electronic ballasts and DCC

[edknecht]

I'd like to use fluorescent light fixtures with electronic ballasts in my new train room to avoid the noise produced by older magnetic ballasts. But, I've read that the higher operating frequencies of electronic ballasts can interfer with communications equipment. Does anyone have any knowledge or experince with IR or RF DCC systems in rooms using electronic ballasts in fluorescent fixtures?

[Anonymous]

I have flourescents exclusively in the train room and we operate with DCC both tethered and wireless and have no problems at all. Your wireless DCC throttle operates on 49 MegaHertz. Shouldn't be any problems.

Cheers,

Ed

[BentnoseWillie]

Electronic ballasts are designed to generate less radio-frequency interference, to decrease their impact upon any electronic device, be it a television, computer monitor or DCC system.

I'd be shocked if using electronic ballasts had any adverse impact on DCC operation.

[jhugart]

An article I read on this pointed out that there's a difference between residential and commercial electronic ballasts for T8 tubes. Residential ones should be shielded, but commercial ones may not be. I bought my T8 fixtures at Home Depot, and while I'm not using DCC (yet), I am doing X10 on the powerlines, and that hasn't been affected.