what's an electronic ballast?

Whats the difference between an electronic ballast and a regular ballast?

Not sure if I should go with the 400watt switchable (mh/hps in one)ballast or a 400 watt electronic hps ballast for flowering and CFL's for veg. Because i dont think they make 400 watt switchable electronic ballast's.


Anybody know?

Theya re all electronic, one is called a magnetic ballast and the other is a digital ballast. Digital is a tiny bit more efficient, quieter, lighter in weight, easier on bulbs but costs more. A magnetic ballast has a power transformer and a capacitor for a starter, they are stupid simple and run for many years and are less costly. they humm, are quite a bit bigger and heavier.

Most digital ballasts will work with HPS or MH lights, if you get a magnetic ballast it must be a convertible one to run MH.