Compatibility testing of fluorescent lamp and ballast systems

The rapid growth in the use of electronic ballasts for fluorescent lighting systems, and the corresponding increase in the number of new products and new manufacturers in the market, has raised a number of questions regarding the compatibility of the lamps and ballasts used in fluorescent systems. Because many of the new products start and operate lamps differently than previous products, the relevant American National Standards Institute requirements may no longer be adequate for addressing compatibility concerns. The impacts on system performance of the newer products have not been well established. This paper reports the results of a parametric study designed to test key hypotheses regarding the impact of ballast parameters on fluorescent lamp life. In this study, samples of 4-ft T8 fluorescent lamps were operated on duty cycles of 5 min on and 5 min off, using seven different ballast types. The results of the study indicate which parameters seem to have the biggest effect on lamp life, and can be used in establishing new performance standards for fluorescent systems     

The Application of Reduced-Wattage Fluorescent Lamps and High-Efficiency Ballasts to General Lighting Systems

The introduction of new energy-saving lamps and ballasts for fluorescent lighting has focused attention on the electrical and performance characteristics of the lamp/ballast/luminaire system. To obtain optimum efficiency the lighting designer must now consider not only catalog and nameplate ratings, but also hard-to-obtain thermal and field factors which can substantially affect energy input and light output values. A discussion of these factors is presented along with practical design information for a number of lamp/ballast combinations are used in a variety of standard luminaires. Also included is the expected impact on system energy use and economics.     

触发器对陶瓷金卤灯寿命的影响探讨

通过实验研究了陶瓷金卤灯配套电感镇流器燃点时的工作状态,找出了陶瓷金卤灯寿命短、频闪等问题的原因。研究结果表明,在陶瓷金卤灯点亮后,通过一个电子装置自动断开触发器与灯工作线路的连接,可以延长灯的寿命。     

New fixture applications for compact twin tube fluorescent lamps

New and efficient luminaires have been designed for compact, twin tube-type fluorescent lamps. One important example of these new fixture applications is the 1×1 ft luminaire with three 18 W high lumen twin tube fluorescent lamps. Performance comparisons with this luminaire type have been made using different 18 W lamps operating on preheat and rapid start-type ballasts. The preheat (switch start) measurements were made at 240 V and 50 Hz using single lamp reactor type ballasts, and the rapid start measurements were made at 120 V and 60 Hz using three-lamp electromagnetic and electronic ballasts. In addition, comparisons are made against an older technology 150 W incandescent downlight fixture with approximately the same light output level indicating the substantial improvement in system photometric performance for these new compact fluorescent light sources     

Automotive HID headlamps producing compact electronic ballastsusing power ICs

Incandescent halogen lamps have been the standard for automotive headlamps; however, metal halide high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps have slowly begun to be commercially used since the mid-1990s. The lighting system of the metal halide HID headlamp makes a great contribution to energy savings, longer lamp life and better visibility in traffic zones compared with halogen lamps. (Lamp life is lengthened because it prevents the loss of sodium metal as plus ions through the quartz of the lamp bulb.) This article describes power ICs consisting of full bridge inverters and their drivers in detail. Market requirements for electronic ballasts include more compact size, lighter weight, and lower cost. On the other hand, lamp manufacturers recommend that automotive metal halide HID lamps should be operated at negative voltage potential to the body of automotive headlight fixture in order to lengthen lamp life. In order to meet these requirements, a new multichip power integrated circuit (IC) for electronic ballast of automotive HID headlamps has been developed. Discrete power metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) are used for the inverter of the HID electronic ballast. It contains a high-voltage driver IC including a P-channel lateral double diffused MOSFET (LDMOS) to control the full bridge power MOSFETs     

Electronic lighting interference

This article presents empirical laboratory and field data documenting electromagnetic interference between high-efficiency electronic lighting and certain other electronic devices. Typical equipment involved are power-line carrier systems, security systems, and remote controls for televisions and VCRs. Reported cases involving both electronic lighting emissions and immunity in building power systems are summarized according to basic interference mechanisms. To illustrate the potential complexities of this problem, the article describes a case where high-efficiency lighting interfered with a hearing aid. The discussion of the case includes a field survey, laboratory investigations, and recommended solutions to the problem. To conserve energy, electric utilities have carried out demand-side management (DSM) programs that include installing electronic lighting in commercial and government buildings. Millions of electronic ballasts and compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) have been installed. Several cases of new electronic lighting interfering with other appliances have been documented and are being studied by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Power Electronics Applications Center (PEAC). This research will help to determine how appliances interact with radiated and conducted emissions from ballasts. Although these cases do not represent a large percentage of installations, lighting manufacturers have risen to the challenge of identifying design solutions to several of the problems that have been identified.     

