I am going to buy a lighting system and I was wondering what is the difference between electronic ballasts and coil ballast, and what one should I buy.
Frequency output to the lamp and energy conversion from electricity to usable light are the biggest differences between HID ballasts and electronic ballasts. HID ballasts produce a frequency of 60 Hz. Electronic ballasts vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the frequency produced can be 400x that of an HID ballast. HID ballasts produce more heat than electronic ballasts, thus making electronic ballasts more energy efficient. You will not save money on your electric bill by using electronic ballasts. HID lighting has been available for 60+ years, while electronic ballast (especially 400 watt and higher) is a relatively new technology. Electonic ballasts can ignite both HPS and MH bulbs a Coil ballast has to be a switchable. Electionic ballast are silent, coil ballast especially as they get older make a loud hum. Electionic ballast are soft start coil ballast arnt when they turn on they draw alot of amps. Electonic ballast with the correct bulbs can put out up to 20% more lumens than a coil ballast.
