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Fluorescent Lamp Modelling and Electronic Ballast Design by the Support of Root
Placement
Article in International Journal of Engineering Technologies IJET · September 2016
DOI: 10.19072/ijet.259395

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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
Ibrahim Aliskan et al., Vol.2, No.3, 2016

Fluorescent Lamp Modelling and Electronic Ballast

Design by the Support of Root Placement
Ibrahim Aliskan*‡, Ridvan Keskin*

*
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bulent Ecevit University, 67100 Zonguldak,
Turkey
([email protected], [email protected])

‡
Corresponding Author: Ibrahim Aliskan, Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering,
Bulent Ecevit University, 67100 Zonguldak, Turkey, Tel: +090 3712911570, Fax: +90 3722574023, [email protected]

Received: 28.07.2016 Accepted: 02.09.2016

Abstract-It is presented that high frequency electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps is designed with root placement method
using natural frequency and damping ratio. Also, a fluorescent lamp is designed as to have dynamic resistant. The method
proposes simple mathematical calculations instead of complex mathematical calculations and the approaches based one of the
component of resonant tank, which arbitrary chosen value. Also it is capable to provide accurate values, which can be
employed in new types to ballasts. Natural frequency and damping ratio, which are parameters of the method, are chosen
switching frequency, 0.707, respectively. Transfer function of electronic ballast circuit is calculated by means of proposed
method. After that, components of the circuit are find out. 220 V(rms) voltage was achieved at ignition and obtained 30 W
lamp power in state space operation. Electronic ballast design and a fluorescent lamp are made of using Matlab/Simulink
interface and the results are presented.
Keywords Electronic ballast, design parameters, switching frequency, fluorescent lamp.
mercury is vaporized and ultraviolet lights are emitted. By
the help of phosphorus placed in tube, this ultraviolet light
1. Introduction
transforms to the emitted light to be seen by our eyes [3].
Humankind is always in the search of new energy Fluorescent lamps have many advantages in comparison
sources and efficient use of current sources in view of the with regular bulbs. They are more expensive but have more
limited energy sources in earth. The economic crisis in the than 10 times long life than regular bulbs. Because light is
world in last years has shown that energy saving concerns emitted from a larger source (not a single point like light
has to consider to preserve natural resources. Many new bulbs) in florescent lamps, it emits more light. Blue light
developments have been applied to the traditional electrical emitted by florescent bulbs are better for the eye comfort.
equipment to improve the efficiency. Efficient usage of An 18 W fluorescent lamp can emit light as much as a 75 W
electricity, as a transformation phase of different energy regular light bulb. It means that fluorescent lamps consume
types, has more importance. One of the most widely used less energy and emit more light, which ends up in around
fields of electricity is lighting. The most widely used light 75% energy efficiency. In addition that, as the ballasts used
sources are incandescent and fluorescent lamps in lighting in florescent lamps are developed, it is expected to increase
[1]. Even light bulbs are considered as the prior source of their efficiency [4], [5], [6].
lighting, in 20th century, fluorescent lamps are developed to
The ballast works as a part of a florescent lamp to reach
efficiently use energy. Usage of florescent bulbs in schools,
starting voltage and to limits the current in the lamp
offices and other places made the development of more
terminals upon reached steady state. As the gas discharge
efficient fluorescent lamps a necessity [2].
starts, at ignition, current continuously increases and lamp
Fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes use electricity for voltage decreases. If resistance of the lamp is formulized as
heating mercury and vaporing through filaments to produce Rlamp=dV/dI, it is seen that the resistant has a negative slope
light. Light is produced after many phases in fluorescent or the lamp has negative resistance character (NTC). This
lamps to be created after thermal radiation. When you turn on requires the current to be limited. In less powered lamps, to
the electricity, it goes through the one electrode to another in limit the current, serial resistances may be used. However,
the fluorescent lamp. When the initial voltage reached, this causes to loss power. Therefore, using ballast is a better
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Ibrahim Aliskan et al., Vol.2, No.3, 2016

