What is a Ballast? Do I need one?
A ballast is a device that regulates the voltage and current supplied to fluorescent and HID lighting fixtures. LED tube voltage is regulated by an LED driver, which is usually built in to the tube, so a ballast is not required for it. However, many LED tubes offered are ballast compatible for retrofitting purposes. While LED tubes are often ballast compatible, we do not recommend using them because they can consume up to an additional 20% more in power.