Benefits of using digital ballasts

                                                                                         

Anyone starting out with hydroponics is bound to run into the choice between using digital ballasts or electronics ballasts for the lighting assembly. While there are similarities between the two, depending upon your set up and gardening preferences, one type of ballast may be preferable to the other. In order to create the ideal grow light environment for your garden, it is important to understand the differences between the two.

Electronic versus Digital ballasts

Both types of ballasts share basic components, but there is a significant difference between them. One variety offers greater functionality that may make it a better choice under certain conditions.

Electronic ballasts, such as Lumatek ballast, use circuitry to run hydroponics lamps. This gives them some degree of control over performance. Electronic circuitry enables the ballasts to control voltage and current within set parameters, for example.

Digital ballasts, such as a high intensity discharge or hid digital ballast, on the other hand, contain a microprocessor that enables them to control bulb output. In addition, these ballasts are equipped to continuously monitor the status of the bulb. In the event of bulb failure, digital ballasts do not attempt to light it

Benefits of using electronic ballasts

The Lumatek ballast, metal halide ballast and other varieties of these ballasts offer many benefits. As a rule, they maintain correct voltage delivery, regulate the arc current flow and maintain wattage. As a result, the light color remains consistent and bulb life is extended. For hydroponics gardens containing plants with specific light requirements, if plants are within a certain phase of the growth cycle for example, this feature is very significant.

Benefits of using digital ballasts

The digital varieties of ballasts, such as high pressure sodium or HPS ballasts, offer even greater control over performance. Because these ballasts are equipped to continuously monitor bulb health and operation, they can offer greater power savings. In some cases, they can even enable an increase in light output. In terms of convenience, they tend to have faster start up times, run cooler and make less noisy or completely soundless during operation.

While both types of ballasts have benefits, in some cases, one is clearly the better choice. The type of grow lights used, the environmental needs of plants in your hydroponics garden, economy and energy considerations should be kept in mind when deciding between them. For some gardens, ballast type is not a major consideration, but if you expect your gardening needs to change or want to keep the option open, selecting the model that provides the greatest control is a sound choice.

About the author:
Susan Slobac has a great deal of experience with indoor gardening. Hydroponic gardening is the way of the future. Known to some as “soil less gardening”, hydroponics are proven to grow plants 20-30% faster than their soil grown counterparts.

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