Afluorescent lightdoes not have the common radiate filament of anincandescent bulb , but alternatively contains amercury vaporthat gives off ultraviolet Inner Light when ionized . The ultraviolet light seduce particles that coat the interior of the tube , and these particles glow or fluoresce ( seeHow Fluorescent Lamps Workfor details ) .
fluorescent fixture startersare used inseveral typesof fluorescent spark . The starter is there to help the lamp light . Whenvoltageis applied to the fluorescent lamp , here ’s what happens :
When you turn on a fluorescent fixture metro , the starting motor is aclosed switch . The filament at the ends of the metro are heated by electrical energy , and they create a swarm of electrons inside the tube . The fluorescent fixture starting motor is atime - delay switchthat opens after a second or two . When it open , the voltage across the tube admit a stream of electron to flux across the subway and ionize the hydrargyrum evaporation .
Without the appetizer , a firm stream of electrons is never created between the two filum , and the lamp flicker . Without the ballast , the arc is a short electrical circuit between the filaments , and this poor racing circuit contains a lot of current . The current either gasify the filament or causes the bulb to explode .
According toSam ’s F - Lamp FAQ :
The glowing subway incorporates a switch which is ordinarily undefendable . When power is applied , a glow discharge takes place which heats a bimetallic liaison . A second or so later , the contacts close up and provide current to the fluorescent filaments . Since the glow is decimate , there is no longer any heating of the bimetal and the contacts open . The inducive boot generated at the New York minute of opening triggers the master discharge in the fluorescent tube-shaped structure . If the contacts clear at a bad time , there is n’t enough inductive kick and the process replicate .