American Ballast Develops High Ballast Factor, High Lumen Ballast Series
American Ballast has developed a series of high lumen, multi-voltage and energy-efficient ballasts. The High Ballast Factor (HBF) ballast line provides energy costs savings in a wide range of applications including retrofit installations or new constructions. With a 1.18 Ballast Factor, the HBF Series enables retrofits of a 4-lamp T12 fixture into a 3- or 2-lamp T8 fixture and can be used in high bay fluorescent fixtures. High-lumen T8 fixtures incorporate four to eight lamps, essentially replacing many HID applications.
American Ballast’s NEMA approved multi-voltage High Ballast Factor ballasts operate one, two, three or four T8 lamps at an installer-simplicity universal input voltage of 108-305 volts. These HBF ballasts also feature parallel lamp operation, which enables lamps to continue operating normally in the event of a single lamp failure. The HBF ballasts can utilize the same wiring and mounting footprint as conventional ballasts, negating the need for any expensive electrical work.
"Our new NEMA approved High Ballast Factor electronic ballasts use less input watts than standard efficiency electronic ballast and consume less energy than Rapid-start ballasts," said Jim Chen, American Ballast’s Vice President of R&D. "The high-efficiency series allows our customers to experience maximum light output combined with minimum power usage."
The HBF ballast line features Instant Start technology with parallel circuit configuration are engineered to outperform other instant start ballasts as well as rapid start ballasts in short-cycle and frequently switched applications. The HBF ballast line offers exceptional power quality with a power factor of >98% and a THD of ≤10%. The ballast series also features silent, flicker-free operation to create an even level of light output.
The NEMA Premium Electronic Ballast Program provides the method for identifying the most efficient T8 fluorescent ballasts available in the market and identifies models that are consistent with the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) specifications for high performance lamps and ballasts, tested in accordance with ANSI C82 Standards. Qualifying products have a special mark to help lighting professionals and end users identify the market’s highest performing electronic ballast products that will help support energy-efficient objectives. With a NEMA certification, the HBF line guarantees customers a high-performance T8 ballast that meets FCC rules and regulations, ANSI requirements and complies with all applicable state and federal efficiency standards, as well as meeting RoHS standards.
