Ballasts

• The ballast of a fluorescent light is either magnetic or electronic. Electronic ballasts eliminate the flickering associated with magnetic fluorescent ballasts, which are also heavier. Fluorescent lights designed to work in dimming fixtures have special ballasts.
  
  

Tubes

• The tube of a fluorescent light contains mercury and inert gases and is coated with phosphor. When the ballast sends electricity through the tube, the gases produce ultraviolet light, which causes the phosphor coating to glow and emit light.
  
  

Types

• Fluorescent lights come in many shapes, sizes and colors. For example, compact fluorescent lights, which are approximately the size of incandescent lights, work well in lamps, fixtures and other applications. Tube and circline lights work well for task lighting and overhead lighting.