Modified Push-Pull Electronic Ballast for Suppression of Input Harmonic Currents

Y. Kato, Y. Tadamasa, N.Takahashi, K. Okutsu, M. Matsuyama and M. Nakaoka

Abstract-- In this paper, we propose modified push-pull electronic ballast that can suppress input harmonic currents. The electronic ballast has partial smoothing function and charge pump function. The behavior of the proposed circuit is analyzed and experimental results will be shown. The experimental results show that the circuit can decrease the harmonic distortion of the input current. It is revealed that the harmonic distortion of the input current obtained by the proposed electronic ballast satisfies the maximum Umit of IEC 1000-3-2 class C sufnciently. And the electronic ballast realized the high power factor of 0.995 and the high efficiency of 0.88.
'

sufficiently. And the electronic ballast realized the high power factor of 0.995 and the high efficiency of 0.88.
11. PUSH-PULL ELECTRONIC BUT

Index Terms-electronie ballast, harmonic current, push-pull

I. INTRODUCTION ecently, it is often observed that the harmonic interference ccurs in the AC power line because switching mode inverter and converter have been widely used as power supplies of the electronic and electrical equipment. In order to prevent this harmonics interference, the guideline on the maximum limits of the harmonics distortion factor of the input current was indicated by EC. In this paper, modified push-pull electronic ballast for suppression of input harmonic currents is presented. Based on experimental results and on analyses of equivalent circuits in each state, this new topology of the electronic ballast treated here decrease the harmonic distortions of the input current. The proposed electronic ballast has both of partial smoothing function and charge pump function. Partial smoothing function is effective for improvement of the luminous flux of fluorescent lamp. And charge pump fknction is effective for reduction of harmonic distortion of input currents. As an experimental result, it is proved that the proposed electronic ballast lowers the harmonic distortion of the input current. It is revealed that the harmonic distortion of the input current satisfies the maximum limit of IEC 1000 3-2 class C

R.0

A. Non-smoothing type Fig.1 shows a basic circuit configuration of the typical push-pull type electronic ballast. Push-pull type inverter is 2, basically composed of two switches (Tl, T ) resonant capacitor (Cl) and primary coil of the high-frequency transformer. Secondary coil of the high-frequency transformer is connected to fluorescent lamps. Electric power is supplied through a full-wave rectifier and a reactor (Ll) for D.C. smoothing. Because leakage inductance of the high-frequency transformer causes current-limiting action, the lighting of fluorescent lamp is stabilized. The input current of this electronic ballast includes many higher harmonics and thus does not satisfy the maximum limit of IEC 1000-3-2 class C as shown by Fig.2 (a). In addition to this problem, luminous efficiency of fluorescent lamp is low due to the existence of idle period of current supply to the lamp as shown by Fig2 (b).

I
Fig. 1 . Basic configuration of push-pull electronic ballast

Yoshito Kat0 is with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Tottori University, Tottori, JAPAN 680-8552(e-mail: kataele. tottori-u.ac.jp) Yoshimichi Tadamasa is a graduate student of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Tottori University, Tottori, JAPAN 680-8552(e-mail: b96t3 103~maxwell.ele.tottori-u.ac.jp) N o h 0 Takahashi is with the Department of Control Engineering, Matsue National College of Technology, Matsue, Shimane JAPAN 690-8518

(e-mail:taka@matsue-ct.ac.jp)
Kenzo Okutau ie with Nippo Denki Co. Ltd., Kanagawa, JAPAN Makom Matsuyama is with Nippo Denko Co. Ltd., Akita, JAPAN Muteuo Nakaoka is with the Department of Electrical and Electronic 755-8611 Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Ube, JAPAN (c-mail:nakaoka@pe-ncwe 1.eee.yamaguchi-u.acjp)

SOVIdiv, 4 7 2 d d i v ,

Fig.2 (a) Observed waveforms of input current and input voltage

Pig.2 (b) Observed wavefoim

of lamp c m t

0-7803~7233-6/01/%10.00 (Q2001 IEEE.

