Lamps & Ballasts

Fluorescent lighting has long been the main stay of lighting for the broadest of needs. This type of lamp also requires a ballast to operate, in concert with the connection points (sockets & holders known as [Tombstones]) to the lamp. It offers a wide range of color hue to choose from as shown in the spectrum chart above. The industry references this color and luminescence by degrees Kelvin. The average person who wants to replace their lamp often don't realize this subtle difference until they install the new one in a room of their old lamps. It can be a disappointing experience, especially if the lamps job is to provide the best light for your products display. That is why the lamp label is so important; it is easy to read if you know what to look for.  

As you can see in the picture provided above; a clear label of a GE lamp. While each manufacture prints their own label and information; the industry does have a standard format. The lamp shown is an F17T8 SPX35 rated at 17 watts. The "F #" denotes the lamp wattage, the "T #" denotes the lamp diameter, and the "SPX35" refers to its color or Kelvin rating; in this case 3500K or bright light range as noted by the chart. This chart is a pretty good color reference for you; when replacements are needed. Our staff is familiar with our lamp stock and when checking for it; may ask you to measure your lamp directly. Why? Because the "F #" may have variations of the lamp length available, that is specific to the lamp fixture wattage being used. While the "F #" is the wattage of the lamp, by virtue of how fluorescent lamps are constructed can also be read as a general length. Other aspects of the lamp label not shown in the picture above refers to a special conditions matched to the ballast capability.  So mixing those up can pose problems, like putting a HO lamp in a VHO fixture or vice versa. Keep in mind the last portion of the label on your lamp, here are examples of the last code and what it means. 

 RS – Rapid Start; HO – High Output; VHO – Very High Output; ECO – Low Mercury (Sylvania & GE); ALTO – Low Mercury (Philips); SS – Super Saver (Sylvania); EW – Econo Watt (Philips); WM – Watt Miser (GE); ADV – Energy Advantage (Philips); XPS – Extended Performance (Sylvania); just to name a few..........  If your lamp is broken and you are unable to read the lamp label, you will have to take a clear picture of the lamp ballast label in order for us to assist you. 

Since our contact form here doesn't allow for picture attachments, you are left with two options; (1) email us at sdelectric2002@yahoo.com via your email account and attach the photo in a JPEG format or (2) bring the picture in directly.

One of the icon's of municipal illumination is quickly being replaced by the LED. This Sodium Vapor Lamp while highly efficient in power lighting needs have long standing drawbacks of restricted color spectrum output, take time to warm up, and are subject to output wowing (the light seems to brighten and dim). We still have some on hand, wattage dependent. It's been said that Phillips, a leader in the industry will be phasing this lamp out by 2020. 

LED replacements are available in a variety of wattages. LED replacements at this time require the removal or bypass of the existing Sodium Vapor Lamp Ballast installed.

Wow, nothing since the invention of the incandescent lamp has had as much an impact on the lighting industry as LED’s now have. With the advent of Federal and State mandates to remove the incandescent lamp from existence by a set date; the light emitting diode still lags the market in the color and lighting experience we have been accustomed to and enjoy. 

Other issues are still ongoing like its dimming ability, or light stage changing to specific luminance a three way incandescent lamp has. Our stock is reflecting these changes as they become available. We now have Metal Halide, HPS, LPS and SOX LED replacements available, with more coming.