Discharge lamp with starting current limiting series circuit - has integrated module fitting in socket switching current on and off via feedback pulse

摘要

The series circuit for a gas discharge lamp limits the starting current. It can be constructed as a module and fitted in a relatively small socket of the discharge lamp. It is an improvement on the current limited choke as regards weight and volume. The main connections (3, 4) are connected to a suppressor (5) of modular construction. The compressor feeds a rectifier bridge (8) which supplies a semiconductor switch (11), which is controlled by pulses from a control module (15). The current in the discharge lamp is limited by periodically switching the current on and off. This is performed by the semiconductor switch which is controlled by a feedback circuit supplying pulses. The control pulses are derived from a sensor attached to the tube. The operating conditions are typically 350 volts. 0.3 to 1.0 amp, and a frequency of 1 MHz.