EP0327404A1 - Electronic ballast and starter circuit - Google Patents

Electronic ballast and starter circuit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0327404A1
EP0327404A1 EP89301116A EP89301116A EP0327404A1 EP 0327404 A1 EP0327404 A1 EP 0327404A1 EP 89301116 A EP89301116 A EP 89301116A EP 89301116 A EP89301116 A EP 89301116A EP 0327404 A1 EP0327404 A1 EP 0327404A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
parallel elements
lamp
starter circuit
resistive element
parallel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89301116A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Howard Noel Mahomed
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
CENTURY INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Original Assignee
CENTURY INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by CENTURY INTERNATIONAL Ltd filed Critical CENTURY INTERNATIONAL Ltd
Publication of EP0327404A1 publication Critical patent/EP0327404A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/14—Circuit arrangements
    • H05B41/16—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies
    • H05B41/18—Circuit arrangements in which the lamp is fed by dc or by low-frequency ac, e.g. by 50 cycles/sec ac, or with network frequencies having a starting switch
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05B—ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL
    • H05B41/00—Circuit arrangements or apparatus for igniting or operating discharge lamps
    • H05B41/02—Details
    • H05B41/04—Starting switches
    • H05B41/042—Starting switches using semiconductor devices
    • H05B41/044—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes
    • H05B41/046—Starting switches using semiconductor devices for lamp provided with pre-heating electrodes using controlled semiconductor devices

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a ballast and electronic starting circuit for a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp.
  • the present invention provides an electronic ballast for a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp comprising a stabilizer load for series connection with said lamp and an electronic starter circuit for parallel connection with the said lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes of said lamp, said starter circuit comprising 3 parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac, the second of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element in the first of said branches and a capacitive element in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element and a resistive element, wherein said capacitive element of said second branch is connected across the gate of the said triac by means of a diode or diac.
  • the stabilizer load may comprise an inductive element in series with a capacitive element bridged by a resistive element.
  • the electronic ballast of the invention may include a variable resistive element in the second of said parallel elements which acts as a dimmer.
  • the invention also provides an electronic starter circuit for parallel connection with a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes of said lamp, said starter circuit comprising three parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac, the second of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element in the first of said branches and a capacitive element in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element and a resistive element, wherein said capacitive element of said second branch is connected across the gate of the said triac by means of a diode or diac.
  • the Figure shows a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp 1 in place with the ballast and starter circuit of the invention generally designated 2.
  • Stabilizing load 3 is connected in series between the mains voltage 18 (which may include a switch, not shown) and the lamp 1.
  • Stabilizing load 3 consists of an inductive portion 4 and a capacitive portion 5 which latter portion is bridged by resistive element 6.
  • Electronic starter circuit 7 is connected in parallel with the lamp 1 and in series with the heater electrodes designated 8 and 9 respectively.
  • Starter circuit 7 consists of 3 parallel elements:
  • Voltage divider 11 is connected to gate 16 of triac 10 by means of diode or diac 17.
  • circuits as shown in Figure 1 for operation on 120 volts a.c. at 60 hertz with a 4 foot 60 watt fluorescent lamp has the following components: inductors 1 0.27 henry capacitors 5 6 micro f 13 333 micro f resistors 6 750 k ohms 12 750 k ohms 14 47 k ohms triac 10 diac 17 diode 15 In4004
  • the above-mentioneed components have the following values: inductors 1 0.27 henry capacitors 5 5 micro f 13 0.033 micro f resistors 6 750 k ohms 12 680 k ohms 14 47 k ohms triac 10 1 amp 600V piv diac 17 st-2 diode 15 In4004
  • resistor 12 may be variable in order to provide a dimming effect.

Landscapes

  • Circuit Arrangements For Discharge Lamps (AREA)

Abstract

An electronic ballast (2) for a low pressure discharge lamp (1) has a stabilizer load (3) for series connection with said lamp and an electronic starter circuit (7) for parallel connection with the said lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes (8, 9) of said lamp. The starter circuit (7) has three parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac (10), the second (11) of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element (12) in the first of said branches and a capacitive element (13) in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element (15) and a resistive element (14). The capacitive element (13) of said second branch is connected across the gate (16) of the said triac (10) by means of a diode or diac (17).

