DALI Low Cost Dimming Electronic Ballast
(DDEB)


                                                                                               

Lumenergi, Inc.

  Making the value of light brilliantly clear
 

8371 Central Avenue, Building “B”, Newark, CA  94560

1.775.356.3600  1.866.325.1940 fax

bill@lumenergi.com

Contact: W. R. ‘Bill’ Alling

 

Revised – 18 Apr 08



Document
DDEB General Specifications
iB-100 a World Class DEB


iB-100 Dimming Electronic Ballast (DEB) Specification
Questions? contact Bill Alling at
1.775.356.3600 fax 1.775.356.3687
 email  bill@lumenergi.com
15 Apr 08 rev 1.04 (subject to further revisions)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Scope and Purpose
1.1 Minimum Requirements
1.2 General Description
1.3 Applicable Documents
1.4 Measurements

2. Ballast Input Requirements
2.1 Input Line Voltage
2.2 Line Frequency
2.3 Power Factor
2.4 Input Current
2.5 Inrush Current
2.6 Input Power
2.7 Harmonic Distortion
2.8 Input Transient Protection
2.9 Electromagnetic Compatibility
2.10 Line Regulation
2.11 Line Fusing
2.12 Class P Protector

3.0 Ballast Output Characteristics
3.1 Starting mode
3.2 Operating mode
3.3 Other

4.0 Reliability
4.1 Design life
4.2 Lamp life

5.0 Physical characteristics and marking
5.1 Ballast size and leads
5.2 Labeling

6.0 Approvals
6.1 UL
6.2 Energy certifications
6.3 FCC

7.0 Controls
7.1 Task Tuning
7.2 External or Remote Control

8.0 Other
8.1 Maintainability
8.2 Qualification testing
8.3 Environmental

SECTION I. Scope and Purpose:

1.1 This specification details the minimum requirements for a full function solid state (electronic) fluorescent ballast developed by and marketed under the band name Lumenergi model iB-100 (formerly the ST-100).

1.2 All iB-100 ballasts are full range (100-10%) dimming ballasts designed to operate multiple types of fluorescent lamps with a world input voltage range of 105-305 VAC or DC and 50/60 Hz. The ballasts are  programmed start/rapid start in nature and use an electronic  power factor correcting input which keeps line  harmonic distortion under 20%. The ballasts may also be configured to operate instant start lamps when desired.

1.3 Applicable Documents

1.3.1 UL Standard 935, use latest revision
1.3.2 CFR 47 part 15 & 18
1.3.3 ANSI C62.41 (IEEE 587)
1.3.4 ANSI C78.1, C82.1, C82.2, C82.3
1.3.5 MIL-HDBK-217E

1.4 All performance data contained herein shall be measured at the nominal line voltage of 117 or 277 volts and at 50/60 Hz. (+ 1 Hz.).


SECTION II. Ballast Input Requirements:

2.1. Line Voltage (center rated voltage):

The ballast input line voltage shall be  capable of operating on a nominal line voltage input of 117, 127 and 220-240, 250 or 277 VAC, single phase. The ballast is required to properly start and operate the lamp over the entire range of input voltage using both new and old lamps, at an ambient temperature between 10° C and 40° C without degradation in ballast performance or life.   Note that the 10-40 degree centigrade requirement is generally imposed by the lamp manufacturers.  However, the ST-100 ballast will start and operate the lamps over a wider temperature range if the lamp is so rated.

2.2. Line Frequency:

The line frequency shall be center rated at 50 or 60 Hz. However, the ballast shall operate from DC (0 Hz) and from 45 to 1,000 Hz. when appropriate, such as in back up power systems.  The DC input voltage can be a low as 48 volts which will drive the ballast/lamps at the equivalent of one lamp at full power (light). When driving 3 lamps each will be lit at one third power and when driving two lamps each will be lit at half power.

2.3. Power Factor:

Ballast power factor (P.F.) shall be a minimum of 0.97 + 5% at Center rated line voltage and frequency. Power factor shall be determined as follows:


                        P.F. = True input power
                                                V*A

Power factor is not to be determined by phase angle techniques.

