Electronic Ballast Time-Sharing Startup Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The simultaneous starting of multiple electronic ballasts in parallel causes a short-term voltage drop in the power grid, leading to damage in over 40% of the ballasts due to heavy current and line impedance, resulting in a vicious circle of voltage drop and grid instability.
Innovation Solution
A method for time-sharing starting of electronic ballasts involving real-time temperature detection, normalization processing, and a digital delay switch that sets a delay time based on environmental temperature, allowing each ballast to start at different times, reducing the current impact on the power grid and minimizing voltage drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple electronic ballasts are started simultaneously when the power grid is energized, then all ballasts can start working at the same time, but heavy current causes voltage drop and damages the ballasts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the simultaneous startup process into sequential time slots by introducing delay times for different ballasts. Each ballast is assigned a unique delay time based on its temperature, dividing the bulk startup into smaller, manageable groups that start at different moments, thereby reducing peak current demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the startup parameter from a fixed simultaneous time to a variable delay time based on temperature. By mapping temperature values to specific delay times, the system dynamically adjusts when each ballast starts, preventing the harmful simultaneous inrush current while ensuring all ballasts eventually start.
2Use of energy by moving object
If multiple electronic ballasts are connected in parallel for concentrated use, then power consumption is efficient and luminous efficiency is high, but line impedance causes voltage drop and forms a vicious circle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by measuring the temperature of each ballast before startup and pre-calculating its delay time based on a mapped relationship. This preliminary temperature-based classification allows the system to sequence the startups in advance, preventing voltage drop before it occurs rather than reacting to it afterward.
3Reliability
If a delay switch is added to each electronic ballast for time sharing starting, then voltage drop is reduced and ballast damage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by allowing each ballast to determine its own delay time based on its internal temperature sensor and the pre-established mapped relationship between temperature and delay time. Each ballast independently calculates its startup sequence without requiring complex external coordination, simplifying the overall control system while maintaining reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces the risk of ballast damage by spreading the startup times, thereby minimizing voltage drops and stabilizing the power grid, ensuring that multiple electronic ballasts can operate safely without instantaneous voltage drops.
Implementation Method 1
includes a temperature sensor for detecting the external environmental temperature of the electronic ballast
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a method for controlling the time sharing starting of electronic ballasts and a delayed-started electronic ballast. According to the method, the electronic ballasts are delayed-started after being energized, and delay time for the delayed starting of the electronic ballasts is a random number acquired based on the temperature of the ballasts. The delayed-started electronic ballast includes an electronic ballast body and a delay switch. After the adoption of the technical scheme of the invention, a delayer with the delay time set by virtue of random numbers corresponding to different environmental temperature is additionally arranged in the ballast, and multiple ballasts connected in parallel in a circuit can be started at different time points after different delay time under the control of the same control switch, which remarkably reduces current impact on a power grid and reduces a voltage drop condition.