Analysis of ride through capability of low-wattage fluorescent lamps during voltage sags

This paper presents a comparative investigation on the sensitivity of various lowwattage fluorescent lamps (FLs) used in residential and commercial lighting, during voltage sags. Based on recent testing standards and utilizing a modern industrial power corrupter and advanced photometer, extensive tests were conducted for many FLs with different ballast types. For predefined malfunction criterion of zero illuminance condition, sag depth and duration are varied to construct individual voltage immunity curves. The different ballast technologies adopted in driving the FLs seem to play a vital role in riding through in the event of voltage sag. The experimental results of tested FLs show that the lamp with electromagnetic ballast is more sensitive to voltage sags than that of the lamps equipped with electronic ballasts. Finally a method to improve the sensitivity of electronically ballasted FLs to voltage sags is implemented. This technique increases the holdup time of the dc bus voltage by connecting additional dc capacitance at the rectifier output of the ballast circuit. Details results of three 18 Watt FLs with different ballast types are presented for illustration purpose. Copyright © 2006 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. All rights reserved

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