Hard starting Actinics

[Bob I]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

some tar ballasts require a grounding plane to fire the tubes properly.. this can be as simple as a wire run above the bulbs from one end to the other but not touching the bulb. some older electricians probably remembers more about this as it isn't very common anymore as far as I know of.

Steve

I had to refer to "Application of Electrical Construction" by Clidero and Sharpe - printed in 1975 for this quote "Rapid start fixtures, which were developed after the pre-heat and instant start types, take advantage of the voltage that exists between the cathodes and the metal frame of the fixture. For this reason all rapid start fixtures must be grounded. Otherwise in cool weather they will often fail to start.