The 257xR ballast analyzers have been adopted by ballast/lighting manufacturers worldwide because of their greatly enhanced technological capabilities, greatly reduced setup and maintenance requirements, and low cost of ownership. The analyzer is available in one, two, three, or four lamp/ballast configurations (2571R, 2572R, 2573R, and 2574R).

With the 2574R, up to four tubes and four ballasts can be tested in a fraction of a second for every key parameter, including peak inrush, striking and light efficiency (when used with a light monitor). With a capacity of 2,000 measurements per second on each of up to 30 signals, the only limitation to testing throughput is the speed of your production line.

The 257xR can be used in stand alone or computer controlled environments. It allows the user to simultaneously measure all pins on all tubes plus line input with independent output measurements, 13 voltages and 13 currents, (i.e. independent tube V and I measurement, independent filament V and I, for each tube that is configured plus line input V and I). Continuous sampling at up to 2 Msps ensures that even the shortest transient events are measured.

The 257xR operates in either a General Purpose or Test Sequence mode. In General Purpose mode, the user can view numeric measurements for virtually every possible ballast input and output parameter, graphical displays of most parameters over periods of seconds to 10 days, graphical measurements of startup parameters including strike levels and filament parameters, plus all starup timing information. In Test Sequence mode the analyzer runs automated user-defined test sequences and measures against user-defined maximum and minimum limits providing PASS/FAIL results in a couple of seconds.

• Displays all relevant ballast input/output measurements on a single screen

• Can completely test a ballast in less than 100 ms

• Fully automatic ballast start-up and tube striking detection to 5kV

• Results displayed graphically or numerically with down to 1 ms time resolution

• IEEE488 (GPIB) control of AC sources for single-user interface

• Wide bandwidth, ballast output frequencies to 2 MHz

• Every signal is monitored continuously with 12-bit, 2 MHz sampling

• Print comprehensive test reports in semi-automatic test environment from built-in printer interface, or record in engineering environment

• Automatic test sequencing and complete comparison of measurements vs. limits, including selection of different 1500 series load modules and engagement of 1500 series line switch modules. No computer or user software required

• Graphical startup profiling with time sequencing

• Graphical historical measurements

• Supports magnetic, instant/rapid start fluorescent, HID < 5kV pk, compact, high frequency, and hybrid ballasts, plus LED inverters

• Test Summary Screen designated for the production floor environment, can display either a large PASS/FAIL or, upon query, can show up to 3 pass/fail faults

• Complete test systems available including XiTRON 1500 series load chassis, line switches, and a wide variety of fixed or programmable resistive load cards for simulating lamps