This circuit does not require a filament in the lamp

L1 - 25W
C1, C2 - 0.1-1uF
D1, D2 - KTs405 or any similar diodes and assemblies.

Second scheme

This switching circuit differs from the standard one in that it adds a diode assembly, which eliminates the flickering effect of the lamp and reduces its ignition time.

Third scheme

More promising are starterless ignition devices, where the filaments are not used for their intended purpose, but act as electrodes of a gas-discharge lamp - they are supplied with the voltage necessary to ignite the gas in the lamp.

This circuit is designed to power lamps with a power of more than 40 W. Here the bridge rectifier is made using diodes VD1-VD4. And the “starting” capacitors C2, C3 are charged through thermistors R1, R2 with a positive temperature coefficient of resistance. Moreover, in one half-cycle, capacitor C2 is charged (through thermistor R1 and diode VD3), and in the other - SZ (through thermistor R2 and diode VD4). Thermistors limit the charging current of the capacitors. Since the capacitors are connected in series, the voltage across lamp EL1 is sufficient to ignite it.

If the thermistors are in thermal contact with the bridge diodes, their resistance will increase when the diodes heat up, which will reduce the charging current.

This option, unlike the one just discussed, is somewhat better for powering high-power lamps, since it quadruples the mains voltage.

Note
- If you have assembled a circuit and it does not work, then change the polarity of the starter.
- To facilitate ignition of the lamp, a ring rim of foil is glued to one end of its cylinder, connected by a conductor to the terminals of the opposite end.

List of radioelements

A fluorescent light bulb can be found in almost any room today. It is a source of daylight and makes it possible to save energy. Therefore, such lamps are also called housekeepers.

Appearance of a fluorescent lamp

But such products have one significant drawback - they burn out. And the reason for this is the combustion of the electronic filling - the throttle or starter. This article will tell you whether there is a way to connect fluorescent lamps without using a choke in the electrical circuit.

How does a housekeeper work?

The appearance of fluorescent lamps may vary. Despite this, they have the same operating principle, which is implemented thanks to the following elements that the device circuit usually contains:

• electrodes;
• phosphor - a special luminescent coating;
• glass flask with an inert gas and mercury vapor inside.

The structure of a fluorescent light bulb

This fluorescent lamp is a gas-discharge device with a sealed glass bulb. The gas mixture inside the flask is selected in such a way as to reduce the energy costs required to support the ionization process.

Note! For such lamps, in order to maintain the glow, you need to create a glow discharge.

To do this, a voltage of a specific value is applied to the electrodes of the fluorescent lamp. They are located on opposite sides of the glass flask. Each electrode has two contacts that connect to a current source. In this way, the space near the electrodes is heated.
The actual connection diagram for this light source consists of a series of sequential actions:

• heating of electrodes;
• then a high-voltage pulse is supplied to them;
• the optimal voltage is maintained in the electrical circuit to create a glow discharge.

As a result, an ultraviolet invisible glow is formed in the flask, which, passing through the phosphor, becomes visible to the human eye.
To maintain the voltage to create a glow discharge, the operating diagram of fluorescent lamps involves connecting the following devices:

• throttle It acts as a ballast and is designed to limit the current flowing through the device to an optimal level;

Choke for fluorescent light bulbs

• starter. It is designed to protect the fluorescent lamp from overheating. At the same time, it regulates the intensity of the electrodes.

Very often, the cause of breakdown of the housekeepers is the failure of the electronic ballast filling or the burnout of the starter. To avoid this, you can avoid using burnt-out parts in the connection.

Standard connection diagram

The standard circuit used for connecting fluorescent lamps can be modified (go without a choke).

This will minimize the risk of failure of the lighting fixture.

Switching option without ballast

As we found out, ballast plays an important role in the design of a fluorescent lamp. At the same time, today there is a scheme in which it is possible to avoid the inclusion of this element, which very often fails. You can avoid turning on both the ballast and the starter.

Pay attention! This connection method can also be used for burnt-out daylight tubes.
As you can see, this circuit does not contain a filament. In this case, the lamps/tubes will be powered through a diode bridge, which will create an increased DC voltage. But in such a situation, it is necessary to remember that with this method of power supply, the lighting product may darken on one side.

• In implementation, the above scheme is quite simple. It can be implemented using old components. For this type of connection you can use the following elements:
• 18 W tube/light source;

GBU 408 assembly. It will act as a diode bridge;

• Diode bridge

capacitors with an operating voltage not exceeding 1000 V, having a capacity of 2 and 3 nF.

Note! When using more powerful light sources, it is necessary to increase the capacitance of the capacitors used in the circuit.

It must be remembered that the selection of diodes for the diode bridge, as well as capacitors, must be carried out with a voltage reserve.
A lighting device assembled in this way will produce a glow slightly less bright than when using the standard connection option using a choke and starter.

What a non-standard connection option can achieve

Changing the usual method of connecting electrical components in fluorescent lamps is carried out in order to minimize the risk of device failure. Fluorescent lamps, despite having impressive advantages, such as excellent luminous flux and low energy consumption, also have some disadvantages. These include:

• during their operation they produce a certain noise (hum), which is due to the functioning of the ballast element;
• high risk of starter burnout;
• possibility of filament overheating.

