The non-linear theory of fluorescent lamp circuits

Abstract

In contrast to the usual approach, fluorescent lamp circuits are analysed here not with the help of a linear model, but as non-linear systems. With the help of an idealization of the strongly non-linear voltage-current characteristic of the lamp, some new formulae are obtained. The formulae permit a general analysis of some important network properties, e.g. of the sensitivity of power consumption to changes in the amplitude of the voltage source, and also may facilitate the synthesis of ballasts for different possible requirements. The text should be useful for practical engineers. It also gives an analytical introduction into the field of the circuits, omitting considerations of technological details, but permitting the estimation of different circuit parameters and understanding their roles. Theoretically obtained results are compared with experimental and engineering data and, in general, the agreement seems to be satisfactory