way to save energy. There are two main type ballasts as this method increases the gain and efficiency of the circuit by
electromagnetic ballasts and electronic ballasts [3]. means of calculate components of circuit exactly.
Inductive ballasts, which named as magnetic or The paper divided into five sections. In section 2, the
electromagnetic, are made of core rounded with fluorescent lamp resistance is designed as dynamic
aluminium or copper. In a fluorescent lamp, network resistance model. Instead of voltage and current
voltage of 220V is not enough to start lighting in the parameters, power of the fluorescent lamp is considered as
beginning. It requires around 300V for starting firing. a parameter in this approach. In section 3, design of the
Therefore, an auxiliary device is necessary to generate electronic ballast is presented. In section 4, the simulation
high breakdown voltage for start-up and to stabilize lamp study is presented. In section 5, the results are shared.
current. This device is the
“starter” as a switch and used in the lamps to start lighting
2. Fluorescent Lamp Model With Dynamic Resistant
in the beginning. It does not work during the regular
working or steady state times of fluorescent lamps. Circuit topology of a basic high frequency electronic
Electronic ballasts require higher frequency than ballast system is shown in Fig. 1. While it is supplied by dc
magnetic ballasts (fe > 20 kHz). They do not require a starter power supply, there is no need for power factor corrector
to initiate start-up voltage. In other words, they can give the (PFC) circuits and the circuits to prevent total harmonic
start-up voltage themselves. Electronic ballasts are 10-20% distortion (THD). The parallel resonant inverter behaves
more efficient than the inductive ballasts [7]. When more like a current source, which can be used to stabilize
lamps are used in a system, this efficiency becomes more fluorescent lamp current [19].
important. The more efficient on lighting systems the less
heat is emitted. It is listed below that advantages of
electronic ballasts in compared with inductive ballast: K1
T1 Is
 Increases the effectiveness of the lamp and all lighting
system. + Ls Cs +
 Prevents light vibration and stereoscopic events.
Vdc T2
Vs Lamp Vo Cp
 Increases power factor and does not need compensation.
K2
 Enables to use light current in any degree.
- -
 With lower heat increase, heat loss is decreased too. DC/AC
TRANSFORMATION RESONANCE TANK
 Does not have noises.
Fig. 1. Basic circuit configuration of an electronic ballast
 Two lamps can work through a ballast. with half bridge series-resonant parallel-loaded inverter
 Small size, less weight, high frequency [8] - [13]. While the circuit is suppling by dc battery, sinusoidal
In recent years, there has been quite works and signal is obtained at desired high frequency level by use of
researchers are studying about this topic. These works are T1 and T2 Mosfets, active power switches. This active
about design to boosts efficiency and gain of electronic power switches supplied with K1 and K2, square waves
ballasts. As so the works based on lamp arc, it exists that generators, are turned on and off alternately with a short
based on one of the components of the circuit as well. These dead time to drive the load resonant circuit at a high
high-frequency fluorescent lamp models are used for frequency. The parallel branch of resonant tank consists of a
optimization studies [3], [4], [5], [14], [15], [16], [17]. parallel capacitor, Cp, and a fluorescent lamp. Lamp Series
However, they are not enough finding components of the branch of the circuit is formed by an inductor, L s, and a
circuit and procuring optimum efficiency on account of the capacitor, Cs. Cp is to provide a sufficiently high voltage
fact that it is not to calculate properly the components. In across the lamp terminals during starting transient,
addition, Methods of them are based on one of the afterwards a proper ac current at the steady state [20].
component of the resonant tank, which arbitrary chosen When lamp is off state, it behaves like an open circuit,
value, or to have complex resolutions. resistant of lamp is almost equal to infinite value due to
In this study, circuit parameters and components of mercury mixture which is in fluorescent lamp tubes.
electronic ballast are calculated by using this method. The However, the mixture is ionized and the resistant value
design is made with Matlab/Simulink interface. Natural decrease swiftly when the lamp is on state. Therefore, the
frequency and damping ratio, which is parameters of the studies calculated resistant of lamp as a constant or with
method, is chosen as natural frequency is switching R=V/I equation is not given proper calculation [4].
frequency and damping ratio is 0,707 with the purpose of Various dynamic resistant approaches are developed to
optimum efficiency [18]. Also it is focused on the design of calculate resistant of fluorescent lamps [4]. The approaches
an optimum resonant tank by considering the lamp based on voltage and current of the lamps are not given
equivalent resistant Rlamp is variable at high frequency. Using expected results due to the lamp resistant behaves as (NTC).
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That’s why in this paper an approach based on lamp power to parameters are presented in table-1 in accordance with this
calculate resistant of the lamp is focused. A monotonic foresight.
double exponential model is chosen to represent the electric
characteristics of the lamp at high frequency optimally. G(s) V0/Vs (2) iwLs  XLs (3)

