Exam Question

### (a) Explanation of Fluorescent Tube Power Factor Improvement
Fluorescent tubes, being a common lighting load, inherently operate at a lagging power factor due to the presence of an inductive ballast (choke) in their circuit. Improving this power factor is crucial for efficient and economical operation, especially in large installations onboard vessels.
**1. Origin of Lagging Power Factor in Fluorescent Tubes:**
* **Ballast (Choke) Function:** A fluorescent tube requires a high voltage for ignition and then a current-limiting device for stable operation. This is achieved by an inductive ballast, which is essentially a coil of wire wound around a laminated iron core.