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TridonicAtco digitally dimmable ballasts are characterised not only by excellent economic efficiency, exceptional lighting comfort and high reliability but also form the basis for dynamic lighting solutions – even with colour effects. The PCA EXCEL one4all range as well as the PCA ECO series, which both comply with CELMA Energy Efficiency Class A1, are a byword for energy efficiency. This carefully diversified product range covers all relevant applications with T5, T8 and compact fluorescent lamps.
Dimmable ballasts operate lamps with high-frequency voltage and current in the range from 40 kHz to 100 kHz – a frequency range which, for example, does not interfere with IR remote control units (36 kHz). No additional starter is required because the starting voltage is generated internally. A capacitor for p.f. compensation is also superfluous thanks to the power factor in excess of 0.95.
The digital interface further enhances the benefits of the high-end PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts and the PCA ECO all-rounders because they enable, for example, a luminaire to be prepared for various control options without rewiring. Like polarity-free wiring, this also facilitates installation.
Access via several parallel control points also provides added value. Because digital signals are not susceptible to interference they ensure precisely the same dimming level when several items of control gear are fitted in one lighting installation – and without flicker, especially in the case of low brightness levels.
Excellent economic efficiency
High-frequency operation of fluorescent luminaires results in a luminous flux that is approximately 10 % higher or, correspondingly, 10 % less lamp output is required for the same luminous flux. In addition, electronic ballasts have lower power losses of less than 10 % of lamp output and are less self-heating – this reduces the temperature of the luminaire and simultaneously improves the lamp’s light output ratio. This results in system power reductions of 25 % in case of luminaires with electronic ballasts, compared with conventional B2 ballasts.
TridonicAtco PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO models are real top performers in terms of energy savings. Their extremely energy-efficient mode of operation allows total potential savings in excess of 80 % in lighting installations. This is a result, firstly, of high-frequency operation which results in a high lamp light output ratio and, secondly, the low intrinsic energy consumption of the PCA EXCEL one4all. Besides this, energy requirements can be reduced significantly further still by means of daylightbased and presence detector-based control systems.
The electronic ballast ensures preheating of lamp electrodes in accordance with specifications, and an adequately high starting voltage and limitation of discharge current. Straightforward installation, wiring and operating functionality also provides added value. Defined lamp warm starting is gentle on the luminaire, significantly extends the burning life of fluorescent lamps compared with conventional starter operation, and enables frequent switching cycles throughout the lamp’s service life.
This cuts the cost of relamping and the cost of maintaining a lighting installation thanks to longer maintenance intervals.
Thanks to exclusive use high-quality components, intelligent circuit design and extensive testing at rated operating conditions, TridonicAtco PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO ballasts achieve an average life of 50,000 hours – with a failure probability of less than 10 %, i.e. an average failure rate of 0.2 % per 1,000 hours of operation.
These characteristics of TridonicAtco digitally dimmable ballasts, i.e. energy efficiency and a long service life and long lamp life, guarantee highly economical lighting installations.
Lighting comfort and lighting quality
High-frequency operation of fluorescent lamps results in more constant gas discharge than in the case of conventional ballasts, thereby eliminating cathode flicker (even at low temperatures) and strobing. This results in significantly improved lighting quality and improved visual comfort.
Integrated components (ASICs) developed by TridonicAtco for optimum lamp management ensure excellent lighting quality. Thanks to these components, lamps start reliably, silently and without annoying flickering even at 1 % luminous flux. In addition, lamps are automatically disconnected in the event of a defect or at the end of the lamp’s life without causing malfunctions such as flashing or wasting energy through pointless attempted staring. The lamp is automatically restarted after relamping. Luminous flux remains constant regardless of supply voltage fluctuations in the range between 198 V and 254 V.
For emergency lighting systems
PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO ballasts can be operated either with alternating current or direct current. In this way, a separate emergency lighting system can be dispensed with in as well as centrally supplied lighting installations. In such installations, PCA ballasts operate at 70 % luminous flux as the emergency lighting level as standard.
PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO ballasts also provide added value in separate-battery supplied emergency luminaires by storing the last lighting level - a feature which excels normal standards in this sector and proves especially useful after weekly function tests.
Mechanically optimised
Electronic ballasts weigh less than electromagnetic ballasts. Their insulation piercing connecting devices allow fast automatic and manual wiring. There are also lateral fixing options.
Constantly high quality
Exclusive use of high-quality materials combined with ISO 9001-certified manufacturing processes guarantee the unchangingly high quality and reliability of TridonicAtco PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO ballasts. Fully automated manufacturing also ensures a constant, reproducible quality level. In addition, all ballasts undergo a 100 % final safety inspection.
Standards and test marks
TridonicAtco PCA EXCEL one4all and PCA ECO electronic ballasts are ENEC-certified, carry the CE Mark and meet all relevant European standards relating to safety, operation and electromagnetic compatibility.
