Self configuring dimming interface for fluorescent lamp ballasts

The importance of dimmable electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps is increasing rapidly because customers identify a high potential concerning energy saving and the positive influence of comfort lighting to health, and through that, to the performance of people. Due to the diversity of such applications, ballast manufacturers have to think about an appropriate specification of their dimming products. This paper lists the most common applications with their control possibilities and describes how the different requirements can be fulfilled by one and the same ballast. By illustrating the different input signals, it is figured out how an intelligent electronic ballast is able to recognize the connected control-unit and to select the proper operating mode automatically. The considerations are performed under the point of view that the electronic ballast is produced in high volumes.