Electronic UV Ballasts for UVC Lamps

The uvc lamps ballast ramps up the input voltage and has an output voltage high enough to spark the lamp. A ballast is needed due to the construction of the lamps, they have negative resistance between the two electrodes. Additionally, a large voltage difference between the electrodes is needed to spark the lamp. Hitech UV electronic UV ballasts and power sources for UV lamps provide a low-maintenance, energy-efficient solution.

Standard Output

These ballasts are designed to run standard output UV germicidal light bulbs. Many of the most common UVC lamps are standard output. Standard output UV bulbs are less expensive than their high output counterparts, and they emit less UV output wattage compared to high output lamps. However, they are inexpensive and easy to find from various suppliers.

High Output

These ballasts are designed to run high output UV germicidal light bulbs. They provide more UV output wattage for the same length of lamp compared to standard output. High output UV bulbs are often more expensive than standard output, and fewer manufacturers make HO lamps. Some germicidal bulbs are high output, and many tanning bed ultraviolet lights are, as well.

Amalgam

Amalgam UVC lamps offer outputs of three or more times that of conventional ultraviolet bulbs, yet often have a similar (or longer) lamp life. They operate at 1,200 to over 2,000 mA and require special amalgam ballasts. Amalgam bulbs are most often used in water purification equipment, but have been used in air/surface disinfection applications and offer higher UV output per bulb than standard or high output equipment.

Fluorescent vs. Ultraviolet Ballasts

In many cases, a fluorescent ballast can run a range of UVC light bulbs. In most cases, the germicidal bulbs the fluorescent ballast is compatible with will not be on the spec sheet. Some manufacturers keep cross reference lists to match up fluorescent ballasts with UV bulbs, but it is almost always better to go with a specialty UVC ballast if that option is available.

In many cases, the ultraviolet ballast will have features the fluorescent ballast does not, including lamp operation indicators. This is important for UVC bulbs where it may be difficult to tell if the lamp is operating inside of a unit, but where the ballast is more accessible.

Excimer Lamp Ballasts

As excimer is a very different lighting technology than low pressure mercury, the ballasts are also very different. In general, excimer ballasts are larger and heavier than fluorescent or UV ballasts. They are usually so large that they difficult to integrate into a fixture and are more likely mounted remotely. Because the technology is still relatively new and there are few ballast manufacturers, it may be more difficult to match a lamp and ballast. This is why full excimer lamp/ballast combo kits are more common right now. As the market for excimer lamp technology expands, expect more companies to begin producing a wider variety of ballasts for these lamps, and for the product literature to grow. The quality and reliability should also greatly improve.

If you have questions finding the ballast you need, we can help. Contact us to speak with a lighting specialist about UV bulb-ballast combinations.