2.4 Input Current:

Ballast input current shall be essentially sinusoidal in nature over the entire range of voltage specified in 2.1 with both the positive and negative halves of the cycle displaying essentially the same wave form and magnitude.

2.5 Inrush Current

At rated input voltage, the ballast in rush current shall not exceed 110% of the stabilized operating current when averaged over the first twenty cycles of input current.

2.6 Input Power:

For the purpose of this section, the ballast and lamp shall be operated in an open strip type fixture in a 25°C ambient environment. The ballast and lamp should be operated for a minimum of 30 minutes or until stable operation is observed (whichever is longer) before measurements are taken. Typical ballast input power for various lamps are listed in Table 2-1.

TABLE 2-1

TYPICAL BALLAST INPUT POWER

Number and type of lamps versus maximum input power which generates a ballast factor (bf) of 1.20  for the T12 and T8 lamps.

            3 F40T12                     -           115
            3 F32T8                       -           115
            2 F54T5                       -           115

NOTES:

- Nominal input power variation shall not exceed + 4% when operated with ballasts which are manufactured with center rated component values and with seasoned reference lamps.

- The ballast may also operate other types of lamps as well those listed above. Call the factory for more information on other lamps which can be utilized with the ST-100.

- The ballast shall contain lamp end of life circuitry to reduce the lamp power as the end of life is reached.

2.7 Harmonic Distortion:

At center rated line input voltage and frequency and with all lamps operating at maximum output the ballast input current THD shall not exceed ~10%.

2.8 Input Transient Protection:

The ballast shall be capable of withstanding three (3) line voltage or current surges spaced one minute apart as defined in ANSI C62.41-1980 category ?A?. In addition the ballast should not present a subsequent safety or shock hazard when tested to the point of failure by raising the voltage or current surge level.

2.9 Electromagnetic Compatibility:

2.9.1 Conducted Emissions;

The ballast, at a minimum, shall meet the requirements of U.S.A.  FCC CFR 47 Part 18 for non-consumer equipment (RF Lighting devices) when operated at its rated line voltage. It is highly desirable to meet the more stringent requirements for consumer (residential) equipment shown in 18.307 (c) and the requirements of VDE Class B.

2.9.2 Radiated Emissions;

The ballast, at a minimum, shall meet the requirements of FCC CFR 47 Part 15 Subpart J - Computing Devices Section 15.831 Class "B" with regards to radiated emissions. It is highly desirable to meet the more stringent Part A requirements Section 15.830 and the requirements of VDE Class B.

2.9.3 Susceptibility;

The ballasts shall be insensitive to noise and conducted emissions from other equipment on the same branch power line, provided however, that other equipment on the branch power circuit shall comply with Sections 2.8.1 and 2.8.2 above.

2.9.4    CE Marking

The ballast shall be tested to CE standards and be marked as CE compliant.

2.10 Line Regulation:

Input power shall not change more than +/- 4% for a change in power when the rated line input voltage is varied over the entire operating range (105 to 305 volts or 105 to 220 and 220 to 305 VAC as appropriate).

2.11 Line fusing:

Each ballasts shall contain a fuse or fusible link to protect the power line distribution circuit breaker or branch circuit fuse.

2.12 Class "P" Protector:

The ballasts must meet the UL requirements for a Class "P" ballast whereas when the internal ballast temperature reaches 90 degrees C it shall automatically turn off or reduce power to maintain a safe temperature.

SECTION III. Ballast Output Characteristics:

3.1 Starting Mode:

3.1.1. Starting Voltage:

The ballast shall reliably start the lamp over the entire range of input voltages specified in Section 2.1.

