Wiring diagram for fluorescent lamps 4 lamps. Scheme for switching on fluorescent lamps

(electronic ballast) fluorescent lamps burn out. This happens with large fixtures, and with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), better known as economy lamps. And if the burnt electronics can be repaired, then they are simply thrown away.

It is clear that if a lamp connected to a choke with a starter or to an electronic ballast burns out one of the filaments, then the lamp will no longer turn on. In addition, the old "Brezhnev" connection scheme has several more drawbacks: a prolonged start by the starter, accompanied by annoying flashes; flickering lamp with double frequency networks.

However, the solution is simple - to power the fluorescent lamp not with alternating current, but with direct current, and in order not to use capricious starters, you need to apply increased mains voltage at startup. Thus, not only will the light source stop flickering, but after connecting according to the new scheme, even a burnt-out fluorescent lamp will work for more than one year.

To start with a multiplied mains voltage, it is not necessary to heat the coils - electrons for initial ionization will be torn out already at room temperature, even from burnt coils. Since heating to a temperature of 800–900 degrees is not needed for a glowing starting discharge, the service life of any fluorescent lamp is sharply extended, even with intact spirals. After starting, the filament pieces become warm due to the steady flow of electrons. The simplest circuit, which has these advantages, is the following:

The figure shows a circuit of a full-wave rectifier with voltage doubling, here the lamp lights up instantly

When connecting according to this scheme, you need to connect together both external terminals of each filament of the lamp - no matter if they are burned out or whole.

Capacitors C1, C4 are needed non-polar with an operating voltage of more than 2 times the mains voltage (for example, MBM is not lower than 600 volts). This is the main disadvantage of the circuit - it uses two high-capacity capacitors for high voltage. These capacitors are large.

Capacitors C2, C3 are also needed non-polar and it is desirable that they be mica for a voltage of 1000 V. On diodes D1, D4 and capacitors C2, C3, the voltage jumps to 900 V, which ensures reliable ignition of a cold lamp. Also, these two capacitances contribute to the suppression of radio interference. The lamp can be lit without these capacitors and diodes, but with them, switching on becomes more trouble-free.

The resistor must be wound independently from nichrome or manganin wire. The power dissipated on it is significant, since a luminous fluorescent lamp does not have its own internal resistance.

Detailed ratings of circuit elements depending on the power of the lamp are given in the table:

Diodes can be used, optionally those indicated in the table, but similar modern ones, the main thing is that they are suitable in terms of power.

To light an unyielding lamp, a foil ring is wound around one end and connected with a wire to a spiral on the opposite side. Such a rim 50 mm wide is cut out of thin foil and glued to the lamp bulb.

It should be noted that the fluorescent lamp is not at all designed to operate on direct current. With such a power supply, the luminous flux from it weakens over time due to the fact that mercury vapor inside the tube gradually gathers near one of the electrodes. Although, it is quite easy to restore the brightness of the glow, you just need to turn the lamp over, swapping plus and minus at its ends. And in order not to disassemble the lamp at all, it makes sense to install a switch in it in advance.

Of course, it is impossible to fit such a circuit in the basement of a small CFL. But why is it needed? You can also assemble the entire start-up circuit in a separate box and connect it to the lamp through long wires. It is important to pull out all the electronics from the energy-saving lamp, and also short-circuit the two terminals of each of its filaments. The main thing is not to forget, and not to stick it in such homemade lamp correct lamp.

Homemade wind turbine. Wind generator based on asynchronous motor Connecting fluorescent lamps via electronic ballast

Fluorescent lamps are connected in accordance with a slightly more complex scheme compared to their closest "relatives" - incandescent lamps. To ignite fluorescent lamps, starters must be included in the circuit, the quality of which directly affects the life of the lamps.

To understand the features of the circuits, it is necessary first of all to study the device and the mechanism of operation of such devices.

Each of these devices is a sealed flask filled with a special mixture of gases. At the same time, the mixture is designed in such a way that the ionization of gases takes a much smaller amount of energy compared to ordinary incandescent lamps, which makes it noticeable in lighting.

