Switching diagram for fluorescent lamps without a starter. Connecting fluorescent lamps without a choke and starter. Prices for fluorescent lamps

Housekeepers or lamps daylight found today in almost every home. With their help you can save a lot on electricity. But here savings coexist with the rather complex design of such products.

Choke for fluorescent lamp

Enough an important component devices fluorescent lamps is the throttle. This article will tell you what this element is, as well as the diagram for connecting it to a fluorescent lamp.

Features of the housekeeper

The fluorescent lamp is a gas discharge device, which is a more advanced incandescent light bulb. In this regard, its design must have an element that acts as a current limiter. This role is performed by the throttle (ballast). Without it, the current in the electrical circuit will increase like an avalanche, and this will lead to lamp failure.

Note! The inductor, which acts as a current limiter for fluorescent lamps, can be electromagnetic or electronic.

Housekeeper structure

The inductor in a fluorescent lamp is a ballast and absorbs excess power available in the electrical circuit. In a glow source with a power of 36-40 W, it takes up approximately 15% or 6 W.
The choke in luminescent models performs the following functions:

  • warms up the cathodes. Thanks to this they are prepared in the emission of the electrodes;
  • creates the voltage necessary for the starting discharge;
  • acts as a current limiter that flows through electrical system after starting the lamp.

In order for the ballast (electronic or electromagnetic) to perform its direct duties, the correct connection diagram is needed. If at least one mistake is made in it, the fluorescent lamps will not glow.
The connection diagram for a fluorescent lamp can take different forms. It depends on the following parameters:

  • ballast type (electronic or electromagnetic):
  • number of current limiters;
  • type and number of fluorescent lamps (one, two), etc.

All these parameters influence how the connection diagram of the ballast to the electrical circuit of the light source will look. Each such circuit is not very complicated and can be used for connection even without deep knowledge of electrical engineering.
Let's look at some of the most popular connection options.

Electronic type ballast

Today, the most popular and frequently encountered type of ballast will be its electronic type. Therefore, the electronic throttle connection diagram is the most popular.

Electronic ballast

It looks like a small block with terminals exposed. Inside such a block there is printed circuit board. The entire system is assembled on it. From it you can understand how many fluorescent lamps can be connected to it.

Sample connection to one lamp

To connect an electronic type of current limiter you must:

  • the first and second connectors at the output of the block must be connected to one pair of housekeeper contacts;
  • the third and fourth are led to another pair;
  • power is supplied to the input.

As you can see, this option is quite simple to implement. With its help you can connect one fluorescent lamp. The option used to turn on two lighting sources looks somewhat more complicated.

Sample inclusion for two housekeepers

The system used to drive two daylight devices to an electronic ballast type is implemented as follows:

  • the choke is connected to the break in the power supply circuit of the filaments, with the help of which the housekeeper is heated;
  • starters must be driven parallel to the electrodes.

Note! The electronic ballast, starter connectors and filaments must be connected in sequential order.

Some experts, instead of a starter, suggest using a regular button from any electric bell. In this situation, voltage will be supplied to the device by pressing and further holding the bell button. After the housekeeper has lit, the button can be released.

Electromagnetic type ballast

For an electromagnetic ballast, its connection diagram is as follows:

Electromagnetic ballast connection

Here the inclusion process involves the following actions:

  • at the moment of current flow, energy accumulation occurs in the inductor;
  • then it goes to the starter connectors;
  • the current is directed to the starter through the electrode heating filaments;
  • the electrons and the starter itself heat up;
  • then the bimetallic contacts on the starter open;
  • opening of connectors is accompanied by the release of electricity accumulated in the ballast;
  • The voltage in the electrodes changes, which leads to a glow.

This way the lamps will be activated when using the above connection option.

Turning on a pair of lamps

To connect the throttle, you can use the connection option for both one and two housekeepers. Let's take a closer look at how the inclusion of two 2x18 models is done.

