When you turn on the tube light, the starter links the filaments at both ends, allowing a modest current to pass through them. This current warms the filaments, which is required for the lamp to properly ignite.
Generating a High Voltage Pulse
After a brief delay, the starter interrupts the circuit, triggering an inductive kick from the ballast and a high voltage pulse. This high voltage is required to ionize the gas inside the tube light & begin the flow of current through the tube, which ignites the lamp.
Providing Reliable Ignition
The starter enables a consistent and dependable lighting process by opening and shutting the circuit repeatedly until the tube light ignites.
In summary, the starter assists in preheating the filaments and providing the high voltage required to ignite the fluorescent tube light.
The function of the starter in a tube light circuit is to initiate the lighting process of the fluorescent tube. Here’s how it works:
Initial Current Flow:
When the tube light is switched on, the starter allows current to flow through the filaments at each end of the tube. This current flow heats up the filaments.
Heating the Filaments:
The heated filaments emit electrons into the tube, which is necessary for ionizing the gas inside the tube.
Starter Action:
The starter contains a small, gas-filled tube with a bimetallic strip. As the current flows through the starter, it heats the bimetallic strip, causing it to bend and make contact, effectively short-circuiting the starter.
This short-circuiting causes a sudden increase in current, which further heats the filaments.
Breaking the Circuit:
After a short period, the starter’s bimetallic strip cools down and opens the circuit, causing a brief interruption in the current flow.
High Voltage Pulse:
The opening of the circuit causes a high voltage pulse to be induced by the ballast. This high voltage pulse is necessary to ionize the gas inside the fluorescent tube.
Ionization and Light Emission:
The high voltage pulse ionizes the gas in the tube, creating a conductive path between the filaments.
Once the gas is ionized, the tube becomes conductive, and an electric arc is established between the filaments, causing the phosphor coating on the inside of the tube to emit light.
Starter Out of the Circuit:
Once the tube light is lit, the starter is effectively out of the circuit and does not influence the operation of the light until the next time the light is turned on.
In summary, the starter’s primary function is to heat the filaments and create a high voltage pulse necessary to ionize the gas inside the fluorescent tube, initiating the lighting process.
