What is the Difference Between Instant Start and Rapid Start Ballast?
Instant Start (IS) ballast require a larger amount of energy to start the lamp than Rapid Start (RS). This can reduce the lamp life by up to 25% if you turn the light on and off quite a bit. However, IS ballast does use less energy than the RS ballast, passing on energy savings to the customer. RS ballast preheat cathodes before turning on the lamp, and more energy is used to keep the cathodes constantly heated. With RS, one gets more lamp life, but less efficiency. IS ballast are more popular because they are less expensive and have fewer wires for installation. IS ballast are popular with T8 lamps.
