Study of the Harmonic Analysis of the High-Intensity Discharge Lamps

Abstract

The high-intensity discharge (HID) lamp, mainly the high-pressure sodium vapor lamp and the MH lamp are the most common lamps used in public lighting purposes in Indian context, despite of the fact that uses of light emitting diodes are becoming common nowadays. The aim of this paper is to study the harmonic content in these high-power lighting networks. These light sources have been chosen because of their high power and another component, known as the igniter, which is connected to the circuit and whose effect can be studied. The study presented in this paper is completely based on measurements, including the harmonic analysis. Different combinations of ballasts and lamps have been chosen to perform the experiment. The main results show that high-pressure sodium vapour (SON) lamps have a much higher harmonic content in the lamp voltage and supply current waveforms as compared to the metal halide (MH) lamps. Results also indicate that lamp voltage harmonic contains significant amount of higher order harmonics, and its waveform is much distorted than the supply current or the ballast waveform. Furthermore, the percent of total harmonic distortion (THD) content is higher. These results will guide the future designer to select a light source from the point of view of the harmonic content in the lamp voltage, ballast voltage, and the supply current.