Connection to two fluorescent models 2x18

To turn on two devices with a power of 18 W, you need an induction type device with a power of at least 36 W. To do this, you can use 40 W ballasts, as well as two 4-22 W starters. As you can see, the starters must be connected in parallel to each housekeeper. Thus, one pin contact will be used on each side. The remaining connectors should be connected to the electrical network only through an induction choke.
In this situation, you can reduce interference and also compensate for reactive power using a capacitor. It must be connected to the power supply components of the luminaires in parallel. In a situation where there is built-in protection, the capacitor may not be used.

Switching option with two ballasts and two tubes

If you have two lighting sources, as well as two kits for connecting them, you need to use this option.

Connection with two sets

In this situation, the connection is carried out as follows:

  • a phase wire is supplied to the inductor input;
  • then it is sent from the throttle output to one contact of the housekeeper. In this case, from the second connector it goes to the first starter;
  • from the first starter it is sent to the second pair of connectors of the same light source;
  • the free connector must be connected to the neutral power wire, which is indicated in the figure as N

The second tube is switched on in the same way: first the throttle goes, then from it one connector is directed to the light bulb contact, and the second to the starter. The output from the starter must be connected to the second pair of lamp contacts, and the free connector must be connected to the neutral wire.

Connection Features

The most expensive element in an electrical circuit is the inductor. Therefore, many people, in order to save money, prefer those options that use only one ballast.
Moreover, while connecting all elements electrical diagram lamp, you must remember about safety precautions, since in this situation, unknowingly, you can get an electrical injury.

Conclusion

The circuit for connecting a choke to a fluorescent lamp can take a wide variety of forms. It depends on some parameters. Therefore, in order to choose the best option, you need to know what type of ballast and daylighting device you have available.


Solving the Flicker Problem LED strips on

Fluorescent lamps are most often used in production conditions, in shops, greenhouses and warehouses. They began to be purchased for the home only with the advent of samples with an E27 base. Despite all the efficiency, it is quite difficult to create an optimal mode of their operation without additional devices, for example, when we're talking about about parallel connection of fluorescent lamps. We will try to understand the features of this process.

Principle of operation

The lamp is a flask into which the inert gas argon with mercury vapor is pumped. The design contains an anode and a cathode. A discharge occurs between them, resulting in ignition at the moment of start-up.

Heated mercury vapor begins to emit an infrared glow, which is not accessible to the human eye. To transfer the glow to the required range, the walls of the flask are coated with a special phosphor. It activates and begins to emit light suitable for the eye.

However, the evaporation of mercury vapor requires a different voltage than is available in a conventional network. Connection methods for fluorescent lamps are more complex.


In addition to the electrodes, additionally installed electronic and electromagnetic ballasts are launched. They stimulate the appearance of the desired voltage surge and ensure that it does not increase uncontrollably during operation.

Using starters

To operate lamps with electromagnetic type ballasts, a starter is required. It provides closure in the circuit. As a result, the electrodes heat up and ignition occurs. After heating to the required level, the circuit opens and the argon gap is broken through.

But the choke, at the moment of closing the electrodes, limits the current to the required level, helps generate a voltage pulse for breakdown, and is also an important factor in the stability of the discharge.

To connect the lamp, you need to connect the starter in parallel to its input. To do this, use only one pin on each side of the flask. A choke is connected to the remaining contacts of the lamp. In parallel, you need to connect a capacitor, which compensates for reactive power and reduces interference.

In the photo of connecting fluorescent lamps you can see a circuit with an electromagnetic ballast. It has many disadvantages:


Therefore, the use of models with electromagnetic ballasts is now limited. It is recommended to use more efficient devices.

Operation without starter

Fluorescent lamps without a starter are connected using electronic ballasts. Since such a lamp is a light source with a negative resistance value, the electronic ballast plays the role of a converter. High currents can damage the luminaire, so the ballast limits the voltage and keeps it within the required range.

This scheme has advantages. Firstly, the light bulb does not flicker. Secondly, there is no noise during operation. Thirdly, the lighting device remains in working condition much longer. Fourthly, electronic ballasts are more compact compared to a throttle.