1/(iwCs)  XCs (4)

Rlamp a.e(b.Plamp) c.e(d.Plamp) (1)
This equation is derived from a curve fitting to the 1/(iwCp)  XCp
experimental data of equivalent resistance versus average (5) V0  i(s).(
power [21]. A curve of equivalent resistance versus average
power is presented in Fig.2 as a consequence of simulation .Rlamp
made in Matlab/Simulink.
XCp )
(6) (Xcp  Rlamp)

Vs i(s).(XLs  XCs  (XcpXCp.RlampRlamp)). (7)

Equation (6) is divided by equation (7) or from

voltagedivide law,

1
V0 iwCs
Rlamp 

 (8)
Fig. 2. Curve of Lamp resistant versus Average power in Vs iwLs 1/(iwCs)  (Rlamp 1/(iwCp))
Simulink
then transfer function of the circuit is found out as a third
3. Electronic Ballast Design order function in s-domain.

The purpose is to find values of the circuit parameters s

with mathematical calculation instead of based on one of G(s) 
circuit parameters or set value. By using this method, we find Cp.Ls
(9)
the parameter optimally. The control parameter used to vary s2 (Cp  Cs ).s 1
s3   Cp.Cs.Ls 
the output power in all single stage topologies is switching
frequency. These are variable frequency methods that higher Cp.Rlamp Cp.Cs.Ls.Rlamp
frequency results in lower power delivered to the lamp [14].
The circuit is stable because all of poles are located left
First, damping ratio and switching frequency is chosen
side of s-domain. As to the zero of transfer function,
0.707, 56.82 kHz, respectively. Then transfer function of
locates at origin owing to structure of circuit. These
circuit is find out. Poles and zeros of the function is
circumstances can be seen from the transfer function.
calculated. System identification is evaluated by using
However, the gain was interfered by way of coefficient of
transfer function of the circuit.
the zero.
Table 1. Parameters of the circuits Open representation of fluorescent lamps is shown in
ζ Damping ratio 0.707 Fig.3. Rf resistance represents filaments of lamps situated at
wn Natural frequency 358.14 k rad/s terminals of the lamps. The resistance value is chosen using
s1 A root of the transfer function (-2.53+2.53i).105 experimental data [15].
s2 A root of the transfer function (-2.53-2.53i).105 Rf Rf

s3 A root of the transfer function -3.58.105

Ls Series inductor 1.31 mH
Cs Series capacitor 14.4 nF Rlamp

Cp Parallel capacitor 2.97 nF

Transfer function of the circuit indicated in Fig.1 is find
by following steps which is below and its poles are named A Fluorescent
Rf Rf

as s1, s2, s3. After that, parameters of the circuit are Lamp
calculated in consequence of committed calculations using
natural frequency and damping ratio. As for gain of circuit, Fig. 3. Representation of a fluorescent lamp with filament
numerator of (3) must be maximize. Electronic ballast resistances
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Ibrahim Aliskan et al., Vol.2, No.3, 2016
4. Simulation Implementation of Fluorescent Lamp Model