Description

  • This invention relates to a ballast and electronic starting circuit for a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp.
  • Previous starting circuits have been overly complex and thus are expensive to manufacture and consume excess power in relation to the amount of light delivered by the lamp.
  • It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified electronic starter circuit by which a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp is started quickly and reliably in which the starting of the lamp causes reliable prevention of further starting attempts. It is a further object that the current drawn by the starter should be low and the starting voltage high so that the stabilizing load may be minimized thereby providing a low power loss, less heat, less magnetic field effect and relatively more available power for light output.
  • Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved low pressure discharge tube ballast and electronic starter circuit.
  • The present invention provides an electronic ballast for a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp comprising a stabilizer load for series connection with said lamp and an electronic starter circuit for parallel connection with the said lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes of said lamp, said starter circuit comprising 3 parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac, the second of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element in the first of said branches and a capacitive element in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element and a resistive element, wherein said capacitive element of said second branch is connected across the gate of the said triac by means of a diode or diac.
  • Preferably the stabilizer load may comprise an inductive element in series with a capacitive element bridged by a resistive element.
  • Also the electronic ballast of the invention may include a variable resistive element in the second of said parallel elements which acts as a dimmer.
  • The invention also provides an electronic starter circuit for parallel connection with a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes of said lamp, said starter circuit comprising three parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac, the second of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element in the first of said branches and a capacitive element in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element and a resistive element, wherein said capacitive element of said second branch is connected across the gate of the said triac by means of a diode or diac.
  • By way of example only, a specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of electronic ballast and starter circuit in accordance with the present invention.
  • Referring to the drawing, the Figure shows a low pressure discharge lamp such as a fluorescent lamp 1 in place with the ballast and starter circuit of the invention generally designated 2.
  • Stabilizing load 3 is connected in series between the mains voltage 18 (which may include a switch, not shown) and the lamp 1. Stabilizing load 3 consists of an inductive portion 4 and a capacitive portion 5 which latter portion is bridged by resistive element 6.
  • Electronic starter circuit 7 is connected in parallel with the lamp 1 and in series with the heater electrodes designated 8 and 9 respectively. Starter circuit 7 consists of 3 parallel elements:
    • 1) firstly, triac 10, and
    • 2) secondly, voltage divider 11 comprising resistive element 12 and capacitor 13, and
    • 3) thirdly, resistor 14 and diode 15.
  • Voltage divider 11 is connected to gate 16 of triac 10 by means of diode or diac 17.
  • One example of a circuit as shown in Figure 1 for operation on 120 volts a.c. at 60 hertz with a 4 foot 60 watt fluorescent lamp has the following components:
    inductors 1 0.27 henry
    capacitors
    5 6 micro f
    13 333 micro f
    resistors
    6 750 k ohms
    12 750 k ohms
    14 47 k ohms
    triac
    10
    diac 17
    diode 15 In4004
  • In an alternative arrangement, the above-mentioneed components have the following values:
    inductors 1 0.27 henry
    capacitors
    5 5 micro f
    13 0.033 micro f
    resistors
    6 750 k ohms
    12 680 k ohms
    14 47 k ohms
    triac
    10 1 amp 600V piv
    diac
    17 st-2
    diode 15 In4004
  • In another embodiment resistor 12 may be variable in order to provide a dimming effect.
  • Additionally, additional light intensity can be achieved by increasing the value of capacitor 5.
  • Although the invention has been described with reference to particular illustrative circuits, it will be understood that further variations and modifications are possible within the inventive concept.

Claims (5)

1. An electronic ballast (2) for a low pressure discharge lamp (1) comprising a stabilizer load (3) for series connection with said lamp and an electronic starter circuit (7) for parallel connection with the said lamp and for series connection with the heater electrodes (8, 9) of said lamp, said starter circuit (7) comprising three parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac (10),the second (11) of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element (12) in the first of said branches and a capacitive element (13) in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element (15) and a resistive element (14), wherein said capacitive element (13) of said second branch is connected across the gate (16) of the said triac (10) by means of a diode or diac (17).
2. An electronic ballast as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stabilizer load (3) comprises an inductive element (4) in series with a capacitive element (5) bridged by a resistive element (6).
3. An electronic ballast as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resistive element (12) in the second of said parallel elements (11) is a variable resistive element.
4. An electronic starter circuit (7) for parallel connection with a low pressure discharge lamp (1) and for series connection with the heater electrodes (8, 9) of said lamp, said starter circuit (7) comprising three parallel elements, the first of said parallel elements comprising a triac (10), the second (11) of said parallel elements comprising a twin branch voltage divider with a resistive element (12) in the first of said branches and a capacitive element (13) in the second of said branches, the third of said parallel elements comprising a series connection of a diode element (15) and a resistive element (14), wherein said capacitive element (13) of said second branch is connected across the gate (16) of the said triac (10) by means of a diode or diac (17).
5. An electronic starter circuit as claimed in claim 4, wherein the resistive element (12) in the second of said three parallel elements (11) is a variable resistive element.
EP89301116A 1988-02-04 1989-02-06 Electronic ballast and starter circuit Withdrawn EP0327404A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA558113 1988-02-04
CA558113 1988-02-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0327404A1 true EP0327404A1 (en) 1989-08-09

Family

ID=4137386

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89301116A Withdrawn EP0327404A1 (en) 1988-02-04 1989-02-06 Electronic ballast and starter circuit

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0327404A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0437908A1 (en) * 1989-09-07 1991-07-24 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Electronic capacitive ballast for fluorescent and other discharge lamps

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4145638A (en) * 1975-05-20 1979-03-20 Nec Sylvania Corporation Discharge lamp lighting system using series connected starters
FR2441990A1 (en) * 1978-11-17 1980-06-13 Lampes Sa Fluorescent tube firing circuit - has triac fired to draw DC heating current through tube electrodes and ceases operation once tube fires or fails
US4406976A (en) * 1981-03-30 1983-09-27 501 Advance Transformer Company Discharge lamp ballast circuit

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4145638A (en) * 1975-05-20 1979-03-20 Nec Sylvania Corporation Discharge lamp lighting system using series connected starters
FR2441990A1 (en) * 1978-11-17 1980-06-13 Lampes Sa Fluorescent tube firing circuit - has triac fired to draw DC heating current through tube electrodes and ceases operation once tube fires or fails
US4406976A (en) * 1981-03-30 1983-09-27 501 Advance Transformer Company Discharge lamp ballast circuit

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0437908A1 (en) * 1989-09-07 1991-07-24 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Electronic capacitive ballast for fluorescent and other discharge lamps

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