A Physically Based Fluorescent Lamp Model for a SPICE or a Simulink Environment

This paper describes a method of modeling fluorescent lamps. The lamp model can be implemented in all major circuit simulation software packages, an example has been given for SPICE and Simulink. The model is based upon a simplified set of physical equations that gives the model validity over a wider range of operating conditions than current fluorescent lamp SPICE models allow for. The model can be used to model any low-pressure mercury-buffer gas fluorescent lamps by entering key lamp parameters, length, radius, cold-spot temperature, and buffer gas fill pressure. If fill pressure is not known, a default value dependent on lamp radius is used. The model shows good agreement over a wide range of operating frequencies and lamp powers.