The goal is to make simulation study ideally to

comprehend behaviour of fluorescent lamp system shown in
Fig.1. Matlab/Simulink interface is used as computer
environment to implement the complex circuit easily.
Applied circuit is presented in Fig.4. It is supplied with
battery to have 220-240 V. The mosfets are triggered with 0.5
fill rate by using a logical gate and a pulse generator. Also,
they supply the resonance tank. Dynamic resistant model of
the fluorescent lamp which is subsystem of Fig.4 is presented
in Fig.5 clearly. Equation 1 is simulated using a function
block parameter. A Controlled current source is used to
execute dynamic resistant model. Rf represents a filament
resistance of the fluorescent lamp shown in Table 2. In
addition, other data used in Fig.4 and parameters of the
monotonic double exponential function is shown in Table 2
as well.
Table 2. Monotonic double exponential function parameters
and other values
Parameter Explanation Value
a Value of variable 8147
b Value of variable -0.2113
c Value of variable 1433
d Value of variable -0.5353
Rf Resistanceof filaments 6Ω x4
Vdc DC Voltage 236 V
fs Switching frequency 56.82 kHz
|Iin| Amplitude of the current (Iin) 0.26 A
|Vin| Amplitude of input voltage 236 V
(Vin)
Rlamp Equivalent resistance of the 389 Ω
lamp
Plamp Power of the lamp 26.1 W

Fig. 4. A high frequency electronic ballast circuit with a dynamic resistant fluorescent lamp model

121

Fig. 5. Demonstration of dynamic resistant and the fluorescent lamp model

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGIES
Ibrahim Aliskan et al., Vol.2, No.3, 2016

5. Results
High frequency electronic ballast with dynamic
resistance fluorescent lamp model, presented in Fig.4, whose
subsystem is shown in Fig.5, is run. The results are presented
in following figures. To design the circuit Matlab/Simulink is
used.
Lamp voltage and current are presented with general
overview in Fig.6, with root mean square forms. It is seen
clearly that Lamp voltage is high at transient response
because of the reason mentioned in section 1. This means
that, the lamp can be run and the resistance model is
successful. In addition, before ignition, the lamp pretends Fig. 8. Voltage-current of the lamp versus time at steady
open circuit because its resistant equals to roughly infinite state operation
value. Then in the ignition the current increases sharply due Figure 9 is represented to behave of the lamp at
to decreasing of the resistant. This can be comprehended by ignition. Especially the voltage signal has become
means of reviewing to Eq .1. Finally, the current is suitable sinusoidal signals varying its amplitude due to variable
value in steady state operation. lamp resistant in 0.12 sec implemented the ignition.
Sinusoidal the current and the voltage signals are obtained
0.12 sec after lamp operating as to have constant amplitude
in steady state. The high voltage at ignition able to be seen
in that figure as well. This voltage is sufficient to ignite the
lamp.
The Voltage, Vs, with square form, and Current, Is, with
sinusoidal form, waveforms are presented in Fig.10. To
expect from the resonant circuit is to minimize the phase
difference between voltage and current of series branch.
This expectancy is satisfied thanks to the given ballast
circuit, designed in frequency domain.

Fig. 6. Lamp Voltage and current versus time (a) Lamp

current vs time (b) Lamp voltage vs time
Figure 7 is presented to better understand the relationship
of lamp voltage and current at ignition. On the other hand,
there is a lamp dynamic resistance variation (rlamp Vlamp
/Ilamp).
Voltage and current waveforms of the lamp in lamp
running is presented in Fig.8, with sinusoidal waveforms. It
can be seen that phase difference between them nearly equal
to zero. Thus ensuring that the lamp represents a pure
resistive load with high linearity at high operating frequency.
Also they have no fluctuations. Fig. 9. The signals of the lamp versus time at ignition
(a) Current of lamp vs time (b) Voltage of lamp vs time

Fig. 7. Lamp voltage versus lamp current

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Ibrahim Aliskan et al., Vol.2, No.3, 2016

Fig. 10. Input Current and voltage waveforms after just

switching process
6. Conclusion
This paper presented that root placement method about
to calculate the electronic ballast parameters through roots of
the transfer function. Resonance tank circuit has been
developed to base on operating point resistant of the
fluorescent lamp through roots of frequency domain. View publication stats

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