Evaluation of Electromagnetic Compatibility of Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL)

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental evaluation of electromagnetic emission of CFLs. The importance of this study derives from the fact that CFLs have been globally adopted and used as an effort towards energy efficiency. The ubiquitous presence of CFLs in every home, calls for the investigation of their integrity with regard to EMC. The approach adopted in this paper was purely experimental. Tests were conducted in the Polytechnic Metrology Center (PMC) of Egypt, an internationally renowned laboratory for conducting EMC test. The tests were done in accordance with the specifications of relevant IEC and CISPR standards. Findings revealed that the tested CFLs passed most of the test including harmonic current emission, radiated electromagnetic disturbances, radiated emission electric field, voltage changes, fluctuation and flicker, voltage dips and short interruption, immunity to electromagnetic RF field 80 MHz-1 GHz and surge immunity. However, the conducted emission test within the range of 9 KHz - 30 MHz failed according to the CISPR 15 standard. This paper suggested the design of special EMI filters to mitigate the conducted emission problem.