by Greg Green
Lights
Lights come in all shapes, sizes, wattage and type. A full indoor grow lighting kit should contain the following items. Bulb, reflector, ballast, timer and electrical inputs/outputs.
Most lighting kits are open, meaning that no hood or glass will cover the bulb. It hangs directly under the reflector. The bulb is fixed into a socket that is attached to the inside of the reflector. That socket is connected to the ballast. The ballast can be internal or external. If external there will be a cord leading to the ballast from the bulb’s socket. The ballast plugs into a domestic light socket like the one you have in your home. Some ballast types even have a built-in timer.
When buying a lighting system it is recommend that you buy a complete system and an extra bulb. Check to make sure that the lighting system meets safety regulations and has some sort of guarantee with it.