[Elecraft] CFL lamp noise (fluorescent ballasts)

[Nick-WA5BDU]

Yes, I have some issues with electronic ballasts too.  I was bummed by 
the amount of audible hum from the conventional ballasts in my four 
kitchen ceiling fixtures.  As an experiment I replaced the ballasts in 
two of them with Phillips electronic units.  I listened on AM on 160 
meters and also higher up in HF and heard no noise so I pronounced 
myself satisfied.

Later I discovered that those ballasts are putting out tremendous RFI on 
6 meters and also make it impossible to hear anything on the FM 
broadcast band.  So now they stay switched off most of the time.  I've 
been meaning to try separate AC line filters in each fixture but haven't 
done it yet.

73-

Nick, WA5BDU



On 11/18/2012 2:35 PM, Jim Wiley wrote:
> Are you talking about a CFL, or a conventional fluorescent lamp? Many
> newer fluorescent lamps come with an electronic ballast.  These are
> sometimes a problem, in that the "ballast" operates like a switching
> power supply, and if not designed or built properly, can emit copious
> amounts of noise.   A standard "old fashioned" magnetic ballast does not
> have this problem.  If your lamp uses the newer electronic ballast,
> replacing the ballast with a magnetic type will fix the problem.
>