{"id":1284,"date":"2022-09-13T04:32:54","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T04:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/?p=1284"},"modified":"2022-09-13T13:34:58","modified_gmt":"2022-09-13T13:34:58","slug":"what-is-a-ballast-resistor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledask.com\/what-is-a-ballast-resistor\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Ballast Resistor? How to Test a Ballast Resistor with a Multimeter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is a Ballast Resistor? A ballast resistor<\/a> is used in electrical devices to balance and maintain constant voltage flow through the circuits. A resistor does this by alternating its resistance to match the current from the power source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains how a ballast resistor balances current flow in an electrical circuit and its uses in various applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To learn more on ballast resistors, please take a read!<\/p>\n\n\n

What is a Ballast Resistor Used for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n

A ballast resistor<\/a> is an electrical component integrated into an electrical gadget for balancing the amount of current flow and voltage in the device’s circuit. The ballast resistor in a circuit limits the current and hence prevents it from overcurrent faults. Hence, as the current in the device’s circuit (e.g., Neon lamps & light bulbs, LEDs, fans with alternating speeds, bright light bulbs, and lights) varies and increases above a particular threshold value, the resistance also starts to increase. This in turn, decreases the current and protects the circuit from overcurrent faults. Thus, maintaining the stability of the device’s circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Resistors\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Resistors<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently, standard ballast resistors are rarely used because advanced electrical resistors in most circuits have replaced them.<\/p>\n\n\n

How does a Ballast Resistor Work?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n

A ballast resistor works by alternating and matching its resistance with the current level through the circuit<\/a>. For instance, if the current flowing through the resistor increases above the threshold value, the resistance increases. Similarly, the resistance can then correspondingly decrease as the current decreases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever this happens, the ballast resistor minimizes and balances the electrical current through the circuit in a system preventing any faults in the circuit. Thus, protecting the other parts of the electrical device from unbalanced voltage damages such as car-battery drainage cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Ballast Resistors<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main types of ballast resistors which are;<\/p>\n\n\n\n