What is the Difference Between Choke, Ballasts, and Igniter?
In lighting systems, especially those using fluorescent and high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps, there are several different parts that work together to make sure your lights work well and are safe. Some of these parts are the choke, the ballast, and the igniter. Each one does something different to control the electricity, make sure the electricity […]
How Many Watts Should a Grow Light Be for Herbs?
When you’re growing herbs inside, you need to think about your lighting to make sure your plants grow well and you get a lot of them. One of the most important things to get right is the wattage of your grow lights. If you use the wrong wattage, your plants won’t grow well, they […]
Are Mercury Vapor Lamps Dangerous?
Mercury vapor lamps are used a lot for big areas and outdoor lighting because they work well and make a lot of light. But, they use mercury, which is a dangerous heavy metal, so they can be a problem for people and the environment. If you don’t use these lights the right way, get […]
How Many Watts Does a Ballast Use?
Knowing how much electricity a light ballast uses is important to make sure you don’t use more electricity than you need, especially in businesses that use a lot of lights, like growing plants inside, commercial buildings, or factories. Most people think about how many watts a light bulb uses, but the ballast that powers […]
What Kind of Ballast Is Good for Indoor Grow Lights?
When you’re growing plants inside, you need to pick the right ballast to make sure your plants grow the best and to save money on your electricity bill. If you pick the wrong ballast, you can end up paying a lot more for electricity and not giving your plants the light they need to […]
Why Do Fluorescent Light Bulbs Need a ‘Ballast’?
Fluorescent lights need a ballast to make sure the electricity going through them is controlled. Without a ballast, the bulb would get too hot and burn out, which could be a safety problem. The fluorescent light ballast controls the electricity going through the bulb to make sure the light works well and is safe. […]
How Do CMH Grow Lights Compare to HPS, MH, and LED?
Picking the right grow light is important whether you’re growing a small amount of stuff at your house or you’re running a big operation. There are a lot of choices, and it can be hard to decide which one is going to work the best. Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) lights have become popular in the […]
Can You Use a 4-Bulb Ballast in a 2-Bulb Fixture?
When you upgrade or replace ballasts, you might wonder if you can use a 4-bulb ballast in a 2-bulb fixture. The answer is no. If you use the wrong ballast, you might have electrical problems, it won’t work right, and you could have a safety hazard. No, you can’t use a 4-bulb ballast in a […]
Are Metal Halide Lights Dangerous?
Metal halide lights are common because they produce very bright light and are efficient in big lighting applications. You see them lighting up sports arenas, big industrial spaces, warehouses, streets, and even indoor gardens. Even though they’re used a lot, people often wonder if metal halide lights are dangerous. The short answer is yes, they […]
Can a Mercury Vapor Lamp Be Used Without a Ballast?
Mercury vapor lamps have been a mainstay in outdoor and industrial lighting because they’re super bright and last a long time. These high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps are used to light up big areas like streets, parking lots, sports arenas, and warehouses. One question people ask is, “Can a mercury vapor lamp be used without a […]
What is Conventional Ballast?
A lot of lighting systems need a lamp ballast to work, but what a regular ballast does can be confusing. Let me explain what a regular ballast is and what it does. A regular ballast is a device used in fluorescent and HID lighting systems to control the electricity going to the light bulb. […]
What is a HID Lamp?
Choosing the right lighting technology for industrial or commercial use can be tricky. High-Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps provide powerful and efficient lighting solutions. Let’s talk about HID lamps. HID stands for High-Intensity Discharge. These lights make light by arcing electricity between two electrodes. They are known for their bright light, energy efficiency, and long life, […]