ELECTRONIC BALLAST HAVING A BI-FUNCTIONAL CONTROL INPUT AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING AT LEAST ONE LIGHTING MEANS

摘要

An electronic ballast for operating an illuminant includes a control input for coupling to a control device designed to act as a current sink in a continuous control operation. The electronic ballast is designed to supply, in the continuous control operation, a current to the control device such that a DC voltage is generated at the control input within a predetermined value range. The electronic ballast is also designed to control a driver circuit for the at least one illuminant such that a power correlated to the DC voltage at the control input, in the continuous control operation, is supplied at the output of said electronic ballast. The electronic ballast is designed to switch at least the driver circuit on or off when in a switching operation and when a voltage pulse applied across the control input lies outside of the predefinable value range in the continuous control operation.

主权项

1. An Electronic ballast for operating at least one illuminant comprising:
a control input having a first and a second input terminal for coupling to a control device which is designed in a continuous control mode to function as a current sink; wherein the electronic ballast is designed to provide a control current to the control device in the continuous mode, so that a direct voltage is generated in a settable value range at the control input; and an output for connecting the at least one illuminant; wherein the electronic ballast is designed to drive a driver circuit for the at least one illuminant such that a power is provided at the output of the electronic ballast which is correlated to the DC voltage applied at the control input in a continuous control mode; wherein the electronic ballast is further designed to switch on or off at least the driver circuit in a switching mode when applying a voltage pulse to the control input, which is outside the settable value range in a continuous.