Vossloh Schwabe L7/9/11.307 163694 – Huge UK Based Stock

L7/9/11.307 Technical Information

Output 5/7/9/11W
Lamp Type TC-S
Base G23
Current 180/175/170/155 mA
Type L7/9/11.307
Ref. No. 163694
Voltage 230V 50Hz
Dimensions 105mm x 41mm x 28mm
Weight 0.32kg
∆t/∆tan. 60/85K
Energy efficiency B2

How a switch start ballast works

Ignition: When the light is switched on, the starter switch completes a circuit that heats the lamp’s filaments. The ballast then provides a high voltage to start the arc, which causes the light to flicker several times before it fully ignites.

Regulation: Once the lamp is lit, the ballast’s magnetic choke limits the current to prevent the lamp from drawing too much power and burning out.

Components: A complete switch start system includes a magnetic ballast (choke), a separate starter switch, and the lamp itself.

Key Features of Switch Start Ballasts

Components: Requires a separate starter and a magnetic ballast.

Starting Process: The starter closes the circuit, heating filaments. The starter opens, creating a voltage spike (inductive kick) from the ballast that strikes the arc.

Pros: Robust, simple, reliable, and inexpensive to replace.

Cons: Slower, flickering start; generates noise/buzz; lower energy efficiency; generally heavier.

Application: Ideal for areas where lights are rarely turned on/off, as frequent cycling reduces lamp lif

When to consider a replacement

If you notice any of the following signs, a switch start ballast may need to be replaced.

• The light takes a long time to come on or flickers excessively.
• There is an audible buzzing sound coming from the fixture.
• The light’s quality or color consistency is compromised.

Common Issues

Flickering: A flickering, slow-starting tube often indicates the starter needs replacement, not the ballast itself.

Noise: Magnetic ballasts can produce a 50/60 Hz hum.

Switch-Start vs. Electronic

Electronic Ballasts: More energy-efficient, silent, and instant-on, but more expensive.

Magnetic Ballasts: Heavier, quieter (when functioning properly), and often found in older fixtures.

Whenever an electric light goes on around the world, Vossloh-Schwabe is likely to have made a key contribution to ensuring that everything works at the flick of a switch.

Vossloh-Schwabe has been around for more than 100 years. Headquartered in Germany, and with more than 500 employees at several production and sales sites throughout the world, Vossloh-Schwabe counts as a technology leader within the lighting sector. Top-quality, high-performance products form the basis of the company’s success.

Vossloh-Schwabe’s extensive product portfolio covers all lighting components: LED systems with matching control gear units, highly efficient optical systems, state-of-the-art control systems (Blu2Light and LiCS) as well as electronic and magnetic ballasts, ignitors and lampholders.

Vossloh-Schwabe operates based on a global, uniformly applicable quality management system. All production sites as well as the most important and largest distribution sites are also certified in accordance with ISO 9001.

The environmental management certification process in accordance with ISO 14001 was introduced in 2004 and the certification of all production sites took place at the end of 2005.

All quality relevant processes are subject to permanent monitoring and are managed using defined figures. All products are checked for compliance with the high Vossloh-Schwabe quality requirements along then entire production chain. Employees receive constant internal and external training to ensure that this standard is maintained.