In order for a fluorescent lamp to constantly give light, a glow discharge must be maintained in it. To ensure this, the required voltage is applied to the electrodes of the light bulb. The main problem is that the discharge can only appear when a voltage is applied that is significantly higher than the operating voltage. However, lamp manufacturers have successfully solved this problem.

The electrodes are installed on both sides of the fluorescent lamp. They accept voltage, due to which the discharge is maintained. Each electrode has two contacts. A current source is connected to them, due to which the space surrounding the electrodes is heated.

Thus, the fluorescent lamp is ignited after warming up its electrodes. To do this, they are exposed to a high-voltage pulse, and only then does the operating voltage come into play, the value of which must be sufficient to maintain the discharge.

Under the influence of the discharge, the gas in the flask begins to emit ultraviolet light, which is immune to the human eye. In order for the light to become visible to a person, the inner surface of the bulb is coated with a phosphor. This substance provides a shift in the frequency range of light into the visible spectrum. By changing the composition of the phosphor, the range of color temperatures also changes, thereby providing a wide range of fluorescent lamps.

Fluorescent type lamps, unlike simple incandescent lamps, cannot simply be switched on in electrical network. For the appearance of an arc, as noted, the electrodes must warm up and a pulsed voltage should appear. These conditions are provided with the help of special ballasts. The most widespread are ballasts of electromagnetic and

Prices for fluorescent lamps

Classic connection via electromagnetic ballast

Circuit Features

In accordance with this scheme, a choke is included in the circuit. Also included in the circuit is a starter.

Starter for fluorescent lamps - Philips Ecoclick StartersS10 220-240V 4-65W

The latter is a low power neon light source. The device is equipped with bimetallic contacts and is powered by an AC mains supply. The throttle, starter contacts and electrode threads are connected in series.

Instead of a starter, an ordinary button from an electric bell can be included in the circuit. In this case, the voltage will be applied by holding the bell button down. The button must be released after lighting the lamp.

The order of operation of the circuit with an electromagnetic type ballast is as follows:

• after being connected to the network, the choke begins to accumulate electromagnetic energy;
• through the starter contacts, electricity is supplied;
• the current rushes along the tungsten filaments of heating the electrodes;
• electrodes and starter heat up;
• the starter contacts open;
• the energy accumulated by the throttle is released;
• the magnitude of the voltage on the electrodes changes;
• a fluorescent lamp gives light.

In order to increase the efficiency and reduce the interference that occurs when the lamp is turned on, the circuit is equipped with two capacitors. One of them (smaller) is located inside the starter. Its main function is to extinguish sparks and improve the neon impulse.

Among the key advantages of a circuit with an electromagnetic type ballast are:

• time-tested reliability;
• simplicity;
• affordable cost.
• As practice shows, there are more disadvantages than advantages. Among them, it is necessary to highlight:
• impressive weight of the lighting device;
• long turn-on time of the lamp (on average up to 3 seconds);
• low efficiency of the system when operating in the cold;
• relatively high energy consumption;
• noisy throttle operation;
• flickering that adversely affects vision.

Connection order

The connection of the lamp according to the considered scheme is carried out using starters. Next, an example of installing one lamp with the inclusion of a model S10 starter in the circuit will be considered. it modern device has a non-flammable housing and high-quality construction, which makes it the best in its niche.

The main tasks of the starter are reduced to:

• ensure that the lamp is turned on;
• breakdown of the gas gap. To do this, the circuit is broken after a rather long heating of the lamp electrodes, which leads to the release of a powerful pulse and direct breakdown.

The throttle is used to perform the following tasks:

• limiting the magnitude of the current at the moment of closing the electrodes;
• generation of voltage sufficient for the breakdown of gases;
• maintaining the discharge burning at a constant stable level.

In this example, a 40 W lamp is connected. In this case, the throttle must have a similar power. The power of the starter used is 4-65 watts.

We connect in accordance with the presented scheme. To do this, we do the following.

First step

In parallel, we connect the starter to the pin side contacts at the output of the fluorescent lamp. These contacts are the conclusions of the filaments of the sealed bulb.

Second step

We connect to the remaining free contacts.

