Radionic Industries was established in 1939 and is one of the oldest lighting ballast manufacturers in the US, offering both magnetic and electronic ballasts with various case styles, mounting configurations and voltage capabilities.
Even if radionics is just another new age fad, its devices cannot be denied as being beautiful.
Ballasts
Ballasts are essential components for HID (high-intensity discharge) and fluorescent light fixtures, helping regulate energy distribution throughout their start-up and operating processes, including limiting current supply to prevent the light from overheating and protecting it from being overlit. By matching voltages and currents to each fixture type, ballasts reduce risks such as electrical surge failure or fire while simultaneously cutting costs and minimising flickering.
Magnetic ballasts are one of the most frequently used types, often used to power T12 linear fluorescents and two-pin CFL bulbs. Magnetic ballasts may also be found powering metal halide and HPS lamps; using magnetic fields as current flow controls. While magnetic ballasts were once widely used due to their large and bulky design, modern energy efficient ballasts are slowly replacing these traditional solutions.
Electronic ballasts, often seen with LED lighting fixtures, are the latest innovation. These contain circuitry that converts alternating current to direct current for lower power consumption overall and thinner and lighter fixtures; additionally they don’t need cooling which makes them suitable for indoor applications.
Electronic ballasts offer another advantage in that there are no moving parts, lengthening their lifespan and making them suitable for locations with frequent switching on and off – such as meeting rooms or office spaces. Electronic ballasts also work well with lights with motion detectors since they keep the electrodes preheated with constant low voltage current until someone flips on their light switch.
Fluorescent Bulbs
Fluorescent lamps emit visible light through an inert gas (usually argon) within a glass tube containing phosphor. The phosphor absorbs high-energy ultraviolet photons, and converts them to lower energy visible light photons that emit much more visible light than its incandescent equivalent using equal electric power consumption. As such, fluorescent bulbs produce much more visible light per unit of electric power used, but their limited spectrum distribution poses problems when used for strobe applications.
Heinrich Geissler created an early predecessor of fluorescent lamps in 1856 when he devised his device, which produced a bluish glow by sealing gases inside a tube and exciting them with an induction coil. A similar device was later invented by Henri Becquerel when conducting research on fluorescence, phosphorescence, and radioactivity.
By the late 1920s, all the key components for today’s fluorescent lamp had come together: low-cost glass tubing, long-life electrodes and reliable means to produce electrical discharge within its confines were in place; filling gases were available, while an efficient way was established for producing continuous current to power discharging gas discharge.
Edmund Germer and colleagues soon developed and patented a fluorescent coating which converted ultraviolet rays produced by an arc into more evenly dispersed visible light, leading to widespread commercial application by General Electric by 1938.
There is a wide range of fluorescent bulb shapes and sizes. Some models are straight or may be bent for specific applications. Others are circular in shape or even miniature cylinder-like for table lamps. Modern fluorescents come with compact bases which allow them to fit easily into standard light fixtures while often including an integral ballast system to reduce both size and energy use.
Non-integrated fluorescent lamps use separate electronic ballasts that can be swapped out after their lifespan has expired, providing more power for longer and reducing flicker. These lights are considered non-integrated.
Power Supplies
Radionic Industries provides an extensive line of magnetic and electronic fluorescent ballasts. Their portfolio covers most original equipment manufacturers as well as all case styles, mounting configurations and voltage requirements. Their customer service department offers troubleshooting solutions and product selection assistance; online purchasing options are also provided as are warehousing and shipping services. Established in Chicago since 1939.