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AN0012 Electronic Lighting Ballasts

From Syfer Technology Limited
 

 
All fluorescent lamps require a ballast to provide the electrical power to preheat the lamp electrodes, strike the lamp, provide the running power and control the discharge current. This can be achieved by either electromagnetic or high frequency electronic ballasts. With the introduction of new regulations in 2005 covering the European Union, USA and Japan, the use of the older electromagnetic ballasts will no longer be permitted, apart from repairing older systems until 2010. High frequency electronic ballasts provide increased luminous flux from the fluorescent lamp and negate the need for a starter, thus saving energy and costs. With more manufacturers of high frequency electronic ballasts converting to low cost surface mount capacitors, for use in the snubber circuit of the ballast, Syfer Technology Ltd has introduced a range of capacitors specifically intended for this application. This range is available in the popular 1206 case size and is manufactured from the stable COG/NPO dielectric. This is particularly suitable for the ballast operating frequencies of 20KHz to 100KHz.

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Topics of Interest
J. Marcos Alonso, Ph.D., University of Oviedo, DIEECS-Tecnologia Electronica, Campus de Viesques s/n, Edificio de Electronica, 33204 Gijon, Asturias,Spain 22.1 Introduction Electronic... (Read More)
16.1 Why High-Frequency Power Sources? High-frequency power sources for fluorescent lamps represent an enormously high-volume market for the technique of switching power supplies. This may be... (Read More)
Before a fluorescent lamp lights or the arc is struck, it has high impedance as there are few current carriers. It takes a high voltage— Vns, the nominal striking voltage—to light the... (Read More)
Electrodes in a fluorescent lamp are driven by an AC voltage—60 Hz with a magnetic ballast and 20 to 40 kHz for an electronic ballast. Thus throughout a cycle, each end of the lamp is... (Read More)
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