GE Lighting 93880 GE2F96T12 Fluorescent Ballast

Name: GE Lighting 93880 GE2F96T12 Fluorescent Ballast
Brand: GE
SKU: 93880

★★★★★4.3 (26 reviews)

A multi-voltage instant-start ballast that keeps T12 fluorescent fixtures running reliably from -20°F to full commercial operating temperature.

$39.89*

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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The GE Lighting 93880 GE2F96T12 is an electronic instant-start ballast engineered specifically for T12-diameter fluorescent tubes across a wide range of lengths — from 48" F48T12 through 96" F96T12 variants. Its multi-volt 120–277V input rating is the defining practical feature: a single ballast part number covers both standard residential branch circuits and the 277V commercial distribution common in industrial and retail lighting panels. Instant-start ignition fires the arc immediately at full output, trading slightly reduced lamp life (compared to program-start designs) for the simplicity and cost savings of a non-preheating circuit.

Cold-weather performance is a legitimate differentiator here — the -20°F minimum starting temperature addresses a real failure mode in unheated structures where standard ballasts refuse to strike in winter. The physical footprint at 9.5" x 1.7" x 1.2" is standard for this category, fitting into existing fluorescent housings without modification. The honest context for any buyer is the state of T12 technology: this is a maintenance and replacement ballast for existing T12 fixture infrastructure, not a forward-looking specification. It performs reliably in that role, but facilities evaluating long-term lighting strategy should factor in the diminishing availability of T12 tubes alongside the ballast cost.

Key Features

This are easy to use

This are highly durable

This is manufactured in China

Specifications

Model

GE2F96T12 (93880)

Compatible Lamp Types

F96T12, F84T12, F96T12/WM, F72T12, F96T12/WMP, F64T12, F60T12, F48T12

Input Voltage

Multi-Volt 120–277V

Start Type

Instant Start

Minimum Starting Temperature

-20°F

Power Factor

0.87–0.98 (Normal)

Dimensions (L x W x H)

9.5" x 1.7" x 1.2"

Dimming

Not dimmable

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

Multi-volt 120–277V input eliminates the need to stock separate ballasts for residential versus commercial voltage circuits.
Instant-start operation provides immediate full-output ignition without the warm-up delay of program-start or rapid-start designs.
20°F minimum starting temperature makes this ballast functional in cold storage, warehouses, and unheated exterior fixture applications.
Broad T12 tube compatibility across eight lamp types — from 48" to 96" lengths — reduces the number of ballast SKUs needed for a mixed fixture inventory.
Compact 9.5" x 1.7" x 1.2" form factor fits standard fluorescent fixture housings without modification.

👎 Cons

T12 fluorescent technology is largely obsolete in new construction — replacement T12 tubes are increasingly difficult to source as the market has shifted to T8 and LED.
No dimming capability — this ballast operates at full output only, unsuitable for any application requiring variable light levels.
Power factor of 0.87–0.98 means some units fall below the 0.9 threshold preferred for commercial energy compliance programs.
No specifications provided for operating frequency output, making it difficult to verify flicker performance at specific video frame rates without independent testing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which specific fluorescent tube types does this ballast support?

The GE2F96T12 supports F96T12, F84T12, F96T12/WM, F72T12, F96T12/WMP, F64T12, F60T12, and F48T12 — all T12 diameter tubes in the 48" to 96" length range. It does not support T8 or T5 tubes.

What input voltage range does this ballast accept?

It is rated multi-volt 120–277V, meaning it can be wired directly into standard North American 120V residential circuits or 277V commercial branch circuits without purchasing a different ballast for each application.

What is the minimum operating temperature for this ballast?

Rated to start at -20°F, making it suitable for cold storage facilities, unheated garages, and outdoor-rated fixtures in freezing climates where normal instant-start ballasts may fail to ignite.

What is the power factor of this ballast?

The power factor ranges from 0.87 to 0.98 — classified as normal power factor. High-power-factor ballasts (>0.9) are preferred in commercial installations where utility billing penalizes low power factor loads.

Is this ballast compatible with electronic dimming systems?

No — this is a standard instant-start ballast with no dimming capability. It operates at full output only. For dimming applications, a dimmable ballast with matching dimmer controls is required.