Fluorescent lamp service life 

The service life of a fluorescent lamp depends mainly on the type of starting procedure. If the electrodes are insufficiently preheated ([inductive ballasts) or cold ignited, the life of the fluorescent lamp is considerably reduced. 

When using electronic ballasts (EBs), the preheating time and the preheating energy of the electrodes are matched to the fluorescent lamp, thus the lamp life is almost independent of the switching cycles.