306

B. Partial-smoothing type A schematic diagram of the center tap voltage of primary coil (L2, L3) of oscillating transformer in Fig.2 is illustrated in Fig.3(a). The average of the center tap voltage is obtained as follows:

v , ,= 1o 1 sin q t 1 , , n li;l..

sin u 2 t 1 dt

(1)

where w, is an angular frequency of commercial A.C. source, w 2 is an angular frequency of oscillation and VHFpis the maximum peak value of high-frequency voltage. VHFp is , , =nV, I 2 in the case that the saturation assumed to be V voltages of switches(Tl,T2) are zero and V, is the peak value of rectified voltage. Because the sum of center tap voltage and terminal voltage at the reactor is equal to the voltage obtained by full-wave rectification, the terminal voltage ( VL ) at the reactor is obtained as follows: 2 A schematic diagram of terminal voltage ( VL ) is illustrated in Fig.3(b) referring to (2). This figure suggests that the partial-smoothing voltage can be obtained by smoothing the positive component of high-frequency voltage that occurs in the reactor (Ll). Fig.4 shows a basic circuit configuration of push-pull type electronic ballast with partial smoothing function. This circuit was proposed by one of authors of this paper[ I]. The purpose of this circuit is to fill idle period of lamp current and to improve luminous efficiency of lamp. The circuit for partial-smoothing is shown with a dotted line in Fig.4.

The behaviors of this circuit are shown in Fig.5. When an input voltage (Vin) is lower than partial-smoothing voltage (Vc), the energy is supplied to the transformer from the smoothing capacitor (Cs) (State A, state B). On the other hand, when an input voltage is higher than partial-smoothing voltage, the energy is supplied to the transformer directly from input power source, and at the same time the smoothing capacitor is charged (State C, state D). As a result, a lamp can be supplied energy continuously.

(a)State A (Vin<Vc, TI :on, T2:off)

VL = V, I sin q t l(1 - I

7r

sin m2t I)

(2)

(b)State B (Vin<Vc, TI :off,T2:on)

Fig.3(a) Schematic diagram of the center tap voltage

Fig.3(b) Schematic diagram of terminal voltage at L1

(c)State C (Vin>Vc, TI:on, T2:oM)

(d)State D (Vin>Vc, TI :off,T2:on)

Fig.5 Behaviors of partial-smoothing circuit Because of the partial-smoothing voltage, luminous efficiency of lamp is improved due to the disappearance of idle period of current supply to the lamp as shown by Fig.6(b) even in the case that input voltage is very low. Therefore, it can be seen that partial smoothing is one of effective means of

Fig.4 Basic configuration of push-pull electronic ballast with partial-smoothing function

307

improving luminous efficiency. But the input current of this electronic ballast still includes many higher harmonics and does not satisfy the maximum limit of IEC 1000-3-2 class C as shown by Fig.6(a). Fig.7 shows analyzed results on harmonic current contents of input currents of both electronic ballasts. Both electronic ballasts cannot satisfy the maximum limit of IEC 1000-3-2 class C. The electronic ballast with partial smoothing function is rather worse than the electronic ballast without partial smoothing function considered from the standpoint of harmonic current contents.

i) High frequency lighting by push-pull inverter consist of resonant capacitor (C3), inductors (L2, L3) and transistors (Tl, T2). ii) Continuous current supply to the lamp by partial smoothing action performed by high frequency voltage of inductor L1, capacitor Cs and two diodes. iii) Arrangements of an input current wave shape by a charge pump. The charge pump circuit is shown with a dotted line in Fig.8. The circuit consists of two small capacitors (Cl, C2) and a part of inductor (Ll). Using a high frequency voltage generated in inductor (Ll), capacitors (Cl, C2) repeat a charge and discharge action. Because this action is always behaved, the input current flows into the electronic ballast in any case of input voltage level.

;. ,
SOVldiv, 472mA/div,2 d d i v Fig.6 (a) Observed waveforms of input current and input voltage

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...q&H.+. L. 1. . l .: ... .
,, _,
I

.... . . . ..

