Abstract:
A circuit arrangement for operating and dimming a high pressure discharge lamp is equipped with a control circuit for dimming the high pressure discharge lamp fast to a first power level and much slower from the first power level to a second level that is the desired level of the lamp power. Thereby it is realized that a user can perceive the dimming.
Abstract:
A method for driving and dimming an HID lamp (2), the method comprising the steps of: providing a controllable HBCF current source stage (20); using the HBCF current source stage (20) to generate commutating DC lamp current (I) having alternating current direction; supplying the HBCF current source stage (20) with an intermediate voltage (V o ). In normal mode, the commutating DC lamp current (I) is generated with a predetermined nominal current magnitude (I N ) while the intermediate voltage (V o ) has a predetermined nominal level (V N ). In a dim mode, the commutating DC lamp current (I) is generated with a current magnitude lower than said nominal current magnitude (I N ) while the intermediate voltage (V o ) has a level (V H ) higher than said nominal level (V N ).
Abstract:
A half bridge circuit is operated in the commutating forward mode. A control loop monitors the voltage of a terminal between the two half bridge capacitors and adjusts the current level in each half period so that the voltage at the terminal remains equal to half the rail voltage. A dependable reignition of the lamp at the beginning of each half period of the lamp current is obtained resulting in stable operation even when the lamp is dimmed.