Third step

We connect the capacitor to the supply contacts, again, in parallel. Thanks to the capacitor, reactive power will be compensated and interference in the network will be reduced.

Connection via modern electronic ballast

Circuit Features

Modern connectivity. An electronic ballast is included in the circuit - this economical and advanced device provides much more long term service of fluorescent lamps in comparison with the above option.

In circuits with electronic ballast, fluorescent lamps operate at increased voltage (up to 133 kHz). Thanks to this, the light is even, without flickering.

Modern microcircuits make it possible to assemble specialized starting devices with low power consumption and compact dimensions. This makes it possible to place the ballast directly into the lamp base, which makes it possible to manufacture small-sized lighting fixtures screwed into an ordinary socket, standard for incandescent lamps.

At the same time, microcircuits not only provide power to the lamps, but also smoothly heat up the electrodes, increasing their efficiency and increasing their service life. It is these fluorescent lamps that can be used in combination with - devices designed to smoothly control the brightness of light bulbs. You cannot connect a dimmer to fluorescent lamps with electromagnetic ballasts.

By design, the electronic ballast is a voltage converter. Miniature inverter transforms D.C. into high frequency and variable. It is he who enters the electrode heaters. With increasing frequency, the heating intensity of the electrodes decreases.

Turning on the converter is organized in such a way that at first the current frequency is at a high level. The fluorescent lamp, in this case, is included in the circuit, the resonant frequency of which is much less than the initial frequency of the converter.

Further, the frequency begins to gradually decrease, and the voltage on the lamp and the oscillatory circuit increase, due to which the circuit approaches resonance. The intensity of electrode heating also increases. At some point, conditions are created that are sufficient to create a gas discharge, as a result of which the lamp begins to give light. The lighting device closes the circuit, the mode of operation of which changes in this case.

When using electronic ballasts, the lamp connection diagrams are designed in such a way that the control device has the opportunity to adapt to the characteristics of the light bulb. For example, after a certain period of use, fluorescent lamps require more high voltage to create an initial digit. The ballast will be able to adapt to such changes and provide the necessary quality of lighting.

Thus, among the numerous advantages of modern electronic ballasts, the following points should be highlighted:

• high operating efficiency;
• gentle heating of the electrodes of the lighting device;
• smooth turning on of the light bulb;
• no flicker;
• possibility of use in conditions of low temperatures;
• independent adaptation to the characteristics of the lamp;
• high reliability;
• light weight and compact size;
• increase the life of lighting fixtures.

There are only 2 disadvantages:

• complicated connection scheme;
• higher requirements for the correct installation and the quality of the components used.

Prices for electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps

Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamps

Connection order

All necessary connectors and wires usually come with the electronic ballast. You can see the connection diagram in the image below. Also, suitable diagrams are given in the instructions for ballasts and lighting fixtures directly.

In such a scheme, the lamp turns on in 3 main stages, namely:

• the electrodes are warmed up, which ensures a more careful and smooth start-up and saves the resource of the device;
• there is a creation of a powerful impulse required for ignition;
• the value of the operating voltage stabilizes, after which the voltage is applied to the lamp.

Modern lamp connection schemes eliminate the need for a starter. This eliminates the risk of the ballast burnout if the lamp is started without a lamp installed.

The scheme for connecting two fluorescent bulbs to one ballast deserves special attention. Devices are connected in series. To complete the work, you need to prepare:

• induction choke;
• starters in the amount of two pieces;
• direct fluorescent lamps.

Connection sequence

First step. A starter is connected to each bulb. The connection is parallel. In this example, we connect the starter to the pin output from both ends of the lighting device.

Second step. Free contacts are connected to the mains. In this case, the connection is made in series, by means of a choke.

Third step. Capacitors are connected in parallel to the contacts of the lighting device. They will reduce the severity of interference in the power grid and compensate for the resulting reactive power.

Important point! In ordinary household switches, this is especially true for budget models, contacts can stick under the influence of increased starting currents. In view of this, for use in combination with fluorescent lighting fixtures, it is recommended to use only high-quality specially designed for this.

You have familiarized yourself with the features of different schemes for connecting fluorescent lamps and now you can independently cope with the installation and replacement of such lighting fixtures.

