The advent and improvement of LED lamps are gradually reducing the popularity of fluorescent lighting. But for a long time the lamps of "daylight" will be in demand among the population because of their positive qualities. Modern starters and chokes for fluorescent lamps have high reliability, which contributes to maintaining the leadership of fluorescent lighting.
Content
- Choke assignment
- Device and principle of operation
- Possible malfunctions
-
Types and models
- Manufacturers overview
Choke assignment
The term "choke" itself comes from the German language. Loosely translated, it means "filter" or "limiter". This is exactly the function that the fluorescent lamp choke performs. Gas-discharge lamps at the moment of breakdown and stable combustion of a gas discharge have significant differences in their parameters.
At the moment of switching on, this element behaves like an additional equipment to the starter, creating a voltage pulse to ignite a glow discharge. Then the starter is turned off, and the choke maintains the lamp burning and smooths the AC ripple.
Device and principle of operation
The choke in its design is an ordinary induction coil, designed for a specific voltage and current. Its constituent elements are:
- core;
- copper wire with special insulation;
- protective cover.
When an alternating electric current passes through the turns of the wire, a magnetic field arises in the core, which maintains the direction of the current flow after changing its movement.
This is how the peaks of the alternating current ripple are smoothed out, which ensures stable combustion of the glow discharge inside the tube of the fluorescent lamp. That's what a fluorescent tube choke is for.
Possible malfunctions
Since the device of this element is very simple, there can be only two possible breakdowns: an open circuit and an inter-turn short circuit. If the chain is broken, the part completely fails and does not perform its functions; it should be replaced.
With an inter-turn closure, part of the winding fails, the element, as a rule, retains its operability, but its operating parameters change. Such a malfunction is more dangerous, since it is not always possible to diagnose it immediately without a tester. And long-term use of a lamp with such a choke can lead to damage to all equipment.
Types and models
According to the type of power supply, chokes are single-phase and three-phase. The former are the most common and are used for both domestic and industrial lighting. The latter are less popular and are used only in industrial lighting equipment.
According to the degree of power loss, three groups are distinguished: with low, medium and normal power loss. They are marked with B, C and D, respectively.
Conventional chokes have an electromagnetic principle of operation; they have a core and a winding in their design.
A more modern variety - electronic, which began to be produced in large quantities just a few years ago. Instead of a conventional core and winding, they have a miniature inverter. Such parts are somewhat more expensive than conventional ones, but they do not require an additional use of a starter to ignite a glowing gas discharge.
Different fluorescent light sources require different chokes to be connected. There are three power groups:
- from 9 W to 15 W - designed for small table lamps;
- from 18 W to 36 W - for ceiling and wall lighting fixtures;
- 65 W to 80 W - used in high-power industrial luminaires and multi-lamp light sources.
Manufacturers overview
For household light sources, the best option is Greek-made parts under the Schwabe Hellas trademark. A wide range of power allows you to choose the necessary element for any household single-phase fluorescent lamp.
The elements of the Finnish manufacturer Helvar have proven themselves well. They are renowned for their low power loss and virtually no interference during operation. For powerful industrial fluorescent light sources, the chokes of this company with a power of 85 watts are optimal.
Typically, chokes and starters are accessories for the sale of fluorescent lamps. But sometimes it becomes necessary to replace them. It is recommended to choose for this the products of such well-known and proven manufacturers as Navigator, Luxe and Chilisin.
It is better not to repair chokes, especially electronic ones. Their device is such that it is impossible to repair this part with high quality at home because of the miniature parts. Better to replace the assembly.
Parts must be replaced when the luminaire is completely de-energized.
The function check can be performed without a multimeter. It is enough to connect the element to a known working lamp, check the discharge ignition speed and the stability of its combustion.
