Voltage temperature life testing of fluorescent ballast insulation systems

FLUORESCENT lamp ballasts were first introduced by the General Electric Company in 1939 as a necessary auxiliary for a new lighting source, the fluorescent lamp. From the time of the introduction of this new product up through World War II, standard 105 C (degrees centigrade) (class A) insulation materials were used and little was done about improving this aspect of the product. Primary development activity was concerned with reducing size and improving circuitry of the units.