A low power factor ballast will draw more current than a high power factor ballast for the same wattage lamp. The result is that fewer fixtures can operate on a given circuit. Some utilities charge customers who have low power factors, because low power factor affects their distribution wires the same way. Low power factors are more common with compact fluorescent technology. Industrial facilities with inductive loads such as motors will very often have low power factor and may be charged extra by the utility.
Harmonic distortion is a specific type of current and voltage contamination.
With harmonic distortion the pure sinusoidal waveform is deformed. One of the possible causes is lighting, and in particular, electronic ballasts. Other equipment can also generate harmonics including variable frequency drives, personal computers, programmable controllers and solid state switching devices. Harmonics can also enter a facility in from outside, a neighboring facility, for example. High harmonic distortion can have negatively impact a building's electric distribution system.