Comparison between electromagnetic and electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps in terms of power quality

Blume Mario, Conte Federico, Marzano Ezequiel, Alonso Velo

Conventional lighting systems with an electronic control gear significantly improve energy efficiency when comparing the energy consumed by lighting appliances equipped this auxiliary device to conventional electromagnetic ballasts. However, electronic equipments generate disturbances in the grid which diminish the quality of the electric power of the network. The objective of the present study was to compare the harmonic distortion of electromagnetic and electronic ballasts. It is concluded that electronic ballasts cause a higher perturbation in the electrical power supply.