• ATCO Controls India

Ballasts

High intensity discharge lamps all require a current limiting device to control lamp current. Ballasts work on the self-inductance principle. The impedance of the ballast is set to match the arc voltage of the particular lamp, which ensures that the correct current is supplied. In some cases a ballast can be used for more than one type of lamp, but a lamp should never be used with any ballast other than the correct one. Also any supply voltage or frequency variation will affect the optimum performance, so the ballast type with the correct nominal values should be used in these circumstances. Optimum performance: this is achieved by careful control of the main parameters. The tight tolerances used in manufacture ensure that the impedance is the correct value to provide the correct lamp current, wattage and luminous flux. Minimum power losses: HID lamps are very efficient but high energy losses in an inefficient ballast has a dramatic effect on the overall efficiency of the lighting system. An inefficient ba