Comparison of Magnetic and Electronic Ballasts

The below comparison is for a 40W T8 Linear Fluorescent Lamp operating on a Electromagnetic ballast and an Electronic Ballast with APFC (Active Power Factor Correction).

 Parameter Electromagnetic Ballast
Electronic Ballas
 Operating frequency50Hz  (A/C power frequency)
>20KHz
 Power Factor 0.5 >0.995
 Total Harmonic Distortion 15-30% <10%
 Current drawn for lumen output of 2450 430mA 320mA
 Lamp Wattage Consumption 36W32W
 Watt Losses6-15W
3-4W