The luminescent lamp (LL) is a glass tube filled with inert gas (AR, NE, KR) with the addition of a small amount of mercury. At the ends of the tube there are metal electrodes for supplying a voltage, the electric field of which leads to a breakdown of gas, the occurrence of the glow discharge and the appearance of an electric current in the chain. Gas discharge glow discharge of a pale blue shade, in the visible light range is very weak.

But as a result of the electrical discharge, most of the energy goes into an invisible, ultraviolet range, whose quanta, falling into phosphorus-containing compositions (luminophore coatings) cause glow in the visible region of the spectrum. Changing the chemical composition of the phosphor, get different colors of the glow: For lamps of daylight (LDS), various shades of white are developed, and for lighting in decorative purposes, you can choose a lamp of another color. Invention and mass release luminescent lamps - This is a step forward compared to ineffective incandescent lamps.

Why do you need ballast?

The current in the gas discharge is growing avalanche-like, which leads to a sharp drop of resistance. In order for the fluorescent lamp electrodes, the additional load, which limits the current, the so-called ballaborator, consistently turns on the overheating. Sometimes the term choke is used to designate it.

Two types of ballaboards are used: electromagnetic and electronic. Electromagnetic ballast has a classic, transformer configuration: copper wire, Metal plates. Electronic Ballasters (Electronic Ballast) use electronic components: diodistrators, dyntorators, transistors, chips.

For the initial ignition (start) discharge in the lamp in electromagnetic devices, the starter is additionally used - starter. In the electronic version of the ballast unit, this feature is implemented within the framework of the Unified electrical circuit. The device is obtained light, compact and combined with a single term - electronic port-regulating machine (EPR). The mass use of EPR for luminescent lamps is due to the following advantages:

• these devices are compact, have a small weight;
• lamps turn on quickly, but at the same time smoothly;
• the lack of flickering and noise from vibration, since the EPR operates at a high frequency (dozens of kHz), in contrast to electromagnetic, operating from network voltage with a frequency of 50 Hz;
• reduced heat losses;
• electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps has the value of the power factor to 0.95;
• the presence of several, proven protection types, which increase the safety of use and extend the service life.

Electronic ballast schemes for luminescent lamps

EPR is an electronic board styled by electronic components. Schematic scheme Inclusion (Fig. 1) and one of the variants of the ballast circuit (Fig. 2) are shown in the pictures.

Luminescent Lamp, C1 and C2 - Capacitors

Electronic ballasts can have a different scheme implementing solution depending on the components applied. The straightening of the voltage is made by VD4-VD7 diodes and is further filtered by the C1 capacitor. After supplying the voltage, the C4 capacitor begins. At the level of 30, the CD1 dynistor makes his way and the T2 transistor opens, then the autogenerator on the T1, T2 transistor and the TR1 transformer is turned into operation. The resonant frequency of the serial circuit from C2, C3 capacitors, the L1 choke and the generator is close in size (45-50 kHz). Resonance mode is required for sustainable scheme operation. When the voltage on the C3 condenser reaches the launch value, the lamp is lit. In this case, the regulating frequency of the generator and voltage is reduced, and the choke limits the current.

Repair EPR.

In the absence of the possibility of rapid replacement of the era, you can try to repair the ballaborator on your own. To do this, select the following sequence of actions to troubleshoot:

• to begin with, the integrity of the fuse is checked. This breakdown is often found due to overload (overvoltage) in the network of 220 volts;
• next, a visual inspection of electronic components is performed: diodes, resistors, transistors, capacitors, transformers, chokes;
• in case of detection of the characteristic reference of the part or boards, the repair is made by replacing the serviceable element. How to check your hands a faulty diode or transistor, having an ordinary multimeter in stock, it is well known to any user with technical education;
• it may turn out that the cost of the replacement parts will be higher or comparable to the value of the new EPR. In this case, it is better not to spend time on the repair, and pick up the replacement close by parameters.

EPRA for compact lds

Relatively recently began to be widely used in everyday luminescent energy-saving lamps adapted to standard cartridges for simple incandescent lamps - E27, E14, E40. In these devices, electronic ballasts are inside the cartridge, so the repair of these EPRs is theoretically possible, but in practice it is easier to buy a new lamp.

