Fluorescent Lighting Systems

• Fluorescent lighting systems all consist of at least one or all of the following components: the starter system, ballast and a fluorescent lamp. The starter system starts up the light, the ballast limits the electrical current and the lamp is part of the light. These lamps or lights operate by an electrical current occurring between two metal conductors that are positioned in a glass tube, which is known as arcing. That electrical current flow goes through the gases in the tube and excites the mercury gas atoms. These atoms produce photons that vibrate and create ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet light has contact with the phosphor coating on the interior of the glass and then creates a bright light. In order for the fluorescent light to operate, the electricity running to the electrical conductors or cathodes must be larger than the electrical resistance of the gas inside the lamp so the electricity can start arcing through the gas.