Electronic ballast is a block with terminals. There is a board inside the case. The compactness of the device allows it to be used in lamps of any size. When choosing electronic ballasts, you can select a device for the required number of lamps and their power.

The first and second contacts of the ballast must be connected to a pair of lamp outputs, and the third and fourth - to the second pair. Then voltage must be applied to the input, the lamp will function.


Connection for two lamps

To connect two fluorescent lamps, it is necessary to connect the starter device in parallel to all linear lamps.

Contact occurs on two pins, each of which is on different sides of the bulb. The remaining contacts are used to connect an induction choke. They will be supplied with power.

Connecting a capacitor in parallel relative to the feeding contacts allows you to influence the reactive power and reduce the level of interference.


The use of ballasts makes it possible to effectively operate fluorescent lamps indoors different types. This ensures reliable and durable operation and compensates for voltage surges.

Modern equipment makes it easier to connect a fluorescent lamp to a switch, however, work related to this task requires electrical skills from the performers.

Photo of connecting fluorescent lamps

Energy-saving fluorescent lamps are increasingly replacing outdated incandescent lamps from shelves. And it’s not surprising, because they allow you to significantly save on electricity bills, and you don’t need to buy and change them so often. At the same time, the glow of a fluorescent lamp has much better ergonomic characteristics: it is more pleasant to the eye, and is not as harmful to it as the yellow light from incandescent lamps.

Where it is necessary to regularly illuminate the work area and work for long periods of time under artificial lighting, the best option there will be a fluorescent lamp, the connection diagram of which has its own characteristics. It may seem like a disadvantage to some that connecting such lamps has some nuances, but after reading detailed instructions and images, almost anyone can connect such a lamp.

For connecting fluorescent lamps ( linear lamps) with an electromagnetic ballast (ballast, choke), it is necessary to use starters. To connect a single lamp, consider an example with an S10 starter.

Modern design combined with a non-flammable external dielectric housing made of macrolon makes this device one of the most reliable and sought-after in its niche.

Starter functions the diagram is as follows:

  • ensuring short circuit in the circuit to facilitate ignition by heating the lamp electrodes;
  • ensuring breakdown of the gas gap by breaking the circuit after sufficient heating of the electrodes, thereby causing high voltage pulse and the actual breakdown.

Choke (ballast) required to perform the following tasks:

  • current limitation when the starter electrodes are closed;
  • due to e.m.f. self-induction that occurs at the moment the starter electrodes open, the necessary voltage pulse is generated for the breakdown of the gas-discharge lamp;
  • ensuring stable combustion of the oven discharge after lighting the lamp.

For the circuit below, a lamp with a power of 36 (40) W is taken, therefore, a choke (ballast) of the same power and a starter S10, whose power is 4-65 W, are needed.

The connection must be made in accordance with the diagram in the figure, namely:

  1. connect the starter in parallel to the pin output contacts of the linear fluorescent lamp, which are the terminals of the bulb filament;
  2. to connect the starter, use one pin at each end of the lamp;
  3. an induction choke (ballast) is connected to the remaining free contacts of the lamp, also parallel to the network;
  4. must be connected parallel to the supply outputs (contacts) of the lamp: it will be responsible for power compensation (reactive), as well as for reducing interference in the electrical network.

Connecting fluorescent lamps without a starter using electronic ballasts

Electronic ballasts (EPG) for fluorescent lighting sources, or otherwise ballast, are necessary to connect the lamp to the network and essentially act as a converter. The need for this element is due to the design features and operating principle of the fluorescent gas-discharge lamp itself, which is a light source with negative resistance.

The lamp may fail due to the supply of high currents. When connecting a fluorescent lamp using electronic ballasts, the parameters of the supply voltage for the lighting device are set and maintained within acceptable limits.

A special feature of the electronic ballast is that nothing else is needed to turn on the lamp, including a starter.

A starterless circuit for switching on fluorescent lamps using electronic ballasts provides:

  • increasing the reliability and durability of the lamp;
  • no hum or flicker.

The undeniable advantages of electronic ballasts are their small size and more favorable cost compared to electromagnetic chokes, which are inferior in all respects.

