Electronic Ballasts for HID Lamps Reduce System Costs, Magnify Performance Advantages

Abstract

Electronic ballast technology is certainly not new to the lighting industry. Because of their dimming capabilities and lamp lumen output improvements, electronic ballasts have been successfully utilized with fluorescent lamps for a number of years. Until recently, the technology was also available for use with low wattage, high intensity discharge (HID) lamps. Now electronic ballast technology is available for luminaires with high wattage conventional and pulse start metal halide lamps, offering a range of cost-saving and performance advantages. Lamp lumen maintenance is improved so significantly that a major lamp manufacturer- based on tests conducted with a specific electronic ballast-is offering an improved lumen depreciation warranty when its lamps are operated with this particular ballast. Improved lamp performance can reduce the required number of luminaires by up to 30 percent, resulting in substantial savings relative to energy consumption and system maintenance. As an added benefit, the new electronic ballasts enhance the comfort level within an environment by providing flicker-free illumination, silent operation, and improved color stability, which are especially important in retail areas and manufacturing facilities with rotating equipment and assembly operations. Continuous dimming capabilities allow facilities to take advantage of photosensors and other proportional controllers to further reduce their operating costs.