I-.

.. ..

..

4O&nAJdiv,2msjhiv

Fig.6 (b) Observed waveform of lamp current

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*
*

L5
charge pump

push-pull

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3 :

g 20
1s 10

push-pull with partial smoothing Maxmum Limit of IEC 1000-3-2 Class C

Fig.8 Basic configuration of proposed electronic ballast IV. CIRCUIT ACTIONS Owing to the directions of input power source, the states of individual switches (Tl, T2) and the inequality of voltage level between input voltage and partial smoothing voltage, the circuit is assumed to behave differently. In Fig.9, four circuit actions are analyzed in the case that the direction of an input current is positive and in the case that switch T is off and switch T2 is on. 1 In equivalent circuits that explain instantaneous behavior of the circuit, a voltage of input A.C. power source and a high frequency voltage generated in inductor (Ll) are assumed to be D.C. voltage. The symbol Vin represents an input voltage, the symbol VL represents a voltage obtained from a part of inductor (Ll) and Vc represent a partial smoothing voltage. The polarity of VL changes alternately in response to the actions of inductor (Ll). These changes cause capacitors (Cl, C2) to work as a charge Pump. A. State A When the level of an input voltage (Vin) is lower than the level of partial smoothing voltage (Vc), a current (il) flows in the direction shown in Fig.9(a) owing to discharge from the smoothing capacitor(Cs). This current supplies the energy to a lamp via the transformer. When the polarity of VL is the same as the polarity of Vin, the electrical potential between two small capacitors (C 1, C2) becomes relatively low. Therefore, capacitor C1 is charged by the current i,, and capacitor C2 is discharged by the current i,, respectively.
I

11

13

15

Harmonic Order

Fig.7 Comparison of harmonic current contents

111. NEW CIRCUITDESCRIPTION ELECTRONIC OF BALLAST

Fig.8 illustrates the basic configuration of the proposed electronic ballast. The purpose of this circuit is to rectify an input current wave shape and to decrease the harmonic distortion of the input current. To settle the harmonic distortion problem in electronic ballast, researches are roughly classified into the following methods. 1) The method of incorporating a chopper into the smoothing circuit, 2) the method of incorporating a charge pump into the smoothing circuit and 3) the method of combining a chopper and a charge pump into one form. With regard to 1) and 3), two-switch boost converters have been proposed for electronic ballast by authors of this paper [21-[41. In the present paper, a method of incorporating a charge pump is applied to the push-pull type electronic ballast that is mentioned above. This circuit has following functions.

308

E. State E When the polarity of VL is opposite to the polarity of Vin, the electrical potential between two small capacitors (Cl, C2) becomes relatively high. Therefore, capacitor Cl is discharged by the current i,,and capacitor C2 is charged by the current ic2shown in Fig.9(b). The energy supply to a lamp is the sum of the input energy from power source and the discharged energy from the smoothing capacitor (Cs). Actions in state A and in state B are repeated during the period when the level of an input voltage (Vin) is lower than the level of partial smoothing voltage (Vc). This means that the input current always flows into the electronic ballast even in the case of low input voltage level.

C. State C
When the level of an input voltage (Vin) is higher than the level of partial smoothing voltage (Vc), a current (i2). flows always from power source to transformer. When the polarity of VL is the same as the polarity of Vin, capacitor C l is charged by the current i, and capacitor C2 is discharged by the current ic2 respectively shown in Fig.9(c).

