Lighting Drivers and Ballasts

Drivers and Ballasts are essential in electrical lamps’ proper starting and operating functions. Drivers are found in LED lights, while ballasts are used in fluorescent lighting systems. Both items limit the amount of current in an electrical circuit and provide sufficient voltage to start the lamp. Without the regulation provided by drivers and ballasts, the electrical current would quickly rise to dangerous levels, causing the power supply to fail. LED emergency drivers regulate the power supply to LED fixtures in the event of a power failure and allow the LED fixture to switch from line voltage to battery when in emergency mode.

Emergency Fluorescent Ballasts that work with or without an AC ballast. The Isolite BAL-1400TD.

Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

Fluorescent light ballasts provide the initial high voltage needed to start the fluorescent lamp and regulates the current flowing through the lamp to prevent overheating. The ballast also converts the input voltage to the correct voltage for the light and protects the lamp from damage.

Signs that a fluorescent light ballast may be bad include; the light flickers, turns off frequently, is dim, or has poor color quality. A failing ballast may also make a humming or buzzing noise.

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Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

An LED driver is a device that converts electrical power into a form that can power light-emitting diodes (LEDs). LEDs require a constant current to operate correctly, and the driver ensures that the current is delivered stably and consistently.

The Isolite EMP Emergency LED Driver, an energy solid-state switching power supply, is available in various wattage and volt configurations. The EMP’s long life, thermally safe, high-capacity maintenance-free Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries provide a 90-minute emergency duration and environmentally friendly end-of-life recycling.

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Energy Efficient, Emergency LED Driver that meets California Title 20 requirements and is Class 2 compliant. The Isolite EMP.

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Learn more about the life safety products and services provided by Isolite. Rewatch presentations from the Chalk Talk webinar series, including 40+ webinars on EMP and emergency drivers, remote lamps & heads, inverter runtimes, emergency systems maintenance, and more!