What is a ballast and why do I need one

If you would like to give hydroponic gardening a try, one of the hydroponic supplies that you will need is HID lights. HID, or High Intensity Discharge, lamps will provide the strong light that plants need to thrive in an indoor setting. In order for these lamps to work properly, they must function in conjunction with a ballast.

An HID light consists of a glass tube that contains tungsten electrodes, gas and metals. You see light emit from the tube when an electrical arc is struck across the electrodes. The gas helps the light to start, and once the metals are heated they function to produce the light. Gardeners enjoy the benefits of using these lights because they provide light that most closely resembles sunlight, a definite plus when you are growing plants indoors without exposure to sunlight. They are also cost efficient, because they last longer than other light bulbs and are more energy efficient.

The ballast is used to start the hydroponic grow lamps and to allow the electricity to continue flowing through the bulb to keep the light on. The ballast's function is to control the electrical current running through the glass bulb so that there is just enough current flowing through so that the light ignites and is maintained, but not so much that the bulb is destroyed. Having said that, it is clear that you must use a ballast when you want to run your HID lights in order to control the electrical current; otherwise, they will not work properly.

There are three different types of ballasts that are used with high intensity discharge lights, and they include magnetic ballasts, electronic ballasts, and digital ballasts. A magnetic ballast is also called a core and coil ballast, which refers to the components inside the ballast. Along with a capacitor, they work together to control the current to ignite the light and keep the energy flowing at exactly the correct rate for the bulb. Some magnetic ballasts also come with an igniter, which are used in coordination with sodium and metal halide lamps. Electronic ballasts use electronic circuitry to control the electrical flow within the HID bulb. A digital ballast works on a higher frequency, so it produces more light but uses less energy to do so. The digital aspect of the ballast allows it to function at consistently correct temperatures, which helps the bulbs to last longer.

You will need the proper ballast made to work with the specific HID lamp you would like to use. There are several types of bulbs, including mercury vapor, low and high pressure sodium, and metal halide. The ballasts can vary depending on the bulb's wattage and type, so that you can get exactly what you need.

Susan Slobac discussses what a ballast is and how it works within your hydroponic gardening system. Focused on saving you money, she details what types of ballasts to use with the hydroponic grow lights already in use in your garden. Her advice can make a substantial impact on the overall cost of producing fruits and vegetable in an indoor garden.