D. State D
When the polarity of VL is opposite to the polarity of Vin, capacitor Cl is discharged by the current i,, and capacitor C2 is charged by the current ic2 shown in Fig.9(d). The energy for a lamp is supplied from power source. Capacitors (Cl, C2) always repeat a charge and discharge action. After all, these capacitors and a part of inductor (Ll) form a charge pump. This charge pump can causes a continuous input current flow that is impractical by usual push-pull type electronic ballast. Same actions can be easily confirmed in the case that switch T1 is on and switch T2 is off. V. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS The purpose of experiments is to confirm the effectiveness of the charge pump for suppression of input harmonic currents. Experiments were repeated by changing the capacitance of capacitor (Cl, C2) to examine characteristics of the circuit, (1) waveforms of input voltage and input current, (2) waveform of lamp current, (3) efficiency and power factor of proposed electronic ballast, and (4) harmonic contents of input current. Fig.10 shows some of observed waveforms that were obtained under the following conditions: C = 3 3 p F ,C, = 4.7nF ,L, = L5 = 1S2mH s L, = L, =612pH, L, =6.53mH It is seen that the lamp is supplied energy continuously because of partial-smoothing circuit. But in the case that Cl=C2=0, there is the period that a current does not flow into the circuit from power source. By introducing two small capacitors (Cl, C2), a current flows into the circuit without interruption even in the case of low input voltage. A waveform of the input current changes due to the value of capacitance (CI, C2). The harmonic current distortions decrease with the increase of the value of capacitance. The increase of the value of capacitance also improves power factor, but on the other hand it lowers efficiency of the electronic ballast. When the value of capacitance is more than 8.2nF, it can be seen that the proposed electronic ballast satisfies the limits of Class C defined by IEC 1000-3-2 as shown in Fig. 1 1. Power factor of 99.5% and efficiency of 88% can be obtained in this experiment as highest

(a)State A (V<Vc, TI :off,T2:on)

(b)State B ( V < V c , TI:off. T2:on)

(c)State C (V>Vc. T1:off. T2:on)

(d)State D (V>Vc, T1:off. T2:on)

Fig.9 Behaviors of proposed circuit

309

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SOVldiv. 472mA/div, 2mSldiv 400mA/div, 2mS/div

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Input voltage and current (a) C 1=C24

Lamp current

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+
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+ 2.2nF
+ 3.9nF
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Lamp current Input voltage and current (b) Cl=C2=6.lnF

8.2nF

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13 15 Harmonic Order

(b) Harmonic current content Lamp current Input voltage and current (c) Cl=C2=8.2nF Fig. 1 1 Effect of capacitance (C1, C2)

VI. CONCLUSIONS
In this paper, push-pull type electronic ballast with charge pump function has been proposed for suppression of input harmonic currents. As experimental results, it can be seen that the proposed electronic ballast works effectively not only to lower the harmonic distortion of the input current but also to improve luminous efficiency of lamp. The harmonic distortion of the input current obtained by the proposed electronic ballast satisfies the maximum limit of IEC 1000-3-2class C sufficiently. In the future, it is necessary to analyze the influence of capacitance for charge-pump to the input harmonic current quantitatively.
REFERENCES

~5OVI~iv,~412mA/div, 2mSldiv

400mA/div, 2mSIQv

Lamp current Input voltage and current (d) Cl=C2=12.lnF Fig. 1 Observed waveforms 0

Y. Kat0 and H. Ohtake, "A Study on High PFC Circuit for Electronic Engineering Institute of JAPAN, vol. 72, No.6, Ballast" J. Iffuminafing
1988.(in Japanese) N. Takahashi, Y. Kato, M. Ohkita, K. Okutsu, M. Matsuyama and Nakaoka, "Two-Switch Boost Chopper-based PFC Rectifier Electronic Ballast". Proceedings of ICPE98, pp.993-997. 1998. N. Takahashi, Y.Kato, M. Ohkita, K. Okutsu, M. Matsuyama and Nakaoka, 'Two-Switch Boost Chopper-based PFC Convexter M. for

M.
for

Electronic Ballast". Proceedings offEDS'99, pp.990-995, 1999. N. Takahashi. Y.Kam, M.Ohkita, K. Okutsu, M. Matsuyama and M.
Nakaoka, "An Electronic Ballast for Suppression of the Input Harmonic Curnnte", Record ojthe 2000 IEEE IndwQ Applications Conference,
pp.23 17-2322,2OOO.

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