A single stage electronic ballast based on the ‘Z’ source inverter

Electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp with high power factor is traditionally implemented in two stages: first one to obtain a unity power factor and second one to feed properly the lamp. Different topologies have been studied in order to able reduce the number of stages and employed controllers. In this paper a different electronic ballast, which is based on the `Z´ source inverter is analyzed, as a result of this the system becomes a single stage and high power factor electronic ballast. Operation, analysis, and experimental results are presented.