Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with low voltage output, comprising a high voltage power supply (200) generating high voltage power (234) at a voltage and a frequency; a low voltage microcontroller (214) which is responsive to the voltage and the frequency of the high voltage power (234) and generates a low voltage drive signal (240); and a switch (216) operably connected to the high voltage power supply (200) and responsive to the low voltage drive signal (240). The low voltage output of the switch (216) can be used to drive auxiliary low voltage loads (220), such as a back-up incandescent lamp (116). The low voltage output can be responsive to HID lamp power, so that the back-up incandescent lamp (116) is energized when the HID lamp is not providing illumination.

Abstract: A high frequency electronic ballast for main loads, such as an HID lamp, includes a regulated low voltage output to drive auxiliary loads. A low voltage microcontroller generates a low voltage drive signal in response to voltage and frequency of a high voltage power supply. A switch operably connected to the high voltage power supply and responsive to the low voltage drive signal provides the regulated low voltage output to drive the auxiliary devices, such as a back-up incandescent lamp and/or an insulation detector. In one embodiment, the low voltage output may be responsive to the HID lamp power, e.g., a control signal from a ballast microcontroller, so that the back-up incandescent lamp is energized when the HID lamp is not providing sufficient illumination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with rail voltage switching which adjusts the DC rail voltage output (208) to account for different voltages of mains power (210), improving efficiency. The rail voltage switching comprises a mains power supply (200) providing mains power (210) and a mains voltage signal (212); a ballast microcontroller (206) responsive to the mains voltage signal (212) and generating a power factor correction (PFC) voltage signal (214); and a converter (204) operably connected to the mains power supply (200) and responsive to the PFC voltage signal (214) to generate a DC rail voltage output (208). For an embodiment using power factor control, the converter (204) comprises a coil (218), power factor correction (224), a switch (220), and a rectifier (222).

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with ignition and operation control, and method of use, comprising a ballast microcontroller (200) responsive to at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal and generating an HID lamp control signal; a parallel capacitive circuit (214) operably connected parallel to the HID lamp (216); an inductive circuit (212) operably connected to the parallel capacitive circuit (214); means for switching power (252) to the inductive circuit (212) in response to the HID lamp control signal; and means for monitoring the HID lamp (216) to generate at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal. In one embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be an ignition voltage signal (266). In another embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be a sensed rail voltage signal (256), a sensed lamp current signal (264), and a sensed lamp power signal (258).

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with rail voltage switching which adjusts the DC rail voltage output (208) to account for different voltages of mains power (210), improving efficiency. The rail voltage switching comprises a mains power supply (200) providing mains power (210) and a mains voltage signal (212); a ballast microcontroller (206) responsive to the mains voltage signal (212) and generating a power factor correction (PFC) voltage signal (214); and a converter (204) operably connected to the mains power supply (200) and responsive to the PFC voltage signal (214) to generate a DC rail voltage output (208). For an embodiment using power factor control, the converter (204) comprises a coil (218), power factor correction (224), a switch (220), and a rectifier (222).

Abstract: The present invention provides a high frequency electronic ballast with ignition and operation control, and method of use, comprising a ballast microcontroller (200) responsive to at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal and generating an HID lamp control signal; a parallel capacitive circuit (214) operably connected parallel to the HID lamp (216); an inductive circuit (212) operably connected to the parallel capacitive circuit (214); means for switching power (252) to the inductive circuit (212) in response to the HID lamp control signal; and means for monitoring the HID lamp (216) to generate at least one high intensity discharge (HID) lamp feedback signal. In one embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be an ignition voltage signal (266). In another embodiment, the HID lamp feedback signal can be a sensed rail voltage signal (256), a sensed lamp current signal (264), and a sensed lamp power signal (258).