Successful work!

Video - Connection diagram for fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps (LDS) are the first economical devices that appeared after traditional filament lamps. They belong to gas-discharge devices, where an element is required that limits the power in the electrical circuit.

Choke assignment

The inductor for fluorescent lamps controls the voltage applied to the lamp electrodes. In addition, it has the following assignments:

• surge protection;
• heating of cathodes;
• creating a high voltage to start the lamp;
• force limitation electric current after start;
• stabilization of the burning process of the lamp.

To save the throttle is connected to two lamps.

The principle of operation of an electromagnetic ballast (EMPRA)

The first one, which was created and is still used today, includes elements:

• throttle;
• starter;
• two capacitors.

The circuit of a fluorescent lamp with a choke is connected to a 220 V network. All parts connected together are called electromagnetic ballast.

When power is applied, the circuit of the tungsten spirals of the lamp is closed, and the starter is turned on in the glow discharge mode. No current passes through the lamp. Threads gradually warm up. Starter contacts in original state open. One of them is made bimetallic. It bends when heated from a glow discharge and completes the circuit. In this case, the current increases by 2-3 times and the cathodes of the lamp are heated.

As soon as the starter contacts close, the discharge in it stops and begins to cool. As a result, the moving contact opens and self-inductance of the inductor occurs in the form of a significant voltage pulse. It is enough for the electrons to break through the gaseous medium between the electrodes and the lamp ignites. The rated current begins to pass through it, which then decreases by a factor of 2 due to the voltage drop across the inductor. The starter remains permanently off (contacts open) as long as the LDS is lit.

Thus, the ballast starts the lamp and further maintains it in an active state.

Advantages and disadvantages of EMPR

The electromagnetic choke for fluorescent lamps is characterized by low price, simple design and high reliability.

In addition, there are disadvantages:

• pulsating light leading to eye fatigue;
• up to 15% is lost electricity;
• noise during start-up and during operation;
• the lamp does not start well at low temperatures;
• large size and weight;
• prolonged lamp start.

Typically, the buzzing and flickering of the lamp occurs when the power supply is unstable. Ballasts are produced from different levels noise. To reduce it, you can choose the appropriate model.

Lamps and chokes are selected equal to each other in power, otherwise the life of the lamp will be significantly reduced. Usually they are supplied as a set, and the replacement of the ballast is made by a device with the same parameters.

Complete with EMPRA are inexpensive, and they do not require adjustment.

The ballast is characterized by the consumption of reactive energy. To reduce losses, a capacitor is connected in parallel with the power supply.

Electronic ballast

All the shortcomings of the electromagnetic choke had to be eliminated, and as a result of research, an electronic choke for fluorescent lamps (electronic ballasts) was created. The circuit is a single unit that starts and maintains the combustion process by forming a given sequence of voltage changes. You can connect it using the instructions that came with the model.

The choke for fluorescent lamps of the electronic type has the following advantages:

• the possibility of instant start or with any delay;
• lack of a starter;
• no blinking;
• increased light output;
• compactness and lightness of the device;
• optimal modes of operation.

Electronic ballasts are more expensive than electromagnetic devices due to the complex electronic circuitry that includes filters, power factor correction, inverter and ballast. In some models, protection against erroneous start of the lamp without lamps is installed.

User reviews talk about the convenience of using electronic ballasts in energy-saving LDS, which are built directly into the bases for conventional standard cartridges.

How to start a fluorescent lamp with an electronic ballast?

When turned on from the electronic ballast, voltage is applied to the electrodes, and they are heated. Then they receive a powerful impulse that lights the lamp. It is formed by creating an oscillatory circuit that enters into resonance before the discharge. In this way, the cathodes are well heated, all the mercury in the flask evaporates, due to which the lamp starts easily. After the discharge occurs, the resonance of the oscillatory circuit immediately stops and the voltage decreases to the working one.

The principle of operation of the electronic ballast is similar to the variant with an electromagnetic choke, since the lamp starts, which then decreases to a constant value and maintains a discharge in the lamp.

