Ballasts are electrical devices that condition the line voltage (amplitude, amperage and waveform) to operate fluorescent and HID lamps. Basically they serve two functions: to provide the starting kick, and to limit the current to the proper value for a particular lamp.
DC power supplies accept an input power and output the desired form of DC power. Common types of DC power supplies include linear power supplies, switching power supplies, DC-DC converters, and silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) type power supplies.
DC power systems provide continuous DC power through multiple outputs. Most DC power systems include a battery backup, temperature compensation, and other features.
DC-DC converters accept DC input and provide regulated and/or isolated DC output in various applications including computer flash memory, telecommunications equipment, and process control systems.
Power frequency converters take electrical input power at one frequency and voltage and provide electrical output power at a different frequency and at a different or equal voltage.
Power supplies are devices that produce AC or DC power. This grouping includes current sources, DC power supplies, AC-DC adapters, DC-DC converters, AC power sources, and DC-AC inverters.
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