🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <78629@hydra.gatech.EDU> gt6441c@prism.gatech.EDU (Jon Edwards ) writes:
>I was told once that there is no such thing as a stupid question, so here goes:
>
>  Are rapid start (don't need starters) ballasts necessarily "electronic" 
>ballasts, or do they usually say "electronic" on them?
Well, it looks like we've run out of names for all these subtle variations!
The ballast/transformer used with these bulbs is indeed 'electronic',
but it is not 'solid-state' as it works without semiconductors. When it
came in to exsistence there were no solid state parts (1940's), and
what we call 'electronic' appliances today was limited to vacuum tube 
radio and gramaphones back then.

It would be very confusing if a ballast company had put 'solid-state' on
a tar and iron inductor, even if it is literally true!

Drawing a parallel from other things in our modern world, I think all
lighting controls will be 'solid-state' 'electronic' in the near future.
Before that happens it looks like there is a cost driven non semiconductor 
lighting system that we are seeing in the less-than-$10-shoplights market.

It wasn't a stupid question. 

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Peter J. Stonard        +                                /^\  /^\
Grass Valley Group      +                       /^\     /   \/
Grass Valley, CA. 95945 +                     /     \ /    /  
pjs@gvgspd.gvg.tek.com  +     Fish keeper in the Sierra Foothills
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If it looks like; sounds like; quacks like; an Opinion. It's mine.