ENERGY-EFFICIENT

FLUORESCENT BALLASTS
APAS, AD
 LAMP BALLASTS
• To generate light output of a fluorescent lamp, a
control gear generally known as “ballast” is needed
to provide sufficient voltage for start-up across the
end electrodes of the lamp, to maintain constant
current during steady state operation of the lamp,
and to maintain stable voltage across the lamp
during supply voltage fluctuations.
 TYPES OF FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLASTS

(a) Electromagnetic Ballast

also known as "core-and-coil ballasts",
"choke ballast", "conventional ballast" and
"ferromagnetic ballast". They use a heavy
magnetic core of several laminated steel
plates wrapped with copper windings.
These types of ballasts are inexpensive to
manufacture. The electromagnetic type
of ballast is the predominantly use ballast
in the country.
(b) Energy Efficient
Electromagnetic Ballast (Low Loss
Ballast)

Low loss ballasts contain a

magnetic core of several laminated
high grade (usually silicon) steel
plates, wrapped with high-grade
copper windings.
(c) Cathode-Disconnect Ballast

Cathode-disconnect ballasts are also known as "hybrid ballasts", "low-

frequency electronic ballasts", and "filament cutout ballasts". These
ballasts use magnetic core and coil transformer and an electronic switch
for electrode-heating circuit. The electrode-heating circuit disconnects
after the lamp starts.
(d) High Frequency Electronic Ballast

Electronic ballasts, also called "solid-state ballasts" operate fluorescent

lamps at frequencies above 20 kHz using electronic switching power
supply circuits.
Electronic high-frequency ballasts increase lamp-ballast efficacy, leading
to increased energy efficiency of the fixture and lower operating costs.
Electronic ballast converts the 60Hz input frequency to above 20kHz to
the lamp circuit. Electronic ballast that operates at high frequency
increases lamp efficacy by 10% to 15% compared to 60Hz operation
Starting Requirements

To attain the most efficient lamp ballast combination it is recommended that

the ballast can start the lamp successfully at rated starting voltage and
current.

PNS IEC 60081: 2006 (IEC published 2002) provides complete data for each
lamp and the required ballast for each corresponding lamp. This same
standard provides the required starting voltage and current for each lamp
type.
Operating Requirements

When lamps are successfully started, the economical and optimum utilization
is not guaranteed if the required operating voltage and current are not
maintained.

PNS IEC 60081: 2006 (IEC published 2002) provides the data for proper lamp
and ballast matching. The new generations of lamps are not covered under
this standard, which makes it more difficult to make proper matching of lamp
and ballast.
Lamp and Ballast Wattage Compatibility

1. To attain optimum lamp and ballast operation the lamp

wattage should always match with the ballast wattage
rating.
2. Lamp wattage and lamp starting requirement must always
be matched to ensure optimum lamp and ballast operation
 PRE-
HEAT
LAMP

NORMAL
OPERATION
PRE-
HEAT
BALLAST
Direct Lamp Change over using the Existing Installed
Ballast

• Care must be taken when an attempt to change T12 40W lamp with
T8 36W lamp using the existing installed ballast.

Most ballasts in old buildings are designed to operate T12 40W lamp
and most of these were manufactured even before T8 36W were
introduced to the market. Meaning, most of these (old installed ballast)
are not designed to operate T8 36W lamps.
Efficient and Cost-Effective Lamp and Ballast
Changeover

To attain optimum lamp and ballast operation from the

change over of 40W lamp to 36W lamp, it is recommended
that well designed 36W electronic ballast should to be used.
Types of Conventional Ballasts and their Associated Starting
Methods

 Preheat
This is also called switch start ballast. All ballasts that
operate in this mode are electromagnetic ballasts.
 Instant Start Ballasts

Instant start ballasts start the lamps by supplying high

voltage (usually above 400V) to the lamp electrodes without
preheating resulting to forced discharge. The high voltage
applied across the lamps typically ignites them within 50
milliseconds. Electrodes are not preheated during starting
which greatly reduce the service life of the lamp, which is
inversely proportional to the number of starts (more starting
reduces lamp life).
 Rapid Start

Rapid start ballasts ignite lamps by providing cathode

voltage (approximately 3.6 volts) and voltage across the lamp
simultaneously.
OTHER TYPES OF BALLASTS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED STARTING
METHODS