The current frequency reaches 20-60 kHz, due to which flicker is excluded, and the efficiency becomes higher. Reviews often suggest replacing electromagnetic chokes with electronic ones. It is important that they are suitable for power. The circuit can create an instant start or a fade-in. Cold start is convenient, but the life of the lamp becomes much shorter.

Daylight lamp without starter, throttle

LDS can be turned on without a bulky choke, using a simple incandescent lamp with a similar power instead. In this scheme, the starter is also not needed.

The connection is made through a rectifier, in which the voltage is doubled with the help of capacitors and sets fire to the lamp without heating the cathodes. in series with LDS through phase wire the incandescent lamp turns on, limiting the current. Capacitors and diodes of the rectifier bridge should be selected with a margin of allowable voltage. When LDS is fed through a rectifier, the bulb on one side will soon begin to darken. In this case, you need to change the polarity of the power supply.

Daylight without a choke, where an active load is used instead, gives a weak brightness.

If you install a throttle instead of an incandescent lamp, the lamp will glow noticeably stronger.

Throttle check

When the LDS is off, the reason lies in the malfunction of the wiring, the lamp itself, the starter or the throttle. Simple causes are identified by the tester. Before checking the fluorescent lamp inductor with a multimeter, turn off the voltage and discharge the capacitors. Then the switch of the device is set to the continuity mode or to the minimum resistance measurement limit and the following are determined:

• integrity of the coil winding;
• electrical resistance of the winding;
• interturn circuit;
• break in the coil winding.

The reviews suggest checking the throttle by connecting it to the network through an incandescent lamp. When it burns brightly, and serviceable - half full.

If a malfunction is detected, the throttle is easier to replace, since repairs can be more expensive.

Most often, the starter fails in the circuit. To check its performance, a known-good one is connected instead. If the lamp does not light up, then the reason is different.

The inductor is also checked using a working lamp by connecting two wires from it to its base. If the lamp lights up brightly, then the throttle is operational.

Conclusion

The inductor for fluorescent lamps is being improved in the direction of improvement specifications. Electronic devices begin to displace electromagnetic. At the same time, old versions of the models continue to be used due to their simplicity and low price. It is necessary to understand the whole variety of types, to operate and connect them correctly.

Fluorescent lamp

Fluorescent lamps (abbreviated as LDS) have occupied a worthy niche in the electric lighting market due to their efficiency and high performance.

Various modifications of the LDS have appeared that make it possible to improve lamp starters (electronic ballasts), minimize the size of lamps, and make compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) by combining the bulb and the electrical board in one housing.

These lighting electrical appliances are significantly more expensive than conventional incandescent bulbs, therefore, if fluorescent lamps fail, you should think about their repair and restoration.

The principle of operation of fluorescent light sources, their connection and replacement are described in detail in the previous one, and you can learn about the types, advantages and benefits of fluorescent energy-saving lamps by clicking on this one. Here the main malfunctions of fluorescent lamps, methods for extending the life of the LDS and the possibility of repairing ballasts (ballasts) will be described.

Causes of malfunctions of fluorescent lamps

It is worth briefly describing the interaction of the components of a fluorescent lamp - the lamp itself cannot work without a ballast (ballast), which can be electromagnetic ( empra) in the form of a throttle and starter, and electronic ( electronic ballast), in which the physical conditions for the launch and glow of the light source are provided by radio-electronic components.

Accordingly, the cause of a non-working lamp may be a malfunction, both in the electronic circuit of the ballast, and aging, wear and burnout of the lamp itself. The correct determination of the causes will allow you to repair a broken fluorescent lamp with your own hands.

Flashing lamp as a sign of problems

Unlike conventional incandescent bulbs, which stop working (burn out) instantly and always unexpectedly, the imminent wear of a fluorescent light bulb can be determined by the way it blinks (blinks) during start-up. This process indicates changes in the chemical composition of the glowing gas (degeneration of mercury vapor) as well as burnout of the electrodes.

As a rule, a fluorescent lamp blinks, in which blackening is observed from the ends - this soot indicates the burnout of the spiral and the irreversible chemical processes occurring inside the bulb - such a light source cannot be repaired, but its service life can be extended.

