Concept and Function of the Reactor
Also called a ballast, the reactor is an electrical current limiter widely used in fluorescent lamps and other electrical devices. It is an inductive device that adjusts the electrical grid voltage to the most suitable power for the optimal operation of electrical equipment.
Composition and Operation
Composed of several enameled copper wires, which make several turns around a core, the reactor impedes the passage of alternating current without significantly altering the passage of direct current. The device, therefore, acts as a filter for alternating current.
Technological Evolution
Originally, the reactor consisted of an electrical current transformer that converted the input voltage into an output voltage necessary for the activation of lamps. Today these devices are much lighter and simpler, and have an electronic circuit capable of making this conversion.
Application in Fluorescent Lamps
In the case of fluorescent lamps, the reactor’s function is twofold: it serves to produce the electrical impulse that causes the lamp to light up and, while it is in operation, keeps the electrical current at a safe level. Without the presence of the reactor, the lamp would explode.
High-Performance Reactors
There are also high-performance reactors, which prevent interference and intermittencies in the electrical system of commercial installations, hospitals, banks, and schools.