The photo shows an example of such an OSRAM brand lamp, with a power of 21 watts. It should be noted that at present the positions of this innovative technology gradually occupy similar lamps with LED sources. Semiconductor technology, continuously improving, allows a rapid pace to achieve the price of LDS, the cost of which remains almost unchanged.

Fluorescent lamps T8.

T8 lamps have a glass flask diameter 26 mm. Widely used lamps T10 and T12 have diameters 31.7 and 38 mm, respectively. For lamps, plots are usually used with a capacity of 18 W. T8 lamps do not lose performance when the supply voltage jumps, but when the voltage decreases, more than 10%, the ignition of the lamp is not guaranteed. The ambient temperature also affects the reliability of the T8 LDS. At minus temperatures, the light stream is reduced, and malfunctions may occur. T8 lamps have a service life from 9,000 to 12,000 hours.

How to make a lamp do it yourself?

Make the simplest lamp of two lamps as follows:

• choose suitable in color temperatures (white shade) of the lamp of 36 W;
• we make the case from a material that will not ignore. You can use the case from the old lamp. We select the EPR to this power. On the labeling should be the designation 2 x 36;
• we select to lamps 4 cartridges with marking G13 (the gap between the electrodes is 13 mm), the mounting wire and self-tapping screw;
• cartridges must be fixed on the housing;
• the installation site of the EPR is chosen from the considerations of minimizing heating from working lamps;
• cartridges are connected to LDS bodies;
• to protect lamps from mechanical exposure, it is desirable to establish a transparent or matte protective cap;
• the lamp is fixed on the ceiling and connects to 220 V.

Ballast for gas-discharge lamp (luminescent light sources) is used to ensure normal working conditions. Another name is a start-up device (PRA). There are two options: electromagnetic and electronic. The first of them is characterized by a number of shortcomings, such as noise, the effect of the flicker of the fluorescent lamp.

The second type of ballast eliminates many minuses in the operation of the light source of this group, therefore more popular. But breakdowns in such devices also happen. Before throwing out, it is recommended to check the elements of the ballast circuit for faults. It is quite realistic to independently perform the repair of the EPR.

Varieties and principle of operation

The main feature of the EPR is to convert the AC to the permanent. A different electronic ballast for gas-discharge lamps is also called a high-frequency inverter. One of the advantages of such devices is compactness and, accordingly, a small weight that additionally simplifies the work of fluorescent light sources. And EPR does not create noise when working.

Electronic type ballast After connecting to a power source, it provides rectifying current and heated electrodes. In order for the luminescent lamp to be lit, a voltage of a certain value is supplied. Current setting occurs in automatic mode, which is implemented by a special regulator.

Such an opportunity eliminates the likelihood of flicker. The last stage - a high-voltage pulse occurs. The luminescent lamp is adjusted for 1.7 s. If when the light source starts, the failure occurs, the glow body instantly fails (burns out). Then you can try to make repairs with your own hands, for what you want to open the case. The diagram of the electronic ballast looks like this:

The main elements of the EPR fluorescent lamp: filters; directly the rectifier itself; converter; throttle. The scheme also provides protection against racing the supply source voltage, which eliminates the need for repair for this reason. And, in addition, ballast for gas-discharge lamps implements the power correction function.

In terms of purpose, the following types of EPR are found:

• for linear lamps;
• ballast embedded in the design of compact fluorescent light sources.

EPR for luminescent lamps are divided into groups, excellent in functionality: analog; digital; Standard.

Connection Scheme, Run

The starting device is connected on one side to the power supply, on the other - to the lighting element. It is necessary to envisage the possibility of installing and fastening the EPR. Connection is performed in accordance with the polarity of the wires. If you plan to install two lamps through the right, the variant of the parallel connection is used.

The scheme will look like this:

A group of gas-discharge fluorescent lamps cannot work normally without a start-up apparatus. Its electronic design provides soft, but at the same time as the almost instant launch of the light source, which further extends its service life.

Penzhig and maintaining the functioning of the lamp is carried out in three stages: heating electrodes, the appearance of radiation as a result of a high-voltage pulse, maintaining combustion is carried out by means of a constant supply voltage of a small value.

