Ballast Factor (BF)

It is the measured ability of particular ballast to produce light from the lamps it powers. It is derived by dividing the lumen output of a particular lamp/ballast combination by the lumen output of the same lamps on reference ballast. Hence, Ballast factor is the ratio of the luminous output of a lamp when operated on ballast to its luminous output when operated under standardized rating conditions. In other words, it is the percentage of rated lumens from the same lamp using commercial ballast as compared to ANSI reference ballast. Ballast factor is not a measure of energy efficiency. For example, a ballast factor of .96 means the commercial ballast produces 96% of light produced by ANSI reference ballast operating the same lamp. The ballast factor can be referred to in the catalogs from fluorescent or HID ballast manufacturers.

Electronic Ballast