Starter for Fluorescent Tubes

Abstract

Starters are used in fluorescent lamps for starting purposes and are commonly known as STARTERs. Starter has two bimetallic electrodes enclosed in a small glass tube containing helium gas. These electrodes normally remain open. When the switch is switched ON, small current flows from one electrode to other electrode through helium gas. Discharge through the helium gas develops some heat which bends the bimetallic electrodes and thus they come directly in contact with each other. Now sufficient high current flows through the electrodes, after one or two seconds these electrodes cool down. The results in breaking the contact and current stops following through filament as well as choke coil.Hence, starter comes in circuit during starting of fluorescent lamps only to say. It performs the function of a switch.