Following certain recommendations will allow you to special effort home handyman. It is necessary to take into account the type of backlight, total power, calculation of the reserve of power supplies and RGB amplifiers.

To find out where to apply LED bulbs in everyday life, just read.

Typically, electronic ballasts are sold complete with the necessary wires and connectors (metal clips), and there are also models for conveniently connecting two fluorescent lamps at once.

The electronic diagram for connecting fluorescent lamps is shown below. It is relevant for new and much more energy efficient lamps such as T8 and T5.

Startup process lamps can be divided into three stages (similar to other methods of switching on):

  • warming up the electrodes for a more gentle start-up, therefore preserving the lifespan of the lamp;
  • pulse generation high voltage required for ignition;
  • stabilization and subsequent supply of the required operating voltage.

Thanks to the inclusion of the IR2153 microcircuit in the starterless installation of fluorescent lamps, the system is protected from burnout or from the consequences of switching on in the absence of a lamp, by blocking the operation of power transistors.

Two-lamp connection diagram for fluorescent lamps

Using the example of two 18-watt fluorescent lamps, we will consider what is needed for connection and how the work is carried out. The connection diagram indicating the wires is shown below.

To connect two fluorescent lamps in series you will need:

  • 2 fluorescent lamps (in this case, 18/20 W);
  • Induction choke (for the described circuit, power 36/40W);
  • 2 starters S2 (4-22W).

To begin with, a starter is connected in parallel to each of the linear fluorescent lamps. To do this, you need to use one pin output at the two ends of each lamp. The remaining free contacts are connected in series, through an induction electromagnetic choke, to the power supply network.

In order to compensate for reactive power, as well as to reduce interference that regularly occurs in any electrical network, capacitors are connected in parallel with the power contacts of the lamps. However, keep in mind that the contacts of many standard household switches, especially inexpensive ones, can stick due to high inrush currents.

Drivers and car enthusiasts often have to deal with the solution to the problem -. There are several ways to do this: both with the help of additional devices and without them.

You can learn about various methods for testing a generator, and useful information will help you install a generator correctly on your home network.

Modern ballasts have small dimensions and are designed in such a way as not only to connect lamps, but also to ensure the reliability and safety of the circuits, protection from voltage surges and other factors. By using electronic circuits it is possible to connect more complex systems, for example, illumination of advertising stands, organizing lighting of large industrial or warehouse premises.

Also luminescent technologies and connection of linear light sources is used in medical institutions and office premises.

At the same time, the design features of the lamps themselves and modern electronic chokes provide high efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of using such technologies. Therefore, the trend of widespread transition to modern environmentally friendly and economical fluorescent lamps is obvious.

The circuits and connection methods are not complicated, they require a minimum of equipment and additional equipment. items that are always on open sale.

Video review describing one of the ways to turn on a fluorescent lamp - from 220 Volts

The so-called “daylight” lamps (LDL) are certainly more economical than conventional incandescent lamps, and they are also much more durable. But, unfortunately, they have the same “Achilles heel” - the filament. It is the heating coils that most often fail during operation - they simply burn out. And the lamp has to be thrown away, inevitably polluting the environment with harmful mercury. But not everyone knows that such lamps are still quite suitable for further work.

In order for the LDS, in which only one filament has burned out, to continue to work, it is enough to simply bridge those pin terminals of the lamp that are connected to the burnt-out filament. It is easy to determine which thread is burnt out and which is intact using an ordinary ohmmeter or tester: a burnt-out thread will show an infinitely high resistance on the ohmmeter, but if the thread is intact, the resistance will be close to zero. In order not to bother with soldering, several layers of foil paper (from a tea wrapper, milk bag or cigarette packaging) are strung onto the pins coming from the burnt thread, and then carefully cut off the entire “ layered cake» according to the diameter of the lamp base. Then the LDS connection diagram will be as shown in Fig. 1. Here, the EL1 fluorescent lamp has only one (left according to the diagram) whole filament, while the second (right) is short-circuited with our improvised jumper. Other elements of the fluorescent lamp fittings - such as inductor L1, neon starter EK1 (with bimetallic contacts), as well as interference suppression capacitor SZ (with a rated voltage of at least 400 V) may remain the same. True, the ignition time of the LDS with such a modified scheme can increase to 2...3 seconds.

