High-Frequency Control Gear - Cost Savings
Circuit Wattages can be reduced by up to 30%
Demand for high-frequency control gear is set to soar as lighting designers and installers look to comply with Part L of the Building Regulations. The regulations call for 45 lumens per circuit watt within offices as well as industrial and storage areas. In the case of offices, high–frequency fittings with triphosphor lamps offer the ideal solution.
However, there are many other benefits of switching to high–frequency control gear than just complying with regulations. First, is the reason why the regulations were introduced — energy–efficiency — as actual circuit wattages can be reduced by up to 30%.
In addition, lamp life is extended, because lamp cathodes are automatically pre–heated with soft–start ignition for an almost instant start, and defective lamps shut down automatically to avoid ballast damage. For these reasons the initial higher cost of the control gear can soon be recouped.
High–frequency control gear also eliminates the flicker that can sometimes occur when a luminaire runs on conventional switch start control gear, thereby ensuring compliance with BS EN 12464. This is especially important where rotating machinery is used — the flicker can make the machinery appear stationary — or where, as in schools or hospitals, the occupants may be susceptible to flickering lights.
Furthermore, luminaires run silently and have a lower operating temperature compared to conventional control gear, resulting in a cooler working environment with reduced loads on air conditioning systems.
Newey & Eyre and Neweys Online are brands of Rexel UK Limited, a
