A simple method to design resonant circuits of electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A simple design method has been developed to investigate the dimming control of electronic ballast circuits for fluorescent lamps. This method is based on the steady-state calculation of the ballast at resonant frequency, f/sub 0/, and the inherent characteristics of the fluorescent lamp, i.e. the relationship between the lamp resistance and the lamp power. The inherent lamp characteristics encompass the fact that the voltage across the lamp varies with the lamp power. Including this inherent characteristic into a new lamp Spice simulation model can provide an accurate simulation result of the relations between the ballast operation frequency and the lamp power.