Induction Lighting

Induction lamps are one of the newest energy-saving lighting technologies developed in recent years. Induction lighting is based on a technology that is fundamentally different from that of traditional lighting products, such as fluorescent or high-intensity discharge (HID). With no filaments and electrodes to burn out, these unique lamps can last up to 100,000 hours, making them virtually maintenance-free!

How Induction Lighting Works

Electromagnetic transformers, consisting of ferrite rings with metal coils, create an electromagnetic field around a gas-filled tube, using a high frequency that is generated by electronic ballast. The discharge path, induced by the coils, forms a closed loop causing acceleration of free electrons, which collide with mercury atoms and excite the electrons. As the excited electrons from these atoms fall back from this higher energy state to a lower stable level, they emit ultraviolet radiation. The UV radiation created is converted to visible light as it passes through a phosphor coating on the surface of the tube. The shape of the induction lamp maximizes the efficiency of the fields that are generated.

High Frequency Electronic Ballast

The ballast generates the high frequency current that drives the inductively coupled discharge. The ballast contains an integrated circuit (IC) chip, which controls the operating frequency and allows the electrode less fluorescent lamp to work properly with a ballast power factor of up to .99 for lower power consumption. This control feature is especially beneficial where fluctuations in the power supply are more than 10% of rated voltage. The ballast also meets EMC requirements, and the circuit board is designed to resist dust, humidity and corrosion.