Presentation of the inductive electronic ballast

Marc Villez, SOGEXI

Keywords

technology, street lighting, electronic ballast, public lighting, efficiency, equipment, control gear, high pressure sodium, metal halide, R&D

Abstract

This paper describes the technology behind inductive electronic ballasts used to run high-pressure sodium lamps and metal-halide lamps. Inductive electronic ballasts replace traditional control gears to operate such lamps, and in doing so, it offers long-term energy savings and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Inductive ballasts also enable electronic dimming, allowing to up to 60 % reduction in energy consumption. The inductive ballast described in this paper has a power factor of 1.0 with nearly no electromagnetic pollution on networks. The ballast further provides galvanic insulation from the main. The risk of electric shocks is avoided and maintenance is reduced (no risk for general short circuit or earth leakage). Automatic regulation of the lamp feeding will maintain constant light output as well as longer lamp lifetime.

Two large outdoor lighting installations in France are already equipped with inductive electronic ballasts.