How to choose an ignition unit for metal halide lamps

Thanks to the eloquent and sometimes intrusive advertising of LED lighting, the latter is confidently being introduced into our lives. That's right, we must keep up with progress. Only for the sake of this progress, often, one has to sacrifice the quality of light, its ability to convey the true color of the illuminated material.

Somewhere this is permissible, and somewhere absolutely not. For example, in the field of professional lighting of goods in stores, fashion boutiques, etc. The “right” light will make the product more attractive and contribute to a faster purchase (especially if the competitors have antediluvian raster lamps behind the wall).

If we take into account the fact that young entrepreneurs are not ready to spend money on really high-quality, and therefore expensive LED lamps, and the specifics of products require better light, then the only right decision would be to use metal halide lamps.

Assembled, albeit in an inexpensive Chinese case, but with the use of high-quality components, such lamps will provide excellent light at low initial cost.

Nevertheless, such lamps have features and that these features do not turn into “minuses” in the eyes of those who come across them for the first time to help this article.

Features of using various types of ignition blocks (ballasts)

Any arc discharge lamp requires its ignition unit. For MGL there are two types of them: electronic (electronic ballasts) and electromagnetic (electromagnetic ballasts). In some fixtures, it is possible to use only one of the types, and in some of both.

For example, in track spotlights, accent lighting is used in the vast majority only electronic ballasts (morally obsolete models of the 20th century are not taken into account). In recessed luminaires for ceilings, grillattos and GKL are both types. In pendant lamps of the dome type ("bells") of more than 150 W - EMPRA.

There are two reasons for this selectivity: the dimensions of the blocks and the temperature limit of the electronic ballasts. Explaining the above examples, we add: only electronic ballasts are included in track lights due to their smaller dimensions, EMRs are placed in powerful "bells", and recessed lamps "no difference".

In the passport to the lamps, the possibility of using one or another type of block is prescribed.

What is better electronic or electromagnetic ballasts?

High-quality branded electronic ballasts manufactured by Osram and Philips have a higher price than electronic ballasts of various manufacturers. The price is especially high for powerful electronic ballasts at 150 and 250 watts.

Customer overpays for:

• long life of these electronic units.

For example, Osram has two modifications of electronic ballasts: more expensive, more reliable - Powertronic PTi and cheaper and, accordingly, simpler - Powertronic PT-fit. The manufacturer claims a life of 30,000 hours even for the economy version (PT-fit) of the electronic unit, which for about 10 hours every day will be approximately 8 years.

The electromagnetic EMPRA block consists of several separate components placed in one casing. One of these components, which act as a starter and which is called an IZU, has a lifespan limited by a certain number of lamp starts. If the lamp has fallen into disrepair, then the cheapest, and therefore the more common and commercially available IZUs will fail along with the lamp. Thus, change the burned out lamp in the fixtures with EMPR - change also the IZU.

Although its cost is low, the cost of replacing it will be more significant.

• lower power consumption.

Ignition units are also consumers of electricity. The electronic unit, depending on its model and lamp model, can consume 10%, and the electromagnetic unit with the same lamp - 20% of the lamp power.

• higher light output of the lamp.

New lamps powered by electronic ballasts and electronic ballasts shine almost equally brightly, but thanks to the "smart" stuffing of electronic components, by the middle of their lives a lamp powered by electronic ballasts will shine 5% brighter than the same lamp, but powered by electronic ballasts. By the end of their lives, the difference is 10%.

• lack of discomfort associated with blinking, crackling, changing the color of the glow of the lamp, the working life of which has come to an end. Electronic components for lamps turn off such a lamp. Electromagnetic "to the stop" trying to ignite it, they themselves often burn out.

Proper installation of ballasts is needed

To get the advantages described above, you need to follow certain requirements when installing fixtures with electronic components:

• Electronic ballasts should not overheat. Do not place such blocks directly on (above) the lights.

The "advanced" Powertronic PTi has a higher safety margin, but nonetheless ....

• at the same time, the cable length between the lamp and the unit should not exceed 1.5 m.

• the maximum number of luminaires connected to one circuit breaker must not exceed certain values. So for the most popular 70 W units, their maximum number is 13 pcs for the “automatic machine” 16A type B.

• Despite the function to turn off a faulty lamp, it should be replaced in a timely manner. The fact is that the electronic ballasts will try to “start” it for 20 minutes and only then turn off the voltage on it until the next morning, i.e. turning on automatic power to the group. Superfluous overloads even to the good block "to anything".

If you decide to assemble the ignition unit yourself

A few words for those who are interested in powerful 250 and 400 W units.

As mentioned above, the price of powerful electronic components is very expensive. Entrepreneurs can afford them, but there are also other categories of citizens, for example, gardeners-lovers of greenhouse crop production. Their winter parsley needs a lot of bright light and they are ready to independently assemble a circuit, for example, a 250 W unit.

You need to know that the power of each component of the block, such as a choke, is not the only parameter. Even if you see in the passport that this type is suitable for metal halide lamps, keep in mind that there is still an important parameter - current.

At a power of 250 W, there are 3 A chokes (the most common) and 2.15 A. chokes. Look at the lamp passport. The currents must be identical. If you mix it up, a "light dance" with a lamp and throttle overload will begin.

That, perhaps, was all I wanted to say on the topic of ignition devices for MGL.