The main functional component in a computer is the CPU, but we don't call the whole thing 'a CPU'.
Some people do.. Some people call switch-mode supplies ballasts and transformers, too.
The main functional component in a computer is the CPU, but we don't call the whole thing 'a CPU'.
Indeed they do. 'Ballast' in itself is an interesting bit of jargon - we already had some perfectly good 'specialist terms' ('choke' or 'inductor'), so goodness knows why someone felt the need to invent a new word!.. Some people call switch-mode supplies ballasts and transformers, too.
We don't but we would if Mr Babbage instead had called his difference engine his central processing unit.The main functional component in a computer is the CPU, but we don't call the whole thing 'a CPU'.
A ballast does two jobs it produces the spike of voltage required to strike the tube and also restricts the current once the tube is running so to fit a choke or inductor with same value in Henrys would not necessary replace the ballast and to coin a new name makes sense. As to electronic ballast not so sure as in the main the HF unit combines the starter and ballast together so is not a direct replacement.Indeed they do. 'Ballast' in itself is an interesting bit of jargon - we already had some perfectly good 'specialist terms' ('choke' or 'inductor'), so goodness knows why someone felt the need to invent a new word!
... and now we have 'electronic ballasts'
Kind Regards, John
I'm a bit confused. What do you think a traditional 'ballast' (i.e. one intended to be used with a separate starter) is/was, if not just a choke/inductor?!A ballast does two jobs it produces the spike of voltage required to strike the tube and also restricts the current once the tube is running so to fit a choke or inductor with same value in Henrys would not necessary replace the ballast and to coin a new name makes sense.
It was probably really a 'Steel'.Was the iron then a "Switched Mode Power Supply" or a "Transformer"?
333rocky333 may be correct here. But any choke it normally rated in henry's which is the value required to get the strike voltage but with a florescent the impedance is also important to ensure correct current when running.
With a ballast we select by the florescent tube it's designed to run with impedance and henry's are often not marked on the unit.
That is essentially what I said, and it is true up to a point. The problem arises since, having initially coined the word 'ballast' to refer to something that was simply a choke/inductor (and could just have been called that), we have subsequently seen the word 'ballast' used to refer to other things - some of the wire-wound 'ballasts' were (maybe still are?) step-up auto-transformers (rather than simple chokes/inductors), some had various 'starting technologies' built into them and, of course, now we have 'electronic ballasts'.A fluorescent 'choke' or 'ballast', whichever you want to call it, is nothing but a large inductor. That is all there is to them. ... They are just inductors.
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