What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « on: May 31, 2021, 06:22:46 PM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
Whenever I see the words “reactor” and “choke” being used for single coil ballasts that are wired in series with the lamp, I see that the word “reactor” is more frequently associated with single coil HID ballasts for the North American market and rarely used in the context of single coil fluorescent ballasts and the word “choke” is more frequently associated with single coil HID ballasts for the European market and single coil fluorescent ballasts in general and rarely used in the context of single coil HID ballasts for the North American market. Do the words “reactor” and “choke” have different meanings or are they essentially the same thing?
		Logged

Desire to collect various light bulbs (especially HID), control gear, and fixtures from around the world.

DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

	Re: What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « Reply #2 on: May 31, 2021, 08:54:35 PM » Author: dor123
HX ballast is also considered "Reactor", compared to CWA which is "Autoregulator".
		Logged

I"m don't speak English well, and rely on online translating to write in this site.
Please forgive me if my choice of my words looks like offensive, while that isn't my intention.

I only working with the international date format (dd.mm.yyyy).

I lives in Israel, which is a 220-240V, 50hz country.

	Re: What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « Reply #3 on: May 31, 2021, 08:57:17 PM » Author: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA
Quote from: dor123 on May 31, 2021, 08:54:35 PM HX ballast is also considered "Reactor", compared to CWA which is "Autoregulator". Dor123, Both HX AND CWA ballasts have integral step up or step down transformers while “reactor” ballasts are just plain inductors by themselves without having a transformer in them at all.
		Logged

Desire to collect various light bulbs (especially HID), control gear, and fixtures from around the world.

DISCLAIMER: THE EXPERIMENTS THAT I CONDUCT INVOLVING UNUSUAL LAMP/BALLAST COMBINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED UNLESS YOU HAVE THE PROPER KNOWLEDGE. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INJURIES.

	Re: What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « Reply #4 on: June 01, 2021, 04:46:39 AM » Author: dor123
But CWA is capacitive autoregulator ballast and HX is a reactive ballast.
		Logged

I"m don't speak English well, and rely on online translating to write in this site.
Please forgive me if my choice of my words looks like offensive, while that isn't my intention.

I only working with the international date format (dd.mm.yyyy).

I lives in Israel, which is a 220-240V, 50hz country.

	Re: What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « Reply #5 on: June 01, 2021, 10:26:12 AM » Author: Medved
Quote from: WorldwideHIDCollectorUSA on May 31, 2021, 08:57:17 PM Dor123, Both HX AND CWA ballasts have integral step up or step down transformers while “reactor” ballasts are just plain inductors by themselves without having a transformer in them at all. The HX uses just linear reactance, but the CWA uses a form of feedback/amplifier (the saturating piece of magnetic circuit is a form of amplifier) current control. So the way it regulates the load current is way more complex than just a reactance in the circuit.
		Logged

No more selfballasted c***

	Re: What is the difference between a reactor and a choke ballast? « Reply #6 on: June 01, 2021, 07:52:21 PM » Author: Silverliner
Nothing. Reactor and choke are the same ballast type. Just different cultures between USA and Europe using different words. Same idea between ballast and gear.
		Logged

Administrator of Lighting-Gallery.net. Need help? PM me.

Member of L-G since 2005.

Collector of vintage bulbs, street lights and fluorescent fixtures.

Electrician.

Also a fan of cars, travelling, working out, food, hanging out.

Power company: Southern California Edison.