Two test way for High Frequency Adjustable Reference Ballast（25KHz）

    With the popularity of LED lights, the traditional energy-saving lamps and fluorescent lamps will out of the market. But in these years of the transition period, energy-saving lamps and fluorescent lamps still occupy the mainstream in some areas. Same with LED lights in basic components, the complete energy saving lamps also consist of lamp (light source), electronic ballasts and fixture (shell), the quality of electronic ballast which one of the most important part almost decide the life of energy saving lamp, the T5 lamp tube applied with high-frequency reference ballast (25KHz) is the most common in market. How to measuring high-frequency electronic ballasts become important, in order to slove this issue, the IEC (International Electro technical Commission) to made the relevant testing standards are mainly IEC60081 (double capped fluorescent lamps testing requirements) and IEC60901 (single-ended fluorescent test requirements). At the same time according to the actual situation, there is another IEC equivalent test method.

To make sure meet IEC test requirements, Lisun developed High Frequency Adjustable Reference Ballast Test System which consist of HFP-300(High Reference Power Supply)+RB-2(Adjustable Resistance Ballast)+LPS-1(Lamp Preheat Assistant Source). The HFP-300 High Frequency Adjustable Reference Ballast Test System is fully meet IEC60081 and IEC60901 test requirements, the working principle as below:

    IEC60081 specifies the test method of double capped fluorescent lamps, IEC60901 specifies the test method of single capped fluorescent lamps. The IEC standard required test methods and instruments connection as above Figure. As we known that the function of adjustable reference ballast is selecting reference lamp (tube), and the characteristics of reference ballast have stable voltage and current based on rated frequency, without affect by voltages and ambient temperature changes. The RB-2 Adjustable Resistance Ballast applied with no sense of resistance ballast; the HFP-300 High Reference Power Supply provide pure and high frequency output power source to adjustable resistance ballast; the last part is LPS-1 Lamp Preheat Assistant Source. The technical characteristics of HFP-300 and RB-2 are fully meet IEC standards requirement, please refer the details technical parameters on the IEC60081 and IEC60901 standards. The HFP-300+RB-2+LPS-1 is provide the standard test environmental to test reference lamp(tube) under meeting IEC standards. Due to this system is based on IEC standards, so the price is little higher which main customer is national lab, third party test lab and some manufactures.

    Considering the economic benefits and costs of testing, Lisun developed another instrument HCS-105A Adjustable High Frequency Ballast. Compared with IEC recommend test way, HCS-105A used with equivalent test method(Constant current test method). The test principle as below:

    HCS-105A has two functions: one is high frequency ballast; second is high frequency digital power meter. As above picture show, after we connected instrument with test samples, high frequency constant power source will output high voltage to start test lamp (tube), high frequency constant power source output frequency range is 20KHz-26KHz, it can provide continuously adjustable current 100mA-500mA. The obvious disadvantage of IEC equivalent test method(constant current test method) is high frequency constant power source will output internal impedance, and mass output impedance will cover normal electronic parameters of test standard lamp(tube), the accuracy tolerance around 5%-30%. This system is main for small test lab and tube manufactures.