Author Topic: Electronic Ballast makes brief static/ringing sound when it first turns on  (Read 1178 times)
F96T12 DD VHO
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Electronic Ballast makes brief static/ringing sound when it first turns on « on: October 17, 2021, 09:08:16 PM » Author: F96T12 DD VHO
I have a laundry room fixture. It currently houses 2 F32T8s on a T8 ballast
But when I turn it on the ballast makes a slight ringing static sound then goes silent after

I'm positive it's the ballast because I ran it without lamps and it still made a sound as if the lamps were still in the fixture

However, this does affect the lamp too, when it turns on and the ballast makes that sound, the lights get dimmer then to full brightness.

The ballast in question is a GE UltraMax 72275

This is powered by 120VAC

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xmaslightguy
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Re: Electronic Ballast makes brief static/ringing sound when it first turns on « Reply #1 on: October 17, 2021, 11:58:49 PM » Author: xmaslightguy
I have various electronic ballasts that make a little sound when turned on. Its normal operation, nothing to worry about.
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Medved
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Re: Electronic Ballast makes brief static/ringing sound when it first turns on « Reply #2 on: October 18, 2021, 03:36:37 AM » Author: Medved
Some components may emit some sound (mainly chokes and capacitors), but if it were normal, it would do that every time the same way and of course would not influence the lamp operation.
Sometimes the PFC voltage regulation loop is unstable when not loaded by the inverter running lamps, it then just settles once at least one lamp starts and so loads the output of the PFC stage.

However if it happens only sometimes and it correlates with lamps having trouble starting, it is likely there is arcing happening within the ballast. Either on the PCB or within some component (could be coil, but as well a capacitor,...). Other option is, the tank electrolytic capacitor is about to die, exhibits capacitance loss and mainly elevated ESR, so causes the inverter or the PFC circuit to work erratically.
Either way, I'm afraid the ballast is about to die and unless the issue is rectified in time, it may blow up in a way so it won't be fixable anymore (mainly charred PCB).
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Re: Electronic Ballast makes brief static/ringing sound when it first turns on « Reply #3 on: October 19, 2021, 02:32:20 AM » Author: xmaslightguy
@Medved:
As mentioned above, I have F32 electronic ballasts that make a little sound when first turned on. Some brand-new, some not but have always done it. Just a normal operation thing there.

Though I agree if it 'happens only sometimes' or 'did not used to to it', then it may signal a problem...
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