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Electronic ballast from TridonicAtco is noted in particular for its excellent economy, exceptionally level of lighting comfort and impressive reliability.
The wide range of units in the PC family offers minimum power consumption and cover all the relevant applications with T5, T8 and compact fluorescent lamps.
The PC PRO-M, PC PRO, PC PRO sr, PC Basic, PC INDUSTRY and PC FOX versions all have characteristics tailored to their specific applications and requirements.
Electronic control gear (ECG) operates lamps with high-frequency voltages and currents (over 40 kHz) – a frequency range that does not interfere with infra-red remote controls for example which operate at 36 kHz. Since the ignition voltage is generated internally there is no need for additional starters. And with a power factor typically > 0.98 there is also no need for a capacitor to compensate for reactive power. Another benefit of using electronic control gear in the lighting industry is that they have simplified wiring, making them easier and quicker to install than conventional control gear.
Impressive economy
High-frequency operation of fluorescent lamps leads to an increase in luminous flux of around 10 %, or for the same luminous flux around 10 % less power consumed. What’s more, ECGs have a low power loss of less than 10 % of lamp output and low self-heating, which reduces the luminaire temperature and at the same time increases the efficiency of the lamp. With these characteristics, ECGs offer energy savings of up to 25 % in the lighting system compared with conventional control gear.
ECGs ensure that the lamp electrodes are preheated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications, that the ignition voltage is sufficiently high and that the discharge current is limited. There is also added value from ease of installation, wiring and operation. Hot restarts under defined conditions protect the fluorescent lamps, increase their life compared with conventional starter operation and allow frequency on/off switching throughout their life. Luminaires operated on innovative control gear from TridonicAtco can therefore be used in conjunction with presence sensors and ambient light sensors. These devices significantly reduce the energy consumption of professional lighting systems and therefore further contribute to energy efficiency.
This in turn reduces the costs for replacing the lamps and for maintaining the lighting system thanks to longer maintenance intervals. Thanks to their high-quality components, intelligent circuit design and extensive testing under rated conditions, PC control gear from TridonicAtco achieve an average life of 50,000 hours – for a reliability in excess of 90 %; in other words an average failure rate of 0.2 % per 1,000 hours of operation. These properties of PC ballast from TridonicAtco, namely energy efficiency, long equipment life and long lamp life thanks to defined operation, ensure that lighting systems operate at high levels of economy.
Lighting comfort and quality
High-frequency operation of fluorescent lamps results in a much more constant gas discharge than is the case with conventional control gear. This in turn ensures there is no cathode flickering (even at low temperatures) and no stroboscopic effects. The resultant improvement in the quality of light makes the lighting system more comfortable on the eye.
Further improvements in the quality of light are provided by the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) developed specifically for TridonicAtco for optimum lamp management. It ensures that the lamps ignite reliably with no annoying flickering or noise. The lamps are automatically shut down if they develop a fault or when they come to the end of their lives – without flickering and without wasting energy on futile attempts to restart them. Replacement lamps are automatically started.
The ASIC also ensures that the luminous flux remains constant irrespective of fluctuations in the mains voltage in the 198 V to 254 V range.
For emergency lighting systems
As PC electronic control gear can be operated on either ac or dc there is no need for a separate emergency lighting system.
Optimum mechanical design
ECGs weigh much less than electromagnetic control gear. This is extremely useful in terms of luminaire design because everything can be geared around a lower weight. This saves on precious material resources. And because of the lower weight less energy is consumed on all the logistics paths. This is another contribution to reducing CO2 emissions.
Their IDC (Insulation Displacement Connection) rerminals enable the wiring to be completed quickly either automatically or manually.
Constant high quality
The consistently high quality and reliability of PC control gear from TridonicAtco are guaranteed by the use of high-grade materials together with manufacturing processes certified to ISO 9001. Fully automatic manufacture also ensures constant reproducible quality. All the ECGs are subjected to 100 % final testing and safety testing.
Standards and approval marks
PC ECGs from TridonicAtco are ENEC certified, carry the CE mark and meet all the relevant European standards relating to safety, operation and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
PC PRO with intelligent monitoring
The PC PRO family of ECGs combine the benefits of modern electronics with the advantages of compact casing design. The one to four-lamp versions are designed to operate T8 fluorescent lamps from 18 W to 70 W, T5 HE lamps from 14 W to 35 W, T5 HO lamps from 24 W to 80 W and compact fluorescent lamps from 9 W to 70 W.
The integrated Intelligent Voltage Guard (IVG) is an innovative prevention mechanism that constantly monitors the mains voltage at the control gear to protect it against possible damage due to overvoltage or undervoltage. At mains voltages above 306 V the lamps start to flash on and off so the installer can immediately take appropriate action. If the mains voltage falls below 150 V the lamp circuit is automatically disconnected to protect the control gear from being irreparably damaged.