Electrical and illumination characteristics of energy-savingfluorescent lighting as a function of potential

Various combinations of F40-T12, F96-T12 and compact energy-savings fluorescent lamps with core-coil and solid-state ballasts were tested at laboratory facilities. The illumination (footcandles), the active (watts) and reactive power consumption, as well as the harmonic content (percentage of the fundamental 60 Hz frequency) of the load current, were measured as a function of varying voltage levels. The electrical parameters showed markedly different characteristics when functionally related to voltage, in comparison to results obtained in 1976 under the same testing conditions. Fluorescent lighting incorporating solid-state ballasts revealed a harmonic content in the measured current larger at most odd multiples of the fundamental frequency than that obtained for lighting systems equipped with core-coil ballasts. Some compact energy-efficient fluorescent lamps with core-coil ballasts exhibited power factor readings as low as 0.50 at the voltage of 120 V. In most cases, strong correlation between illumination and varying voltage levels was not obtained over the range of voltages applied. A trend towards improved lighting efficiency occurred as potential was decreased from the nominal base of 120 V, i.e fc/W increased     

荧光灯模型综述

由于荧光灯具有非线性的特性,荧光灯的模型的建立对荧光灯镇流器的仿真研究是非常必要的。本文在查阅大量文献的基础上,介绍了几种比较典型的荧光灯的模型,包括荧光灯气体放电模型、PSPICE模型、动态模型等,并对这些模型进行了比较。     

The effects of supply harmonics on the performance of compactfluorescent lamps

A performance evaluation of ten compact fluorescent lighting systems operated with sinusoidal and distorted voltage waveform conditions is described. The lamps are provided with either an electronic ballast, a magnetic core ballast, or a magnetic core ballast with a power factor correction circuit. The test results show that the electrical performance of the lamps for both sinusoidal and distorted voltage waveform operation is related to the type of ballast used. The operating cost of these lamps is calculated and compared to the cost of operating a conventional 60 W incandescent lamp     

高压钠灯电子镇流器的研究

阐述了高压灯气体放电的工作特性，分析了高压钠灯电子镇流器的技术要求和实际电路拓扑，研制成功高功率因数250W高压钠灯电子镇流器，给出了试验结果。     

自镇流管形荧光灯管

介绍了自镇流管形荧光灯管的发展进程及生产工艺。目前的自镇流管形荧光灯管只有与采用电感镇流器的涂敷卤磷酸钙荧光粉的灯管相比才有一定的优势,从节能和能源利用的角度来看,自镇流管形荧光灯管还有很大的改进和提高的空间。通过实践发现,光源必须在额定状态下工作才能获得最佳的发光效率,任何降低光源功率的措施,将会降低光源的光效和缩短灯管的使用寿命。     

Ballast-on-a-chip: realistic expectation or technical delusion

This paper presents a discussion by leading ballast companies, about the feasibility and suitability of silicon integration for electronic ballasts. The discussion started with the question about which power transistors were the most suitable for a given application or ballast feature. Then the discussion moved on to optimization of passive components, and of the whole ballast as well, integration level for different market and products, electronic requirements based on lamp data. The next topic started with the assertion that lamp data has to be specified more precisely, if the performance of integrated solutions is to show improvements. The discussion then moved on to the crucial point of lamp performance with regard to the crest factor. Finally a review of the electronic ballasts and the conclusion of the panel discussion is shown.     

