On Thu, 01 Nov 2018 03:14:03 GMT, Matt
m wrote:

replying to Jeff Wisnia, Matt wrote:
Jeff, dumb question as I’m a beginner: these small desk lamps with the
red/black button starter don’t have a ballast....the only other part is a
smal in-line transformer, that’s it! So, the switch acts as a
“starter?” Why is no ballast needed in these lamps like ceiling mounted
fluorescent lights?
That "transformer" IS the ballast. It is a "manual start ballast"