What is the difference between ballast and choke?

A choke is an inductor designed to have a high reactance to a particular frequency when used in a signal-carrying circuit. An electrical ballast (sometimes called control gear) is a device intended to limit the amount of current flowing in an electric circuit. Ballasts vary greatly in complexity.

What is the difference between a ballast and transformer?

A transformer changes the amperage and / or voltage. It literally “Transforms” electrical energy. A ballast is like a capacitor. The electrical ballast stores energy in the same way that a water ballast stores water for stability.

What is the main advantage of the ballast or choke coil?

Greater Efficiency: Electronic choke or ballasts seldom generate much internal heat and therefore it is considered to be more efficient. These ballasts provide flicker free and continuous power to the fluorescent lamps which is one of the most notable advantages.

What is a transformer power choke?

A “choke” is the common name given to an inductor that is used as a power supply filter element. They are typically gapped iron core units, similar in appearance to a small transformer, but with only two leads exiting the housing.

Is a ballast a choke?

A magnetic ballast (also called a choke) contains a coil of copper wire. The magnetic field produced by the wire traps most of the current so only the right amount gets through to the fluorescent light. That amount can fluctuate depending on the thickness and length of the copper wire.

Are there different types of ballasts?

And there are two types of ballasts in each family: magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts are the older ballast technology. For HIDs, some metal halides and HPS lamps use magnetic ballasts. Magnetic ballasts are typically the culprit for buzzing and flickering because they regulate electricity incrementally.

Why do we use choke coil?

Although they provide a very specific function, choke coils can be utilized in a broad range of applications including: power generation, in order to protect power lines from electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI); automotive, for use in engine applications; electronics, to protect …

Does a ballast use electricity if no bulbs are present?

No, unlike LEDs, the fluorescent bulb itself (or rather the tube) can not use power when it burns out, however, the ballasts may use a trace of energy whether or not there is a bulb installed.

Can you use a transformer as a choke?

Yes. A transformer is made of (at least) two windings that are coupled together through a ferromagnetic core (iron plates). A choke/inductor uses exactly the same principle, but only has (usually) one winding. Both transformers and inductors need not to have a core – may be simply a set of wire loops (aircore).