3.1.2. Starting Temperature:

Over the entire range of line input voltage specified in 2.1, the ballasts shall start 98% of the lamps at an ambient lamp temperature between 10° C. and 35° C. with a grounded lamp starting aid. Between 35° C. and 51.6° C. the lamps shall be required to successfully start at nominal line voltage. Below 10° C. starting may be unsatisfactory for any value of input voltage; however, depending on the particular lamp type and manufacturer the ballast shall start the lamps at -20o C.  Note:  lamp starting is possible below -20o C with special lamp treatments such as covering jackets, warmers etc.

3.1.3. Rapid Start/Programmed Start Mode:

The ballasts shall start the lamps in the Programmed Start mode unless otherwise specified. An appropriate amount of voltage shall be applied across the lamp heaters (filaments) until the heater/cathodes have reached their proper operating temperatures. Once this temperature is reached the full striking voltage shall be applied across the lamps to minimize the glow current referred to in 3.1.4 below. Proper starting operation of the lamp/ballast shall occur when the appropriate cathode starting RC/RH values have been reached.  At full light output the cathode voltage shall be reduced to approximately 0 volts once lamp stabilization has occurred.  At about 60% light output the cathode voltage shall be returned to the lamp and thenceforth the filaments voltage shall be proportionately increased as lamp light output is reduced reaching maximum cathode voltage at minimum light output.

3.1.4. Glow Current:

Glow current is that current which flows through the lamp after initial application of voltage to the lamp but before the lamp ignites. The glow current shall not exceed 15 ma. RMS or 25 ma Peak under any circumstances. NOTE: glow current should be reduced to the absolute minimum necessary and if possible should be held to a level below 10 ma Peak.

3.1.5. Starting Safety:

The ballast shall not attempt to start the lamp(s) if the number of lamps the fixture is wired for are not present in the fixture. This means that the high striking voltage shall not appear on unconnected lamp socket pins.

3.1.6. Starting Time:

The time required from the application of power to the ballast to lamp ignition shall be determined by the type of lamp employed and the ambient temperature but shall not exceed 1.5 seconds. For this test the lamps shall be cooled to an ambient temperature of 25°C.

3.1.7. No Load Operation:

The ballasts shall be capable of being line powered continuously with the lamp(s) removed, or with the lamp operating in the "diode" mode, over the entire range of voltage specified in 2.1 without ballast failure.

3.1.8. Non-Standard Loads:

The ballasts must not present a safety hazard when non-standard lamps are used with the ballast.  Non standard lamps are considered abnormal.

3.1.9. Lamp Operating Frequency:

The ballast lamp drive frequency shall be within 55 to 110 Khz under all conditions when the lamps are lit.

3.1.10. Ground Plane:

The ballast must reliably start and operate 98% of the lamps when the line voltage is varied in accordance with that specified in 2.1 with a grounded starting aid (ground plane) located from 1/16 inch to 1.0 inch away from the lamp. The ground plane width shall be at least 1.5 inches.

3.1.11. Open Circuit Voltage:

The ballast shall sense an open circuit and reduce the open circuit voltage to those values acceptable to UL or other similar safety organizations for operation without a power line isolated output.

3.2 Operating Mode:

3.2.1 Lamp Operating Current

At the lamp manufacturers full light output lamp rating, operating currents shall be as specified by the individual lamp manufacturer for each lamp the particular ballast is configured to operate. The lamp currents specified shall be within  + 7.5% and will be measured after the ballast and lamps have achieved stabilization in an open fixture. However, the ballast shall be capable of providing 112% of the manufacturers rated lamp lumens without degrading lamp performance.


3.2.2 Full Range Dimming:

The ballast shall be capable of operating the lamps without noticeable flicker from 100% of full rated current to as low as 10% of full rated current.  The percent of flicker content shall be less than 5%.

3.2.3 Lamp Failure Modes:

Operation with one or more lamps removed for extended periods of time (>3,000 hours) shall not cause premature ballast failure.

3.2.4 Lamp Current Crest Factor:

The ratio of the peak of the lamp drive current to the RMS value (the lamp current crest factor) shall not exceed 1.7 when measured over at least a 30 millisecond period.

