Fluorescent Lamps:
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Fluorescent Ballasts II Instant Start ballasts are more efficient than Rapid Start ballasts.
They are chosen for most new installations.

Instant Start ballasts save a few watts per fixture and are now standard in most T8 installations. GE's F32T8/WM, the F28T8/XL lamp and F32T8/25W lamp can be operated only on Instant Start Ballasts and some fo the newer Programmed Start Ballasts likeGE's Ultrastart ballast. The older T12 lamps are usually operated on magnetic Rapid Start Ballasts. These ballasts are being outlawed from 2009 on due to their inefficiency but the T12 lamps themselves will continue to be available.

For special applications where the lamps are turned on and off frequently (for example, with motion sensors) special ballasts called Programmed Rapid Start (GE brand name: UltraStart™) ballasts are available.

Because of its "soft start" GE's Ultrastart ballast extends lamp life significantly even in ordinary applications where lamps are turned on and off just once a day. For example, the F28T8/XL lamp is rated at 30,000 hours on a regular Instant Start ballast, but 42,000 hours on a Programmed Start ballast (at 12 hours per start).