Determination of breakage and repair work

If problems are observed in the work of gas-discharge lamps (flickering, lack of glow), you can independently make repairs. But first it is necessary to understand what the problem is: in ballast or lighting element. To check the performance of the EPR, a linear light is removed from the lamps, the electrodes are closed, and a conventional incandescent lamp is connected. If she caught fire, the problem is not in a start-adjusting device.

Otherwise, you need to look for the cause of breakage inside the ballast. To determine the malfunction of luminescent lamps, you need to "ring" all the elements in turn. Starting with the fuse. If one of the nodes of the circuit failed, it is necessary to replace it with analog. Parameters can be seen on the burnt element. The repair of ballast for gas-discharge lamps involves the need to use the skills of the soldering iron.

If everything is in order with the fuse, then you should check the capacitor and diodes that are installed in close proximity to it. The capacitor voltage should not be lower than a certain threshold (for different elements, this value varies). If all the elements of the right in working condition, without visible damage and the transclon did not give anything, it remains to check the throttle winding.

In some cases it is easier to buy a new lamp. It is advisable to do in the case when the cost of individual elements above the expected limit or in the absence of sufficient skills during the soldering process.

Repair of compact fluorescent lamps is performed according to a similar principle: first the case is sized; The filament of the heat is checked, the reason for the breakdown on the board is determined. There are often situations when the ballast is fully working, and the filament of incandescent overloaded. The lap lamp in this case is difficult to produce. If there is another broken light source of a similar model in the house, but with a non-damped gas body, you can combine two products in one.

Thus, the EPR represents a group of improved devices that ensure the effective operation of fluorescent lamps. If the flickering of the light source was noticed or it does not turn on at all, the ballast check and its subsequent repairs will extend the life of the bulb.

Classes, with a sufficient light stream and at the same time economical, promoted, you can even say, for some quest and sample options. At first, I used the ordinary small lamp of the clothespin, changed it on a small benchlack fluorescent lamp, then there was a 18-watt luminescent lamp of the "Ceiling - Wall-mounted" version of the Chinese production. The latter was most liked most, but the mount directly the lamp itself in the reinforcement was somewhat understated, literally two - three centimeters, but "for complete happiness" and lacked them. The output found in to make the same thing, but in its own way. Since the work of the eprantened era complaints did not cause logical to repeat the scheme.

Principal scheme

This is most of this EPR, the choke and the condenser among the Chinese did not enter here.

Actually conscientiously drawn with a circuit circuit board. The nominal electronic components allowing to do this was determined not only "by appearance"But with the help of measurements, with a preliminary harness of components from the board. The diagram of the resistor ratings is specified in accordance with the color marking. Only with respect to the throttle allowed himself not to unwind the amount available to determine the number of turns, but measured the resistance of the wound wire (1.5 ohms at a diameter of 0.4 mm) - worked.

First assembly on circuit board. The nominal components picked up the scrupulously, despite the dimensions and the amount, and was rewarded - the light bulb was lit with the first time. Ferrite ring (10 x 6 x 4.5 mm) from energy saving light bulbHis magnetic permeability is unknown, the diameter of the coil wires on it wound 0.3 mm (without isolation). The first start is mandatory through incandescent bulb at 25 W. If it burns and the fluorescent is initially flashing and goes out - increase (gradually) C4, when everything has earned everything, and nothing suspicious was found, and removed the incandescent lamp, then reduced it nominal to the initial value.

To some extent, focusing on the printed circuit board, painted the seal under the existing suitable case and electronic components.

Stewed the scarf and collected the scheme. Already anticipated the moment when I am pleased with myself and I am glad to Being. But, the scheme collected on pCB refused to work. I had to delve into and engage in the selection of resistors and capacitors. At the time of installation of the EPR at the place of operation, C4 had a capacity 3N5, C5 - 7N5, R4 resistance of 6 ohms, R5 - 8 Ohm, R7 - 13 ohms.

The lamp "fits" not only in the design, the lamp, raised until the stop, made it possible to comfortably use the shelf inside the niche of the secreter. The comfort in the "room" brought Babay.