PCA ECO all-rounders
PCA ECO ballasts provide an ideal opportunity to enter the world of digital dimming technology easily – here Plug and Play is standard. Tried-and-tested DSI control signals, simple momentary-action switch control or SMART constant light control can be used for actuation. DSI reveals its true potential here thanks to straightforward wiring and access via several parallel control points.
Like all digital ballasts, the PCA ECO operates with a logarithmic dimming characteristic. The dimming range is 1 % or 3 % to 100 % luminous flux when operating T5, T8 and compact fluorescent lamps.
The PCA ECO boasts all DSI functions and the benefit of digital communication with the exception of error feedback and programmability. Straightforward wiring and commissioning as well as a compact housing design ensure versatile use.
Digitally dimmable PCA ECO ballasts are available as single-, twin-, three- or four-lamp models for use with T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps as well as TC-L, TC-SEL, TC-DEL, TC-TEL and TC-DD compact fluorescent lamps.
All digitally dimmable PCA ECO ballasts are characterised by their functionality geared towards practical benefits which is constantly being enhanced. For instance, the PCA T5 ECO lp represents the fifth generation of ballasts with not only Intelligent Voltage Guard as an innovative preventive measure against undervoltages and overvoltages, but also excellent lamp management, e.g. thanks to its SMART Heating Concept. In addition, an Intelligent Temperature Guard function, which monitors the ballast temperature, prevents it being damaged by excess heat.
It also features the fifth generation of the affordable, user-friendly switchDIM control facility (PCA T5 ECO lp) which uses switchDIM-memory to store the last dimming level in the event of a power supply failure and returns the lamp to its previous operating state once the supply is restored. This improves user friendliness considerably because the dimming rate from minimum to maximum brightness can be set to 3 s or 6 s.
The new corridorFUNCTION, which solves complex sequences really easily, is refinement in its purest form. Standard presence detectors and luminaires with PCA T5 ECO lp ballasts are the best way of avoiding ever again suddenly being plunged into darkness, especially in rooms where there is no daylight, in the case of lighting installations which are controlled by presence detectors. The corridorFUNCTION ensures that if there is no one in the room the light is not switched off – as is the case with non-dimmable control gear – but dimmed to the minimum level. It can then be switched off automatically after a preset delay.
With these user-oriented functions based on innovative DSI technology, TridonicAtco PCA ECO digitally dimmable ballasts prove to be genuine all-rounders.
PCA EXCEL one4all – the high-end ballast
TridonicAtco PCA EXCEL one4all digitally dimmable ballasts combine four control options in just one device: simple momentary-action switch control using switchDIM, constant light control using SMART, tried-and-tested flexible systems with DSI and individually addressable solutions using DALI - the established, standardised interface protocol. The major benefit for the user is that the PCA EXCEL one4all always adapts itself flexibly and automatically to the appropriate lighting management solution.
PCA EXCEL one4all communication requires just two control wires. It is irrelevant whether the user opts for a switchDIM, DSI or DALI system. The wiring is always identical, the devices identify the right control signal automatically, and intelligently set themselves accordingly. PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts are characterised by excellent dimmability over an extended range from 1 % or 3 % to 100 % luminous flux. In DSI and DALI mode, various operating parameters can be modified and stored dynamically. In DALI mode, the control gear can also generate an error feedback message in case of lamp defects. Integrating this information into a higher-level control system enables entirely new service concepts. In this way, the PCA EXCEL one4all provides exceptional flexibility and futureproofness. All standard functions such as individual addressing (64 addresses), group addressing (16 addresses), lighting scenes (16 scene values), fading time and fading rate are available in DALI operating mode.
Digitally dimmable PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts are available in single-, twin-, three- or four-lamp versions for operation of T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps as well as TC-L, TC-SEL, TC-DEL, TC-TEL and TC-DD compact fluorescent lamps.
One thing that all digitally dimmable PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts share is their high level of functionality which is constantly being enhanced. For instance, the PCA T5 EXCEL one4all lp represents the fifth generation of ballasts with not only Intelligent Voltage Guard as an innovative preventive measure against undervoltages and overvoltages, but also excellent lamp management, e.g. thanks to its smart heating concept. In addition, an Intelligent Temperature Guard function, which monitors the ballast temperature, prevents it being damaged by excess heat.
When it comes to flexibility, the PCA T5 EXCEL one4all lp really does it all. It makes it absolutely easy to configure both complex lighting solutions and dynamic colour applications, emergency lighting or integration into a higher-level control system, as well as straightforward tasks.
The new corridorFUNCTION, which solves complex sequences really easily, is refinement in its purest form. Standard presence detectors and luminaires with PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts are the best way of avoiding ever again suddenly being plunged into darkness, especially in rooms where there is no daylight, in the case of lighting installations which are controlled by presence detectors. The corridorFUNCTION ensures that if there is no one in the room the light is not switched off – as is the case with non-dimmable control gear – but dimmed to the minimum level. It can then be switched off automatically after a preset delay.
These intelligent functions are gradually being introduced in all modifications to TridonicAtco digitally dimmable PCA EXCEL one4all ballasts.
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