Ballasts Residential vs Commercial

[grissom]

I am looking into upgrading my existing garage lighting with either T5HO or T8HO what is the difference between a residential and commercial ballast. I want somehting that will not interfere with the radio

Thanks

 

[pattenp]

You're safer sticking with a residential rated ballast to not have the RF problems.

Edit: Read this... http://www.ehow.com/info_10045553_difference-between-commercial-residential-ballast.html

 

[LennyTheLizard]

Where I work, we started replacing a bunch of lighting with the new tax credits available for energy use reduction. We started out with the T5's, but in no time started seeing balasts going bad at an alarming rate. I've heard from several electricians that they've seen this other places as weel. I would stick with T8.

 

[snorky18]

Commercial: possible RF interference issue (translation for most of us: the FM radio no longer works). Lower power consumption than residential model ballasts. (about half the consumption)

Residential: Higher power consumption than commercial, but you can still listen to the radio. (Higher=about double)

Details of my experience, including actual amperage and esitmated lighting cost differnces here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2684903&postcount=6

 

[grissom]

Commercial: possible RF interference issue (translation for most of us: the FM radio no longer works). Lower power consumption than residential model ballasts. (about half the consumption)

Residential: Higher power consumption than commercial, but you can still listen to the radio. (Higher=about double)

Details of my experience, including actual amperage and esitmated lighting cost differnces here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=2684903&postcount=6

I currently have an old 4' 4 bulb fixture that operates on a corded switch and have no problems with FM only with the AM