The influence of fluorescent lamps with electronic ballast on the low voltage PLC network

The fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes are low pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamps that use fluorescence to produce visible light. These lamps inject noise into the power-line communications channel. This can have a detrimental effect on the power-line communication system. In this paper we investigate the effects when the fluorescent lamps with electronic ballasts are seen as noise sources on the powerline channel. It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3kHz-150kHz) the interference level from fluorescent lamps is significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels. In the band 150kHz-30MHz however, PLC signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) levels. The operational method of the electronic ballast inside the fluorescent lamp is explained.