Fluorescent Ballasts - Electronic, Magnetic, T5, T8, T9, T12 & CFL

Shop by Lamp Type

• T5 / T5HO Ballasts — Miniature bipin. High-efficiency T5 and high-output T5HO for high-bays, offices, and coves.
• T8 Ballasts — The volume replacement. 1- to 4-lamp electronic, instant or programmed start, 120V and 120–277V.
• T12 Ballasts — Electronic replacements for F34/F40 and 8 ft T12. Do not put a T8 lamp on a T12 ballast.
• Circline & CFL Ballasts — T9 circline, 2-pin and 4-pin compact fluorescent, including sign and decorative fixtures.

Parent hub: Ballasts & Drivers. HID kits live there, not here.

Electronic vs Magnetic

• Electronic — Quiet, cooler, less flicker, 10–30% less energy than magnetic. Default for T5, T8, and most T12 replacements.
• Magnetic — Heavy core-and-coil. Still specified on some legacy T12 and CFL fixtures. Hum and heat are normal.

You can usually drop an electronic ballast in place of a magnetic one if lamp type, lamp count, voltage, and case size match. Recheck wiring — instant-start T8 often needs shunted tombstones.

How to Choose

1. Read the lamp, not the fixture

The tube stamp is the spec: F32T8, F17T8, F54T5HO, F40T12, FC12T9, CF26W. Wrong family will not start or will fail early.

2. Match lamp count

1-lamp, 2-lamp, 3-lamp, or 4-lamp. A 2-lamp F32T8 ballast is not a 2-lamp F54T5HO ballast.

3. Pick the start method

• Instant start — Long run hours, few switches. Common on T8 strips.
• Rapid start — General purpose. Many T12 and circline circuits.
• Programmed start — Occupancy sensors and frequent on/off. Best lamp life.

4. Confirm voltage

120V, 277V, or 120–277V universal. Universal covers most commercial jobs with one SKU.

5. Keep the fluorescent system or convert to LED

Replace the ballast when the lamps are staying fluorescent. If this is the second ballast failure, or the building is already moving to LED, use LED Tubes — Type A still needs a healthy ballast; Type B needs the ballast removed.

Why Buy from LeanLight?

• Fast, free shipping from Georgia (typically 1–5 days in the U.S.)
• Volume and project discounts on cases
• Cross-reference from the old OEM number (Keystone, LEDVANCE/Sylvania, Halco)
• 30-day satisfaction guarantee
• Commercial and industrial specialists since 2008

Related: Ballasts & Drivers · LED Tubes · Linear Fluorescent Lamps

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a fluorescent ballast do?

It provides the strike voltage to start the lamp, then limits current so the tube runs without destroying itself.

Electronic or magnetic?

Buy electronic unless the fixture is specified magnetic. Electronic is quieter, cooler, and more efficient.

Can I put a T8 tube on a T12 ballast?

No. T8 fluorescent lamps need a T8 electronic ballast. A T12 ballast overdrives a T8 lamp. Convert the ballast, or use a Type B LED tube and bypass the ballast.

Do electronic ballasts need a starter?

No. Starters belong on older magnetic preheat circuits. Instant-start and programmed-start electronic ballasts do not use a separate starter.

Will this ballast run a Type A LED tube?

Some Type A tubes are listed on specific electronic ballasts. Check the tube’s ballast compatibility list. Type B tubes require the ballast to be removed.

How do I cross a failed OEM ballast?

Read the label: lamp type, lamp count, watts, volts, and model number. Search that number or send it to us for a Keystone, LEDVANCE, or Halco match.