Very often, the fluorescent lamp blinks due to malfunctions in the ECG or electronic ballast. Replacing the lamp with a new one will accurately determine the cause of the blinking

But do not throw away the old lamp. First, it must be disposed of in accordance with state laws, since there are harmful mercury vapors inside the flask.

Secondly, even if the filaments are burned out, you can extend the service life given source light, using a simple circuit that you can solder with your own hands, or by connecting the lamp to an electronic ballast with a cold start, closing the contact leads, as shown in the video:

Sometimes even a serviceable fluorescent lamp blinks at startup due to a series of unfavorable starting circumstances - the starter circuit breaks when the sinusoid passes zero, due to which the induction voltage surge is insufficient to ionize the gas inside the bulb.

For a similar reason, the fluorescent lamp flashes at the start due to low mains voltage. During operation, if the voltage surges do not exceed the permissible limits, a working fluorescent lamp should not blink - the ballast maintains the current in the gas at the same level.

Repair of fluorescent lamps

The repair algorithm for a flashing fluorescent lamp occurs in stages:

• The mains voltage and the quality of the connection contacts are checked;
• The lamp is replaced with a working one;
• If the lamp continues to blink:
  • in lamps with EMPRA, you need to change the starter and check the throttle (ballast);
  • in daylight sources with electronic ballast, repair or replacement of electronic ballast is necessary;

Checking and repairing ballasts, as well as extending the life of a worn lamp, requires radio engineering knowledge and appropriate tools such as a multimeter, soldering iron, screwdriver set, etc.

electromagnetic ballast

Since a fluorescent lamp with an ECG is quite simple, after replacing the lamp and starter, the repair algorithm consists of the following steps:

Electronic ballast

At different manufacturers electronic ballast electronic circuits differ, but, in general, their principle of operation is the same - the filaments of fluorescent lamps have a certain inductance, which allows them to be included in a self-oscillating circuit consisting of capacitors and coils. This circuit has feedback with an inverter assembled on powerful transistor switches.

When the filaments are heated, their resistance increases, the oscillation characteristics change, to which the inverter reacts, giving out the ignition voltage of the lamp. The current through the ionized gas shunts the voltage on the filaments, reducing their incandescence. Feedback inverter with a self-oscillating circuit allows you to adjust the current in the lamp.

To power the inverter, a diode rectifier with a filtering and noise smoothing system is used. The high-frequency inverter is one of the reasons for the great popularity of electronic ballasts - the connected lamp does not blink at twice the mains frequency of 100 Hz, and does not buzz during operation, as happens when using ballasts.

Repair of electronic ballast

Most radio amateurs do not set out to understand the purpose and function of each element of the circuit, especially if it is not possible to check the characteristics in operation. Therefore, it will be much more useful to describe the sequence of actions during the repair.

To diagnose electronic ballasts in repair shops, an oscilloscope, frequency generators and other measuring equipment are used. At home, the ability to find faulty components comes down to visual inspection electronic board and sequential search for a burned-out part using the available measuring tools.

The first step is to check the fuse, if it is present in the circuit. A blown fuse may be the only problem that has arisen due to overvoltage in the network. But more often, a blown fuse, as a rule, indicates more complex malfunctions of the fluorescent lamp ballast.

As practice shows, any components in an electronic ballast can fail - capacitors, resistors, transistors, diodes, chokes and transformers. You can visually determine the malfunction by the characteristic blackening of parts, a change in the color of the board, or swelling of capacitors, as shown in the video:

For checking parts with a multimeter (especially transistors and diodes), they are better solder from the board - the resistance of other circuit elements may give false measurement readings. Without soldering the parts, they can be guaranteed to be checked only for breakdown. When checking parts, there may be a problem with their identification, therefore, it will be useful for repairs to first download the device diagram.

A defective item is found to be replaced. Solder semiconductor devices- Diodes and transistors should be taken with extreme caution - they are sensitive to overheating. It should be remembered that it is impossible to start the electronic ballast without load, that is, you need to connect a fluorescent lamp of the appropriate power to it.