3.2.5 Lamp Current Modulation:

The lamp drive shall have a maximum amplitude modulated component of  5%.  In addition the ballast may exhibit a slight FM modulation (frequency dither) which shall not be noticeable to the eye.

3.2.6 Light Output Regulation:

The ballast/lamp light output shall not vary more than + 2% for any change in line voltage input at 40 degrees C lamp wall temperature.

3.2.7 Lamp DC Component:

No DC lamp current component or offset shall be allowed.

3.2.8 Light Output (Ballast Factor):

All ballasts must, at a minimum,  meet the requirements of Table 6 "Tolerances of Minimum Lamp Light Output" contained in ANSI C82.1-1985 attached as Exhibit "A" (see Table 2.1 above for additional performance details).

3.3 Other:

3.3.1 Ballast efficiency shall be 94% or better at full output. A non inductive power resistor may be used for this test where:

            efficiency = Power to lamps/resistor
                                    Power input

3.3.2 Audible Noise:

Ballast audible noise shall not exceed 28db (Ballast sound rating of "A") under all operating conditions.

3.3.3 Potting Material:

No potting material shall be used.

SECTION IV. Reliability:

4.1 Design Life:

The ballasts shall be designed for a minimum MTBF of 100,000 hours at a 40 degree C. ambient environment. The minimum useful life shall be 45,000 hours. End of life shall be defined as that point where the failure rate exceeds 1% per 1,000 hours of operation.

4.2 Lamp Life:

The ballast shall provide the same or better lamp life when compared to a standard magnetic core and coil ballast operated on a three hour on twenty minute off cycle and significantly better lamp life when operated on a ten hour on twenty minute off cycle. In addition lamp life shall not be reduced when the lamps are cycled for 15,000 cycles on a 1 minute on 1 minute off basis.


SECTION V. Physical Characteristics, Marking, and Packaging Requirements:

5.1 Ballast Size and Leads:

5.1.1 The ballasts shall be housed in a steel container formed from flat black enamel painted or coated stock and have maximum dimensions as determined by the intended application and the lamps to be driven.


5.1.2 The ballasts shall have poke in type lead terminations mounted on the housing. A separate telephone type RJ-45 connector may be used to connect the various control leads, when implemented, as discussed in Section VII. When flying leads are employed, the color coding of the ballast leads shall conform to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specification C82.1 (latest revision). Lead lengths shall be as specified for the specific application.

NOTES:           1. All leads stripped 0.5 inches
                       2. Lead tolerance is +2 -1 inch.

5.1.3 All ballast leads, when required, except green shall be #18 gauge solid copper tinned wire. Insulation shall be minimum 600 volts 105 degree C UL-1015 approved wire. The green wire, when required, shall be #18 gauge stranded and be terminated in a tooth star ring lug.

5.2 Labeling:

The following is the minimum ballast labeling requirement:

            Name of Manufacturer i.e.         
            Location of Manufacture
            Model Number or Catalog Number
            Input voltage and frequency
            Sound Rating 
            UL Listing Mark and number
            Minimum lamp starting temperature
            Number of lamps & type of lamps which can be used
            Nominal input wattage at center voltage for each lamp type
            Nominal input current at center voltage
            Power Factor
            Ballast/lamp wiring diagram
            FCC identification number
            CLASS "P"
            Caution notice if appropriate

In addition, the ballast label shall contain the statement that "NO PCB's" are used in the manufacture of the ballast.

SECTION VI. Regulatory and Other Approvals:

6.1 Underwriters Laboratory Inc. - All ballasts must meet the requirements of UL 935 "Standard for Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts, latest edition, and be recognized for the intended application.

6.2 Energy Certification - All ballasts must meet the minimum ballast certification criteria established by the California, New York, Florida, and Connecticut Energy Commissions for Ballast Efficiency Factor (BEF) and be eligible for certification as appropriate.

6.3 Federal Communications Commission - All ballasts must meet the requirements of FCC Part 15 & 18 (see Section 2.8 above).6.4  The ballast shall conform to and be marked with the CE mark.

