Lamp-modelling, from the measurement to the simulation model

The electrical characteristics of fluorescent lamps requires controlled output circuits for dimmable ballasts. An advanced controller design, which applies the traditional controller theory, has to be based on a mathematical model of the fluorescent lamp. In this paper a new approach to model the dynamic behaviour of a fluorescent lamp is introduced. It builds on the well-known behaviour of the positive column and adds the dynamic that occurs in the dimming process. The input for the model is gained from direct measurements on the lamp. These measurements are fed into an optimisation algorithm, which minimises a proposed model uncertainty. The yielded model can then be used for a systematic controller design.