"larry" wrote in message
...
Bob M. wrote:


"Andrew Duane" wrote in message
oups.com...

I have a bunch of the "inexpensive" fluorescent under-cabinet lights
in my kitchen. The typical $10 big box store ones. Recently, one of
the tubes burned out, so I bought replacement, a regular old F8T5WW.
The other tubes all do the 3 second flicker before they turn on, but
this new tube snaps right on at full brightness.


F8t5 suggests the unit has an electronic ballast, which don't flicker and
start up almost immediately, plus they run cooler. Are the others all
the same as this one?

As I recall, there were 3 flavors of fl lamps, pre-heat(starter/button),
rapid-start(shunted filament winding), and instant start(inductive kick?).
They had


Perhaps for magnetic ballasts, but for electronic ballasts I don't think
that's true because by their nature they are all rapid-start or instant
start and don't need a starter. There IS a rating for sound on electronic
ballasts though; junk units do buzz, but a decent-quality unit is inaudible
from within inches of the unit.