When power is first applied a high voltage several hundred volts is needed to initiate the discharge.
Fluorescent light transformer output voltage.
The ballast provides enough voltage to start the fluorescent bulbs and once they are started it quickly lowers the current to produce just enough electricity to produce a steady light source.
Newer fluorescent ballasts are usually rated for both 120 volts and 277 volts.
Commercial cfls use a separate ballast.
The advantage of this circuit has a lot of brightness using less energy.
Fluorescent lamps use a ballast which transforms line voltage to a voltage to start up and operate the lamp s.
How many volts needed.
The amount of illumination in the fluorescent bulb is controlled by a ballast that is connected to the fixture.
Some are rated for only 120 volts others for only 277 volts used in commercial environments.
The line voltage can be many different voltages 120v 227v 347v.
However once this takes place a much lower voltage usually under 100 v for tubes under 30 watts 100 to 175 volts for 30 watts or more is needed to maintain it 100 175 v.
When it uses 12v battery has consumption current about 300 ma.
Using a 555 timer as main parts.
This is 4w 12v fluorescent lamp driver circuit.
You may use a 12v adapter or 12v battery.
If your fluorescent fixture is not working properly use a multimeter also called a volt ohm meter to check the fixture s voltage to determine if the problem is the ballast or another component.