High-pressure sodium lamps to replace MBF lamps in existing installations

Abstract

The filling gas of the conventional high pressure sodium lamp is xenon. To obtain the initial ionization of these lamps an electronic circuit which generates high-voltage pulses is necessary. It is impossible to replace a mercury lamp with a normal high pressure sodium lamp. If the xenon is replaced by a Penning mixture of neon-argon gas in combination with an auxiliary electrode, it is possible to ignite a high pressure sodium lamp on a supply voltage of ≤190 V. With this solution it was possible to develop the SON-H lamp which can be used in existing mercury installations equipped with inductive ballasts. No further changes need be made on these installations and users obtain more light for less power.