What does that mean in lamens terms ';HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM CONTROL BALLAST'; its for hydro kits i know that?

i am wanting to set up a hydroponic growing lights and not sure what a ballast is and what it does





And does anyone know what i need in a way of kit to get me started





And best way of doing it cheap as possible second hand if possibleWhat does that mean in lamens terms ';HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM CONTROL BALLAST'; its for hydro kits i know that?
HPS light fixture use the ballast to develop enough voltage to cause the sodium in the light to vaporize so it will conduct electricity. It is one of the 4 vital parts of a HPS fixture. The others are the firing card, the lamp and the reflector. If you want the system to operate properly, buy a new fixture. A used ballast is just a fish anchor. I've put in hundreds on fishing boats.What does that mean in lamens terms ';HIGH PRESSURE SODIUM CONTROL BALLAST'; its for hydro kits i know that?
That's a ballast for a specific kind of high intensity discharge lamp.


The lamp won't operate without it.


it basically starts, then controls current through, an arc in metallic vapor.


They generally come as part of the fixture in which the lamp is installed.


The fixture will include a reflector to direct the light where it's wanted.


(This is big stuff. Expensive, and not usually bought by private individuals.


You will be rumored to be growing 'pot'. The rumor will spread.)


FYI: Hydroponics requires only certain narrow wavelenghths of light.


HID lamps produce narrow bands, but not necessarily the same ones.


Be sure you choose the right lamps.