What are Ballast wirings DIagrams

The electrical ballast is an electrical device connected in series with load to limit current in the circuit. The commonly used type is inductive ballast in fluorescent lamps that limits current through the tube; if not, current can be high, which can hurt the tube’s voltage-current characteristic.

Balls come in different types based on complications such as a resistor, inductor, or capacitor and are wired in series combination to the lamp. They are a simple type of ballast. Compact fluorescent lamps are a complicated type of electronic ballast. In this post, we will cover details for wring for ballast in different combinations. Let’s get started with What are ballast wiring diagrams?

How to Wire Ballast

• The working of fluorescent tubes is based on ballast, and the circuit of a fluorescent tube’s main components are wires, ballast, tubes, and lamp holders.
• For ballast replacement in light fixtures, first of all, we must know the type of ballast connected.
• The most common types of ballast used are:
  • Instant start ballast
  • Rapid start Ballast
• Each ballast comes with certain wiring configurations. Rapid start ballast comes with double wires as compared to instant start ballast. The wire’s colors are also different.

Rapid Ballast Wiring

• If rapid start ballast is connected in a series that is wired in series according to the wiring diagram mentioned on the ballast, then lamps work independently. If in this series combination, any one lamp is not working, all other lamps will not work.

Instant Ballast Wiring

• Instant start ballast wiring is parallel; if any bulb is not working, others will continue to work.

So if there is a need to change the ballast from rapid to instant in the fluorescent light fixture, the wiring from series to parallel.

What are ballast wire colors?

• The colors of wires for single and common connections for fluorescent ballast change according to ballast type, brand, and lamp connected.
• Ballasts come with certain wiring lamp holders and different colors for wires with holders.
• Normally 2 yellow wires are used for circuit completion of the fluorescent tube, then back to the ballast. Red and blue wires energize the pins connected with fluorescent tubes, and yellow wires are connected with pins on the reverse side of fluorescent light tubes for completion of the circuit.

How to Wire an Electronic Ballast for Fluorescent Lamps?

Follow these steps to wire the electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps.

1. First of all, turn off the power supply through the circuit breaker. Then remove fluorescent tubes and cover light fixtures to find older ballast. There will be many wires connected in the ballast. Cut wire for disconnection of ballast.
2. There are different types of colors used for wiring electronic ballast that are black for power wire, neutral white and blue, and red wire connected with lamp sockets. In some ballasts, white wire is used for grounding. So we must know about color coding before wiring the ballast.
3. Now make the connection of the new ballast according to the older one for color coding. Connect the black wire of the fixture with black ballast and use connectors for connection strongly. After that, connect other wires according to wiring, like white neutral wires. Then blue and red wires of ballast with fluorescent lamp sockets.
4. When all wires are connected with an accurate connection, configure ballast strongly to the fixture with mounting clips. Ensure that it is connected strongly to avoid any vibrations. After the connection of the ballast, connect fluorescent tubes and put the cover on the fixture. At last on the power supply.

Mercury vapor ballast wiring diagram

• Mercury vapor ballast wiring comes with the input power source and grounding techniques. The ground connection is made for all ballasts to avoid shock hazards or damage to the installation. Here you can see the proper wiring of vapor ballast wiring.

2 Lamp Instant Start Ballast Wiring Diagram

Here you can see the wiring diagram for the 2-lamp instant start ballast. In this wiring two lamps are wired with the use of three wires with instant start ballast. Two blue colors individual wires are connected in a circuit and one common wire connected.

2 Lamp Rapid Start Ballast Wiring Diagram

Below the figure, is the wiring diagram for rapid start ballast with 2 lamps. In this wiring, six wires are used for the connection of two lamps with rapid start ballast. Two red individual wires, two blue individuals, and 2 yellow common wires are connected. Individual ballast wire connected with lamp holder on one side of every tube. The common wire connected all lamp holders with the other side of the tubes

Fluorescent Lamp Wiring with Ballast and Starter