Electronic ballasts for exterior luminaries/signs
Installation recommendation:
In external applications the ballasts should be protected against water & dust. Also the temperature must be observed.
The EMC characteristics are not dependant on an interior or exterior application.
Possible ways to achieve this are:
- Ballast is designed and built with the required IP rating ( IP67 )
- Luminaire/sign conforms to IP rating for the prevention of ingress of water, moisture & particles.
- Protection of the components inside the luminaire/sign against water condensation
Solution:
TridonicAtco ballasts are generally designed for inbuilding into exterior luminaries.
We suggest as a matter of good practice that additional protection is strongly recommended. It is also dependant on the design of the luminaire/sign.
Special care must be taken when fixing ballast’s and or gear trays into the luminaire. We would advise the fixing back-tray to stand off from the surface area, thus avoiding any water ingress coming into contact with the housing.
It is also very important to ensure no water can drip down directly onto the ballast. This can be achieved by fixing a protective cover/shield over the ballast or gear tray.
Where cable is directly wired into ballast terminals, ballasts could fail if water runs down along the wires and into the ballast. Additional protection can be achieved by applying a silicon seal into the terminal connections after wiring.
| Switchstart |
High Frequency |
|
| Lamp Frequency |
50Hz – mains frequency thus the lamp can sometimes be perceived to be flickering |
42kHz – High frequency – peripheral flicker is eliminated thus giving greater visual comfort |
| External Started Required |
Yes - a starter per lamp is necessary to initiate the lamps operation. This is electro mechanical device and several strikes may be necessary before the lamp will operate |
No – Ignition is generated within the ballast. High Frequency electronic ballast give a defined warmstart to the lamp thus ensuring that the electrodes are correctly heated prior to the ignition impulse. Lamps will strike without flashing. This reduces wear on the lamp cathode thus ensuring greater life of the lamp . |
| PF not less than 0.85 lagging |
Switchstart circuits operate at 30 –50% efficiency. Power factor correction can be employed via fitment of a capacitor to improve the circuit power factor. |
High frequency electronic ballasts are 95 – 99% power factor efficient |
| Radio Interference Capacitor |
NO - This component is not integral to any magnetic product & would have to be added as a separate item to the circuit. |
All Tridonic HF ballasts meet the requirements of EN 55015 for RFI. Some Tridonic HF ballasts also meet the voluntary EN 55022 standard for RFI above 30Mhz. |
| Switchstart circuits have relatively high losses in comparison to electronic HF ballasts. Typical CELMA classification of B1 – C. |
The high frequency operation of the lamp generates a 10% saving in the lamp operating wattage for the same luminous flux. The ballasts have reduced power losses (@ 10% of lamp wattage). In all the use of HF ballasts can give up to 30% saving against switchstart control gear. CELMA classification of A2 – A3. |
|
| Control Gear non-current consuming in the event of tube failure. |
NO - Tridonic magnetic products have no integral current sensitive protection. |
All Tridonic HF ballasts have a shutdown feature in the event of lamp failure/defect in accordance with EN 60 928. |
| Constant Power |
No- any fluctuation in the mains voltage would be seen in the output of the lamp. |
Tridonic HF ballasts use ASIC technology thus ensuring precise control of the lamp. Constant power and light is guaranteed in the range of 198v – 254v. |
| Weight |
Switchstart chokes are copper iron devices and have relatively high weights |
HF electronic ballasts have a low weight. |
| Multi Lamp Operation | No – in most cases (apart from a few low wattage TCS/TCD & T5 lamps), one choke and starter is required per lamp. |
Yes – Tridonic HF ballasts are available in single lamp, twin lamp and in the case of 18w T8, 36w T8 and 14w T5 – 3 & 4 lamp variants. |