End of Lamp Life Protection ????

[mjc]

Hi guys, went on a sevice call today and replaced a ballast in a flouresent fixture that stopped working. the ballast was a Sunpark , model #SL5, 120volt /60hz electronic ballast. On the mfgrs label was this info:
* class p
* sound rating A
* mid power factor
* min start temp. -10 degrees F
* End of Lamp Life Protection

My question is : What does 'End of Lamp Life Protection' really mean? please help

Mike -- Romeo, MI

 

[bphgravity]

Re: End of Lamp Life Protection ????

The end-of-lamp-life protection detects wear in the lamp filament by sensing voltage shift and shuts the lamp down when it exceeds preset limits. This reduces the possibility of a lamp fire and/or explosion as the filament gets weak.

 

[peter d]

Re: End of Lamp Life Protection ????

I am purely guessing here, but I believe it is a current limiting feature that prevents the lamp from exploding when it's ready to die.

I think that's why T-8s go "dark" when they burn out, rather than slightly flicker that magnetic ballasted lamps do at the end of their life.

 

[mjc]

Re: End of Lamp Life Protection ????

Hi again , This is the type of protection I thought the ballast was talking about. Just had to ask someone else.

Thanks for the replies, Mike -- Romeo,MI

[ January 04, 2005, 08:02 PM: Message edited by: mjc ]

 

[hbiss]

Re: End of Lamp Life Protection ????

Then again it could be that the ballast is protected from damage due to end of lamp life conditions.

-Hal