A simple electronic starter capable of end-of-life protection for fluorescent lamps

Abstract

A simple circuit of an electronic starter for fluorescent lamps is proposed which enables single-pulse ignition and safe-guarded re-striking features. It is possible to protect a switching device from overheating due to repeated restriking at the end of lamp life. Furthermore, recovered ignition is possible through an optimum selection of circuit parameters. These advanced features can be simultaneously obtained with an addition of a simple R-C timer circuit into a re-striking circuit. So, a practical and reliable electronic starter can be achieved with a minimal cost. Experimental results on its performance show that MOSFET switching with a half-wave preheating current can ignite a fluorescent lamp of 20/spl sim/40 W within 0.5 s on 220 V mains voltage. During the switching endurance test performed over 30000 cycles no blackening of a lamp nor burn-out of the starter has been reported.