A simple circuit for switching on an LDS with one burnt-out filament


The lamp works in such a situation like this. As soon as it is submitted mains voltage 220 V, the neon lamp of the starter EK1 lights up, causing its bimetallic contacts to heat up, as a result of which they eventually close the circuit, connecting the inductor L1 - through the whole filament to the network. Now this remaining thread heats up the mercury vapor located in the glass flask of the LDS. But soon the bimetallic contacts of the lamp cool down (due to the extinguishing of the neon) so much that they open. Due to this, a high-voltage pulse is formed at the inductor (due to the self-induction emf of this inductor). It is he who is able to “set fire” to the lamp, in other words, ionize mercury vapor. It is the ionized gas that causes the glow of the powder phosphor, with which the flask is coated from the inside along its entire length.
But what if both filaments in the LDS burn out? Of course, it is permissible to bridge the second filament. However, the ionization ability of a lamp without forced heating is significantly lower, and therefore a high-voltage pulse here will require a larger amplitude (up to 1000 V or more).
To reduce the plasma “ignition” voltage, auxiliary electrodes can be arranged outside the glass flask, as if in addition to the two existing ones. They can be in the form of a ring band glued to the flask with BF-2, K-88, “Moment” glue, etc. A belt about 50 mm wide is cut out of copper foil. A thin wire is soldered to it with PIC solder, electrically connected to the electrode of the opposite end of the LDS tube. Naturally, the conductive belt is covered on top with several layers of PVC electrical tape, “adhesive tape” or medical adhesive tape. A diagram of such a modification is shown in Fig. 2. It is interesting that here (as in the usual case, i.e. with intact filaments) it is not at all necessary to use a starter. So, the closing (normally open) button SB1 is used to turn on the lamp EL1, and the opening (normally closed) button SB2 is used to turn off the LDS. Both of them can be of the KZ, KPZ, KN type, miniature MPK1-1 or KM1-1, etc.


Connection diagram for LDS with additional electrodes


In order not to bother yourself with winding conductive belts, which are not very attractive in appearance, assemble a voltage quadrupler (Fig. 3). It will allow you to forget once and for all about the problem of burning out unreliable filaments.


A simple circuit for switching on an LDS with two burnt-out filaments using a voltage quadrupler


The quadrifier contains two conventional voltage doubling rectifiers. So, for example, the first of them is assembled on capacitors C1, C4 and diodes VD1, VD3. Thanks to the action of this rectifier, SZ is formed on the capacitor constant pressure about 560V (since 2.55*220V=560V). A voltage of the same magnitude appears on capacitor C4, so a voltage of the order of 1120 V appears on both capacitors SZ and C4, which is quite sufficient to ionize mercury vapor inside the LDS EL1. But as soon as ionization begins, the voltage on capacitors SZ, C4 decreases from 1120 to 100...120 V, and on the current-limiting resistor R1 drops to approximately 25...27 V.
It is important that paper (or even electrolytic oxide) capacitors C1 and C2 must be designed for a rated (operating) voltage of at least 400 V, and mica capacitors SZ and C4 - 750 V or more. It is best to replace the powerful current-limiting resistor R1 with a 127-volt incandescent light bulb. The resistance of resistor R1, its dissipation power, as well as suitable 127-volt lamps (they should be connected in parallel) are indicated in the table. Here you can also find data on the recommended diodes VD1-VD4 and the capacitance of capacitors C1-C4 for LDS of the required power.
If you use a 127-volt lamp instead of the very hot resistor R1, its filament will barely glow - the heating temperature of the filament (at a voltage of 26 V) does not even reach 300ºC (dark brown incandescent color, indistinguishable to the eye even in complete darkness). Because of this, 127-volt lamps here can last almost forever. They can only be damaged purely mechanically, say, by accidentally breaking a glass flask or “shaking off” a thin hair of a spiral. 220-volt lamps would heat up even less, but their power would have to be excessively high. The fact is that it should exceed the power of the LDS by approximately 8 times!