PC Basic for small system wattages
For system wattages of up to 25 W, compact electronic PC Basic control gear is an excellent choice because it offers so many benefits. These include an operating temperature range from -25 °C to +50 °C or +60 °C and a service life of 50,000 hours. Together with the long life of the fluorescent lamps – thanks to gentle hot restart – this translates into low maintenance costs and impressive economy for the lighting system as a whole. There are just seven versions of PC Basic for operating the entire wattage range from 4 W to 28 W. The linear sl variant, a compact casing design and a board version are all available.
An additional EN 50172-compliant version has been designed specifically for use in emergency lighting systems.
PC INDUSTRY for demanding applications
PC T8 INDUSTRY and PC T5 INDUSTRY ECGs are designed to operate 36 W and 58 W T8 lamps, and 49 W, 54 W and 80 W T5 lamps in harsh environments; for example they are designed for a life of 100,000 hours at a maximum ambient temperature of +60 °C.
The control gear is also designed to withstand voltage peaks of up to 4 kV. Long lamp life and high levels of operational reliability for the lighting system throughout the life of the luminaires are therefore guaranteed. As a result particularly of the long lamp life, maintenance intervals are longer and maintenance costs lower.
PC PRO sr
The new all-in-one casing has integrated cable clamps and terminal covers. The surface mounted version has compact dimensions of just 150 mm x 79.5 mm x 34 mm. This means the units are much easier to install. The two-channel cable clamp does not require any tools or screws and is separate for mains and lamp cables. This unique design has truly impressive functionality.
With PC PRO STRAIN RELIEF, installation in suspended ceilings for example is child’s play – backed by pioneering ECG expertise from TridonicAtco.
PC PRO xitec technology for the future
With its new processor technology TridonicAtco is once again setting new standards in the use of digital control technology, which caused a sensation right from the very first device. Intelligence has always been built into application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). These are TridonicAtco’s own developments and are used exclusively in TridonicAtco devices. Five generations of ASICs, more than 200 inventions and more than 900 patents are amble evidence of the digital expertise of TridonicAtco.
The technology is the culmination of almost twenty years of experience and know-how in the development of dimmable and non-dimmable ballasts. The impressive results include a high level of integration and a number of innovative functions for perfect lamp and lighting management. This all adds up to pioneering intelligent control gear with a high level of functionality and also to technological leadership for TridonicAtco.
As the “heart” of the system the “xitec” contains new functions and some tried and tested functions from previous generations of ASICs, creating ideal conditions for perfect lamp and lighting management.
One of the crucial aspects nowadays that is increasingly relevant to decision-making in general and applications in particularis energy efficiency. Improvements here in the PC PRO xitec ballasts have come a number of factors including low power loss thanks to better thermal management. This positive effect comes from using “xitec” technology. The mount of heat produced is reduced so there is less thermal load on the ECG, which increases the reliability of the device at the same time.
The new PC PRO xitec generation has greater thermal safety margin (up to 135 % greater) with respect to the defined limit temperature at the smoothing capacitor. Since the operating temperature has a direct effect on service life a reduction in the continuous load by 10 K at the capacitor results in twice the life.
PC PRO-M the new ballast for multi-lamp operation
Multi-lamp operation without compromise: this is what TridonicAtco offers with the new functionality of its PC PRO-M ballasts. “xitec” processor technology shows its tremendous potential here.
PC PRO ballasts from TridonicAtco have always offered exceptional functionality as the basis for perfect lamp and lighting management. The SMART Heating Concept for example provides disconnectable electrode preheating for fluorescent lamps to ensure they operate in accordance with specifications and at the same time with optimum energy efficiency and constant luminous flux. And of course faulty lamps are automatically disconnected, lamps are automatically restarted and dc emergency lighting operation takes place in accordance with DIN EN 50172 (formerly VDE 0108).
Preventive features such as Intelligent Voltage Guard (IVG) offer benefits to installers and users in ensuring optimum fault free operation of the ballasts and therefore the luminaires and lighting systems.
Even more user benefits come from the PC PRO-M versions which are based on “xitec” processor technology. All this functionality is rounded off perfectly by multi-lamp operation, which cuts down on the number of different ECGs.
The reduced number of devices leads to considerable energy savings. Wholesalers and luminaire manufacturers can reduce the size of their component warehouses because a luminaire with a multi-lamp ECG can be equipped with various lamps of the same length. And for planners, operators and facility managers there is a large amount of freedom because the illuminance in a room can be easily changed to suit a change of use for the room or a change of tenant.
TridonicAtco focuses on quality here all the time. The lamp is correctly identified and operated precisely as specified to ensure long life and high luminous flux.
In addition to the PC PRO-M ballasts for multi-lamp operation the entire range of standard devices for the individual wattages will continue to be offered.
By providing a single ballast to operate different lamps of the same length TridonicAtco is once again demonstrating its exceptional expertise in this field. This is impressive functionality combined with extensive user benefits.
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