Electronic starters are currently fitted as standard in Fitzgerald fluorescent slimline fittings.
They contain no moving parts or contacts to wear out and remove the need to ever replace starters for the life of the luminaire. In addition Electronic Start greatly enhances tube life to the extent that end blackening and life reduction caused by switching become negligible and the full rated burn life of the tube can be realised. The savings in maintenance are therefore considerable and very quickly exceed the small additional initial cost added to the luminaire.
Luminaires fitted with electronic start will also operate at lower temperatures - in some cases down to as low as -35°C.
Electronic starters also improve the time taken to ignite the lamp. By supplying one positive pulse, the lamp is ignited in less than 3 seconds from switching. The delay can vary with lamp size and type of starter.