Magnetic Chokes for Fluorescent Lamps
EC magnetic chokes for fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps and the luminaire inserts for compact fluorescent lamps UEC are robust and extremely cost-effective solutions with long lives. The wide range of low-loss ballasts in energy efficiency classes B2 and B1 from Tridonic Atco covers all the relevant applications and ensures that the lamps are operated as specified.
All EC magnetic chokes for luminaire installation are characterised by minimal energy consumption, compact windings, optimised dimensions and high-quality materials. In temperature sensitive applications, the B1 version offers additional benefits thanks to its lower energy consumption and 15k lower self-heating.
Optimised for Specified Lamp Operation
EC magnetic chokes ensure that the pre-heating current, ignition voltage and lamp current, all remain within the specified tolerances for optimum operation of fluorescent lamps. Long lamp life can only be achieved by preheating the electrodes before the ignition voltage is applied to the lamp. The EC units heat to precisely the right temparature because if the preheat current is too low or too high the lamp electrodes will be destroyed and the life of the lamp cut short. The choke ensures a sufficiently high ignition voltage after the prehear phase by opening a glow starter or electronic starter. The latter automatically selects the right time to open the starter to reliably ignite the lamp at very high or very low ambient temparatures. The EC chokes are designed to very narrow tolerances so the impedance perfectly limits the lamp current and maximum luminous flex is achieved.
The low magnetic leakage field - and therefore the very low noise emission - means that the magnetic chokes from Tridonic Atco can be places bear electrical equipment that is sensitive to interference.
Design for Long Life
Because of their quality insulation material, coil core and copper wire, control gear in the EC, OM and OG series from Tridonic Atco achieve a maximum life of approximately 100,000 hours of operation, in other words about ten years of constant use at a winding temperature of 130°C (tw=130°C). The winding temparature is the ambient temperature plus the increase in temperature due to the power consumption of the unit. A change in temperature of 10°C up or down leads to a doubling or halving of the life of the unit.
Constant High Quality
Uniform high quality standards are guaranteed by the use of high-grade materials together with manufacturing processes certified to ISO 9001. Fully automatic manufacture also ensures constant reproducible quality. All the ballasts are subjected to 100% final testing and safety.
Standards and Approval Marks
EC magnetic chokes from Tridonic Atco are ENEC tested, carry the CE mark and meet all the relevant European standards relating to safety, operation and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).