The switching circuit for fluorescent lamps is much more complex than that of incandescent lamps.
Their ignition requires the presence of special starting devices, and the life of the lamp depends on the quality of these devices.

To understand how launch systems work, you must first become familiar with the design of the lighting device itself.

A fluorescent lamp is a gas-discharge light source, the luminous flux of which is formed mainly due to the glow of a phosphor layer applied to the inner surface of the bulb.

When the lamp is turned on, an electronic discharge occurs in the mercury vapor that fills the test tube and the resulting UV radiation affects the phosphor coating. With all this, the frequencies of invisible UV radiation (185 and 253.7 nm) are converted into visible light radiation.
These lamps have low energy consumption and are very popular, especially in industrial premises.

Scheme

When connecting fluorescent lamps, a special starting and regulating technique is used - ballasts. There are 2 types of ballasts: electronic - electronic ballast (electronic ballast) and electromagnetic - electromagnetic ballast (starter and choke).

Connection diagram using electromagnetic ballast or electronic ballast (throttle and starter)

A more common connection diagram for a fluorescent lamp is using an electromagnetic amplifier. This starter circuit.




Operating principle: when the power supply is connected, a discharge appears in the starter and
the bimetallic electrodes are short-circuited, after which the current in the circuit of the electrodes and the starter is limited only by the internal resistance of the inductor, as a result of which the operating current in the lamp increases almost three times and the electrodes of the fluorescent lamp instantly heat up.
At the same time, the bimetallic contacts of the starter cool down and the circuit opens.
At the same time, the choke breaks, thanks to self-induction, creates a triggering high-voltage pulse (up to 1 kV), which leads to a discharge in the gas environment and the lamp lights up. After which the voltage on it will become equal to half of the mains voltage, which will not be enough to re-close the starter electrodes.
When the lamp is on, the starter will not participate in the operating circuit and its contacts will and will remain open.

Main disadvantages

  • Compared to a circuit with electronic ballast, electricity consumption is 10-15% higher.
  • Long start-up of at least 1 to 3 seconds (depending on lamp wear)
  • Inoperability at low temperatures environment. For example, in winter in an unheated garage.
  • The stroboscopic result of a flashing lamp, which has a bad effect on vision, and the parts of machine tools rotating synchronously with the mains frequency appear motionless.
  • The sound of the throttle plates humming, growing over time.

Switching diagram with two lamps but one choke. It should be noted that the inductance of the inductor must be sufficient for the power of these two lamps.
It should be noted that in a sequential circuit for connecting two lamps, 127 Volt starters are used; they will not work in a single-lamp circuit, which will require 220 Volt starters

This circuit, where, as you can see, there is no starter or throttle, can be used if the filaments of the lamps have burned out. In this case, the LDS can be ignited using step-up transformer T1 and capacitor C1, which will limit the current flowing through the lamp from a 220-volt network.

This circuit is suitable for the same lamps whose filaments have burned out, but here there is no need for a step-up transformer, which clearly simplifies the design of the device

But such a circuit using a diode rectifier bridge eliminates the flickering of the lamp at the mains frequency, which becomes very noticeable as it ages.

or more difficult

If the starter in your lamp has failed or the lamp is constantly blinking (along with the starter if you look closely under the starter housing) and there is nothing at hand to replace it, you can light the lamp without it - enough for 1-2 seconds. short-circuit the starter contacts or install button S2 (caution of dangerous voltage)

the same case, but for a lamp with a burnt-out filament

Connection diagram using electronic ballast or electronic ballast

An electronic ballast (EPG), unlike an electromagnetic one, supplies the lamps with a high-frequency voltage from 25 to 133 kHz rather than the mains frequency. And this completely eliminates the possibility of lamp flickering noticeable to the eye. The electronic ballast uses a self-oscillator circuit, which includes a transformer and an output stage using transistors.



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