The above diagram for connecting the components of the electrical circuit will avoid all these disadvantages. When using it you will receive:

• a light bulb that will light up instantly;

What does the assembly look like?

• the device will operate silently;
• there is no starter, which burns out more often than other parts when the lighting system is used frequently;
• It becomes possible to use a lamp with a burnt-out filament.

Here the role of a choke will be performed by a regular incandescent light bulb. Therefore, in such a situation there is no need to use expensive and rather bulky ballast.

Another connection option

There is also a slightly different suitable scheme:

Another connection option

It also uses a standard light source with a power approximately equal to a fluorescent lamp. In this case, the device itself must be connected to the power supply via a rectifier. It is assembled according to the classical scheme, used to double the voltage: VD1, VD2, C1 and C2.
This connection option occurs as follows:

• at the moment of switching on, there is no discharge inside the glass bulb;
• then double the network voltage drops on it. Thanks to this, the light is ignited;
• the device is activated without preheating the cathodes;
• after starting the electrical circuit, the current-limiting lamp (HL1) is turned on;
• at the same time, HL2 establishes the operating voltage and current. As a result, the incandescent lamp will barely glow.

To make the start reliable, you need to connect the phase output of the network to the current-limiting lamp HL1.
In addition to this method, you can use other variations of the standard switching circuit.

Conclusion

Using modifications to the usual method of connecting fluorescent lamps, it is possible to exclude an element such as a choke from the electrical circuit. In this case, it is possible to minimize the negative effects (for example, noise) that are observed when operating a standard lighting installation of this type.

Choosing a box for LED strips, correct installation

Fluorescent lamps have long been firmly established in our lives, and are now gaining the greatest popularity, as electricity is constantly becoming more expensive and the use of conventional incandescent lamps is becoming quite expensive. But not everyone can afford energy-saving compact lamps, and modern chandeliers require a large number of them, which calls into question cost savings. That is why more and more fluorescent lamps are being installed in modern apartments.

The device of fluorescent lamps

To understand how a fluorescent lamp works, you should study its structure a little. The lamp consists of a thin cylindrical glass bulb, which can have different diameters and shapes.

Lamps can be:

• straight;
• ring;
• U-shaped;
• compact (with base E14 and E27).

Although they all differ in appearance, they have one thing in common: they all have electrodes inside, a luminescent coating and an injected inert gas containing mercury vapor. The electrodes are small spirals that heat up for a short period of time and ignite the gas, due to which the phosphor applied to the walls of the lamp begins to glow. Since ignition coils are small in size, the standard voltage available in the home electrical network is not suitable for them. For this purpose, special devices are used - chokes, which limit the current to the nominal value, thanks to inductive reactance. Also, so that the spiral heats up briefly and does not burn out, another element is used - a starter, which, after igniting the gas in the lamp tubes, turns off the filament of the electrodes.

Throttle

Starter

Operating principle of a fluorescent lamp

A 220V voltage is supplied to the terminals of the assembled circuit, which passes through the inductor to the first spiral of the lamp, then goes to the starter, which fires and passes current to the second spiral connected to the network terminal. This is clearly seen in the diagram below:

Often a capacitor is installed at the input terminals, playing the role of a surge filter. It is through its operation that part of the reactive power generated by the inductor is extinguished, and the lamp consumes less electricity.

How to connect a fluorescent lamp?

The connection diagram for fluorescent lamps given above is the simplest and is intended for igniting one lamp. In order to connect two fluorescent lamps, you need to slightly change the circuit, following the same principle of connecting all elements in series, as shown below:

In this case, two starters are used, one for each lamp. When connecting two lamps to one choke, you should take into account its rated power, which is indicated on its body. For example, if it has a power of 40 W, then you can connect two identical lamps with a load of no more than 20 W to it.

There is also a diagram for connecting a fluorescent lamp without using starters. Thanks to the use of electronic ballast devices, lamps are ignited instantly, without the characteristic “blinking” of starter control circuits.

Electronic ballasts

Connecting a lamp to such devices is very simple: detailed information is written on their body and it is schematically shown which contacts of the lamp need to be connected to the corresponding terminals. But to make it completely clear how to connect a fluorescent lamp to an electronic ballast, you need to look at a simple diagram:

The advantage of this connection is the absence of additional elements required for starter lamp control circuits. In addition, by simplifying the circuit, the reliability of the lamp's operation increases, since additional connections of wires to starters, which are also rather unreliable devices, are eliminated.

Below is a diagram of connecting two fluorescent lamps to the electronic ballast.

As a rule, the electronic ballast device already comes with all the necessary wires for assembling the circuit, so there is no need to invent something and incur additional costs to purchase the missing elements.

How to check a fluorescent lamp?