Achieving Optimum Performance in a High Pressure Sodium Lighting System

In spite of the many advantages of a high pressure sodium (HPS) lighting system, some problems do exist and compromises must be made. The lighting designer should be thoroughly familiar with the characteristics of all the integral components which make it up, such as lamps, ballasts, starters, luminaires, and poles. The most pertinent characteristics of these components are discussed. By proper selection of various components, they can function well together to achieve an optimum system performance.     

Bright idea, radio-frequency light sources

The idea of radio frequency (RF) lighting, as well as the first RF lamp patent, appeared long before the first fluorescent and high-pressure lamps came onto the market. It took over a century for the first commercial RF lamp to appear, introducing a new era in the production of light. Progress in semiconductor power switching electronics, along with a more thorough understanding of fundamental processes in RF plasmas, have resulted in commercially viable RF light sources. RF light sources follow the same basic principles of converting electrical power into visible radiation as conventional gas discharge lamps. The fundamental difference between RF lamps and conventional lamps is that RF lamps operate without electrodes (anode and cathode). This has profound consequences on RF lamp characteristics and features. We consider different kinds of RF discharges and their advantages and restrictions for lighting applications. We also describe examples of successful realizations of different kinds of RF lamps     

几种照明电器检测装置介绍

照明电器的发展及创新使现场照明设计师们有了更多的选择机会,也能达到更好的照明效果,同时也大幅提高了照明电器的综合能效。但是,每一种产品的发展和创新给人们带来的不全是优点,有时也会带来一些缺点甚至是一些存在明显隐患的缺陷。基于此,照明电器产品的标准也随之不断地修改、充实和完善。一些照明电器的新的检测要求及检测装置也应运而生。作者重点介绍了触发器高压脉冲检测装置、带整体式启动装置的灯用镇流器脉冲试验装置及荧光灯电子镇流器局部整流效应检测装置,供业内人士参考。     

Comparison of Technologies for New Energy-Efficient Lamps

Energy-efficient light bulbs are being developed to replace the incandescent lamp where they can satisfy the design criteria and be used in'sockets that have long hours of annual use. The four technologies discussed include the compact fluorescent lamp, coated-filament lamp, electrodeless fluorescent lamp, and ' compact high-intensity discharge lamp. The systems demonstrate efficacy improvements of two to four times that of their incandescent counterparts. These new lamps have required considerable advances in lamp technology. They offer the potential for achieving efficacies close to 80 Im/W. These new lamps will reduce the energy used annually by incandescent lamps (190 billion kWh) by more than 50 percent in the 1990' s, at which times they will be commonly employed.     

三种电光源生命周期环境影响分析

随着人们环境保护意识的增强,选用的电光源也日益环保。为探明当前市场上存在的三种类别家用电光源的环境性能,采用生命周期评价方法 （LCA）从原材料的选用、制造加工、使用、回收四个阶段分别比较了白炽灯、荧光灯、LED灯对环境的影响。     

背光照明荧光灯的技术进展

随着液晶显示的发展背光照明用荧光灯取得了技术进步。对灯进行了新的设计，包括管径细化、电极改进、加焊吸气剂。采用高频电子镇流器点灯，背光照明的方式有反射板式、导光体（边界）照明、面照明和外光照明等。本文描述背光照明和所用我灯的技术进展。     

HID灯整流效应的研究

大多数高强度气体放电(HID)灯在寿命后期均表现出整流效应,这将导致镇流器及其相关部件过载,必须采取适当的保护措施确保在整流效应出现时照明系统安全。本文首先建立了新型整流效应模拟实验电路,并分析了HID灯在配接不同拓扑结构的镇流器时,整流效应对镇流器带来的影响;然后根据整流效应的发生机理,以SIMULINK/MATLAB为仿真平台,构建了HID灯整流效应的仿真模型,为进一步研究整流效应对照明系统安全性的影响以及制定相应标准起到至关重要的作用;最后提出了整流效应检测及保护方法,设计出具有抗整流效应功能的电子式镇流器     

无极荧光灯替代高压钠灯作为路灯的可行性

结合某钢厂现有路灯照明现状,综合比较了无极荧光灯及高压钠灯的各项技术指标,论述了以无极荧光灯代替高压钠灯的可行性。根据比较得出,无极荧光灯具有有效光效高、维护成本低等特性,替代高压钠灯是经济合理、切实可行的。