Fluorescent lamp
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A fluorescent lamp, or fluorescent tube, is a low-pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamp that uses fluorescence to produce visible light. An electric current in the gas excites mercury vapor, to pr
Linear fluorescent lamps illuminating a pedestrian tunnel
Top: two non-integrated compact fluorescent lamps. Bottom: two fluorescent tube lamps. Both types require a ballast in the light fixture. A matchstick, left, is shown for scale.
Typical F71T12 100 W G13 bi-pin lamp used in tanning beds. The (Hg) symbol indicates that this lamp contains mercury. In the US, this symbol is now required on all mercury-containing fluorescent lamps.
A "tombstone" style lamp-holder for T12 and T8 G13 bi-pin fluorescent lamps
Electrical ballast
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An electrical ballast is a device placed in series with a load to limit the amount of current in an electrical circuit.
An American electronic instant start ballast for powering a variety of American T8 fluorescent lamps.
Variety of ballasts for fluorescent and other discharge lamps
A lamp starter, required with some inductor type ballasts. It connects the two ends of the lamp to preheat them for one second before lighting.
Ballast board for the ultra-high-performance lamp in a DLP projector (bottom right, outlined in red)