This is what makes the light stay lit, so a fluorescent light requires a ballast in order to work. Without it, the current would increase as it passed through, ruining the lamp (bulb).

Q: My home is about 20 years old. My problem is with the lights in the kitchen. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. When I turn on the switch, the light flickers or just partially ...

Standard fluorescent lights have magnetic ballasts, but their efficiency is limited: only 60 per cent of every watt results in light. That means up to 40 per cent of energy is wasted as heat.

Replace the ballast If adjusting the bulb in your fluorescent light doesn’t work, it might be that the ballast has gone bad. This can cause a vibration in the fixture that will make a buzzing sound.

Standard fluorescent lights have magnetic ballasts, but their efficiency is limited: only 60 per cent of every watt results in light. That means up to 40 per cent of energy is wasted as heat.

Business Light-bulb standards mean you'll need new fluorescent fixtures, will pay more for halogen spotlights Updated: Jul. 09, 2012, 11:00 a.m. | Published: Jul. 09 ...

This document is intended for contractors working on a job site within CU Boulder Campus. In short, Ballasts removed from fluorescent lights by Contractors during University of Colorado at Boulder ...

EC&M selected the F28T8 UltraMax System by GE Lighting as the Product of the Week. The 28W fluorescent lamp and ballast system includes multi-voltage control and anti-striation protection. The F28T8 ...

The bulb might come on, but might not come up to full light, or it will take a long time to get there. You'll need to buy a specialty CFL, one fitted with a cold-weather ballast.