in 120 volts. I am guessing if the fixtures are really good ones it will pay to try a mod of one to see if that will be economical and practical. If they were just cheap fixtures the ballast cost might be worse than just dumping those and buying new 120V ones. The alternative is to sell those 277 volt ones on eBay and use the money for new 120V ones.

Answer 4

What Is A Ballast

Answer 5

it actually is a transformer which converts the usually 110 volts to up to 1000 volts in some cases that is required to start the light, or "ignite" the gas in the tube

Answer 6

It starts and runs the light