High Frequency Ballasts in Fluorescent Lighting
A ballast for a fluorescent lamp has two primary functions: Provide high initial voltage to start the lamp; and regulate lamp current during operation. Common electronic ballasts convert 60-Hz line voltage into a much higher frequency; 20 – 120KHz. The primary advantage of high-frequency fluorescent lighting is the improvement of efficacy,as also reducing lamp flicker that is sometimes associated with low-frequency ballast, as the lamp phosphors are refreshed more often.
A ballast for a fluorescent lamp has two primary functions:
- Provide high initial voltage to start the lamp
- Regulate lamp current during operation
Common electronic ballasts convert 60-Hz line voltage into a much higher frequency; 20 – 120KHz. With the advent of highly efficient electronic ballast, the fluorescent lighting industry is rapidly progressing toward high-frequency operation of fluorescent lamps. The primary advantage of high-frequency fluorescent lighting is the improvement of efficacy relative to lighting systems with 60Hz magnetic ballast. High-frequency operation also reduces the possibility of perceptible lamp flicker that is sometimes associated with low-frequency ballast, as the lamp phosphors are refreshed more often.
Dimmable ballasts save energy, and so money, due to decreasing power consumption during the dimming operation. Microcontrollers help to perform the dim function in a lamp with no extra components, thus cost.
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