Research on the Parameter Optimization of Electronic Ballast for UV-Lamps Considering Its Lifetime and UVC Irradiance

To enhance the UVC irradiation and prolong the life span of UV-lamps, parameter optimization is conducted for electronic ballasts. In this paper, the double capacitor topology is adopted and the effects of different ratios of shunt capacitors are investigated. Experiments are performed under different lamp power levels for each shunt capacitor ratio. The irradiance in each waveband emitted by the UV-lamp is measured using illuminometers and the variation trends are studied based on the excitation characteristics of mercury atoms. The effective lifetime of the UV-lamp is obtained through application tests, and it is verified to be remarkably prolonged when the double capacitor topology is adopted. Analyses and comparisons are discussed and an optimum shunt capacitor ratio is obtained, taking both increasing the UVC irradiation and prolonging the lifetime of the lamp into consideration.