SECTION VII Controls:

7.1 Task Tuning

DEFINITION: "Task Tuning" is defined as setting the right amount of light for the task illuminated by the fixture containing the lamps driven by a particular ballast and may be accomplished as follows:

7.1.1 There shall be a adjustment means provided on the ballast proper that may be accessed by a screw driver or similar device to set the maximum light level suitable for the task illuminated.

7.1.2 On ballasts specified with a external IR control there shall be supplied with the ballast a 15" length of fiber optic pick up cable (length is optional) which can be routed to protrude slightly from the ceiling. It shall then be possible for the user or maintenance personnel to remotely control the operation of each individual ballast with an optional IR transmitter such as used to remotely control television sets. Operational control  includes setting the maximum light for a task and full range dimming and the ability to override the control discussed in Section 7.2.1

7.2 External or Remote Control

Each ballast may be manufactured with an appropriate connector, where required,  to accomplish external or remote control of the operation of the ballast. The following connections shall be available though this connector and each iB-100 series ballast shall be capable of automatically interpreting the following control signals and dimming appropriately:

7.2.1       0-10 Volt control
7.2.2       Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Control of Light Output

DEFINITION:  PWM - A remote control signal that is isolated from the power line shall be used to set the light output. The signal shall be digital in nature and shall be either on (high or +6  to +12 volts) or off (low meaning less than 0.8 volts). The ratio of the on to off time or the mark space ratio will determine the maximum lamp brightness. Thus a 50/50 square wave duty cycle will result in 50% maximum light output. The term ’maximum light output“ is used because the light output may also be controlled be other factors such the manual adjustment for task tuning (see section 7.1). Thus if the manual adjustment is set for 50% and the remote control requires 50%, then the light output will be 50% of 50% or 25%.

7.2.3        Infra-red (IR) control as discussed in 7.1.2.
7.2.4        Power Line Carrier (PLC) Control

The control element of the ballast shall monitor the power line in order to detect other types of control signals placed on the power line. The ballast shall be capable of responding to any standard type of power line carrier control signal provided the format of such signal is supplied to the ballast manufacture.

7.2.5         DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface)
 A standard DALI interface shall be provided by means of an RJ-25 telephone connector.  The signal shall conform to standard DALI protocols please see www.dali-ag.org for details.


SECTION VIII. Other:

8.1 Maintainability:

Ballasts are not field repairable

8.2 Qualification Ballasts must meet the First Article Test Requirements contained in Procedure [TBD] for vibration, mechanical, and electrical stability.

8.3 Environmental:

8.3.1 Storage:

Ballasts shall be capable of being stored for extended periods of time at ambient temperatures of between -30°C. and 66° C. and at altitudes up to 15,000 feet.

8.3.2 Rust and Corrosion:

The Ballasts shall capable of withstanding a relative humidity of 90% at 32°C for one week without evidence of significant paint deterioration, rust or corrosion on any visible surface.

8.3.3 Operating Temperatures:

The ballast shall be designed to operate reliably in a 0 to 45°C. ambient environment. While the normal temperatures outside the fixture are approximately 20-25°C., the ballasts are usually mounted in an airtight compartment located near the fluorescent lamps. Accordingly the ambient temperature adjacent to the ballast compartment can reach 35-40° C under some conditions which when added to the heat generated by the ballasts can add another 5-10° C to the ballast compartment (depending on the efficiency of the ballast). Additionally, while most lamps have a minimum starting temperature of 10-15° C, some ballasts have application outdoors where the temperatures can drop below these values and require reliable starting at these low temperatures.

8.3.4 Additional outputs

When specified, the ballast can supply an additional voltage output to power external equipment such as photo sensor modules, occupancy detectors, external relays and the like. Voltage availability shall be specified as +12 volts DC @ 25 ma.
             8.3.5   Non-volatile Memory
              The iB-100 shall contain provisions to remember all key control inputs such as ballast address, previous light levels etc. in the event of a power interruption or failure.

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