Homemade electronic ballast

Many radio amateurs are switching from CMP by making homemade electronic ballast for fluorescent daylight sources. Scheme of electronic ballast with measured in control points oscillograms is shown in the figure:

The figure below shows the waveform at the time of starting (ignition) of a fluorescent lamp, and also shows a drawing of the printed circuit board and appearance electronic control gear.

In the video below, the master who made this electronic ballast indicates the main features of the hand-made manufacture of this device:

Extending the life of a fluorescent lamp

Already during the beginning of the mass operation of fluorescent lamps, radio amateurs learned how to extend their service life and forced fluorescent lamps to light up, in which the incandescent filaments burned out. Ignition was provided by voltage increase applied to the electrodes of the lamp.

The voltage increase is carried out according to the scheme with a full-wave multiplier on diodes and capacitors. Thus, at the moment of starting, a peak voltage of over 1000 V is reached on the lamp electrodes, which is sufficient for cold ionization of mercury vapor and the occurrence of a discharge in the bulb gas. Therefore, it is possible to ignite and stable work lamps even with burned out coils.

The main disadvantage of this circuit for starting fluorescent lamps is the large rated voltage of the capacitors - not less than 600 V which makes the device very bulky. Another disadvantage is the direct current, which will cause mercury vapor to accumulate near the anode, so the lamp will need to be periodically switched, removed from the holders and wrapped.

The resistor performs the function of limiting the current, otherwise the lamp may explode. The resistor can be wound with your own hands using nichrome wire, but the same results are obtained by a properly selected incandescent lamp, in which the dissipated thermal energy will not be wasted, but will be released in the form of an additional glow of the light bulb.

In most cases, radio amateurs use 127 V incandescent lamps with a power of 25-150 W instead of a resistor, combining them if necessary. The power of the lamp connected instead of the resistor must be several times higher than the power of the connected fluorescent lamp. The ratings of other elements, calculated based on the power of the fluorescent lamp, are indicated in the table.

In this table, the required resistance and power of a diffusing lamp is achieved by connecting several 127 V bulbs in parallel. Diodes can be replaced with imported ones with similar characteristics. Capacitors must withstand a voltage of at least 600 V.

Fluorescent lamps, also called fluorescent lamps, have found their wide application due to the large number of advantages over conventional incandescent lamps. Their main advantage lies in efficiency, since, unlike standard incandescent bulbs, they practically do not heat up. It is known that in conventional lamps a huge amount of energy is converted into heat that no one needs.

One of the advantages of fluorescent light bulbs is the ability to independently choose the color spectrum. The most popular lamps are white, which are called cold colors. However, many people like warm tones, approaching in their qualities to sunlight.

Lamp connection options

The connection diagram of a fluorescent lamp is directly related to its device. The main components of a classic fluorescent light bulb are the luminous element itself, the starting element - the starter and, finally, the throttle. The composition of the lamp includes a flask filled with mercury vapor. Along the edges, on both sides, are filaments made of tungsten. The inner surface of the glass flask is coated with a special substance - a phosphor.

The main functions of the lamp elements

The function of the throttle is to generate a high voltage pulse at the very beginning of the ignition of the light bulb. The main purpose of the starter is to break and connect the circuit. It consists of a condenser and a flask filled with an inert gas. Inside the flask there are two contacts - bimetallic and metal. The applied voltage, acting on the bimetallic contact, heats it. As a result, there is a change in shape and subsequent contact with a metal contact. Ultimately, the circuit closes and the light turns on. All these processes are closely interconnected.

When the circuit is closed by the switch, voltage is supplied to the starter. After the circuit, in the light bulb itself, the tungsten spirals are heated. After heating and the beginning of photoelectronic emission, the starter comes to the off state. At the moment the starter is turned off, the throttle comes into action, after which, as a result of the impulse, an electric arc discharge is formed inside. Thus, the lamp is turned on. The phosphor, in turn, converts the invisible ultraviolet into the visible part of the spectrum.

The choke circuit for connecting a fluorescent lamp is the simplest and most common. However, at present, many variants of circuits without the use of a choke have been developed. Fluorescent lamp circuits are constantly evolving and improving.

Connecting two lamps through one choke