If the lamp stops lighting, then the likely cause of its malfunction may be a break in the tungsten filament, which heats the gas, causing the phosphor to glow. During operation, tungsten gradually evaporates, settling on the walls of the lamp. At the same time, a dark coating appears on the edges of the glass bulb, warning that the lamp may soon fail.

How to check the integrity of a tungsten filament? It’s very simple, you need to take a regular tester with which you can measure the resistance of the conductor and touch the lead ends of the lamp with the probes.

The device shows a resistance of 9.9 ohms, which eloquently tells us that the thread is intact.

When checking the second pair of electrodes, the tester shows a complete zero; this side has a broken filament and therefore the lamp does not want to light up.

The break of the spiral occurs because over time the thread becomes thinner and the tension passing through it gradually increases. Due to the increase in voltage, the starter fails - this can be seen from the characteristic “blinking” of the lamps. After replacing burnt out lamps and starters, the circuit should work without adjustment.

If turning on the fluorescent lamps is accompanied by extraneous sounds or a burning smell is heard, you should immediately turn off the power to the lamp and check the functionality of all its elements. There is a possibility that there is slack in the terminal connections and the wire connection is heating up. In addition, the inductor, if made poorly, may have a turn short circuit in the windings and, as a result, failure of the fluorescent lamps.

With rising electricity prices, we have to think about more economical lamps. Some of these use daylight lighting fixtures. The connection diagram for fluorescent lamps is not too complicated, so even without special knowledge of electrical engineering you can figure it out.

Good illumination and linear dimensions - the advantages of daylight

Operating principle of a fluorescent lamp

Fluorescent lamps take advantage of the ability of mercury vapor to emit infrared waves under the influence of electricity. This radiation is transferred into the range visible to our eyes by phosphor substances.

Therefore, an ordinary fluorescent lamp is a glass bulb, the walls of which are coated with a phosphor. There is also some mercury inside. There are two tungsten electrodes that provide electron emission and heating (evaporation) of mercury. The flask is filled with an inert gas, most often argon. The glow begins in the presence of mercury vapor heated to a certain temperature.

But normal network voltage is not enough to evaporate mercury. To begin work, start-up and control devices (abbreviated as ballasts) are turned on in parallel with the electrodes. Their task is to create a short-term voltage surge necessary to start the glow, and then limit the operating current, preventing its uncontrolled increase. These devices - ballasts - come in two types - electromagnetic and electronic. Accordingly, the schemes are different.

Circuits with starter

The very first circuits with starters and chokes appeared. These were (in some versions they are) two separate devices, each of which had its own socket. There are also two capacitors in the circuit: one is connected in parallel (to stabilize the voltage), the second is located in the starter housing (increases the duration of the starting pulse). This whole “economy” is called electromagnetic ballast. The diagram of a fluorescent lamp with a starter and choke is shown in the photo below.

Connection diagram for fluorescent lamps with starter

Here's how it works:

• When the power is turned on, current flows through the inductor and enters the first tungsten coil. Next, through the starter it enters the second spiral and leaves through the neutral conductor. At the same time, the tungsten filaments gradually heat up, as do the starter contacts.
• The starter consists of two contacts. One is fixed, the second is movable bimetallic. In normal condition they are open. When current passes, the bimetallic contact heats up, which causes it to bend. By bending, it connects to a fixed contact.
• As soon as the contacts are connected, the current in the circuit instantly increases (2-3 times). It is limited only by the throttle.
• Due to the sharp jump, the electrodes heat up very quickly.
• The starter bimetallic plate cools down and breaks contact.
• At the moment the contact breaks, a sharp voltage surge occurs across the inductor (self-induction). This voltage is enough for electrons to break through the argon medium. Ignition occurs and the lamp gradually enters operating mode. It occurs after all the mercury has evaporated.

The operating voltage in the lamp is lower than the mains voltage for which the starter is designed. That's why it doesn't work after ignition. When the lamp is working, its contacts are open and it does not participate in its operation in any way.

This circuit is also called electromagnetic ballast (EMB), and the operating diagram of an electromagnetic ballast is called ballast. This device is often simply called a choke.

One of the EmPRA

There are quite a few disadvantages to this fluorescent lamp connection scheme:

• pulsating light, which negatively affects the eyes and they quickly get tired;
• noise during start-up and operation;
• inability to start at low temperatures;
• long start - about 1-3 seconds pass from the moment of switching on.

Two tubes and two chokes

In luminaires with two fluorescent lamps, two sets are connected in series:

• the phase wire is supplied to the inductor input;
• from the throttle output it goes to one contact of lamp 1, from the second contact it goes to starter 1;
• from starter 1 it goes to the second pair of contacts of the same lamp 1, and the free contact is connected to the neutral power wire (N);

The second tube is also connected: first the choke, from it to one contact of lamp 2, the second contact of the same group goes to the second starter, the starter output is connected to the second pair of contacts of the lighting device 2 and the free contact is connected to the neutral input wire.

Connection diagram for two fluorescent lamps

The same connection diagram for a two-lamp fluorescent lamp is demonstrated in the video. This might make it easier to deal with the wires.

Connection diagram for two lamps from one choke (with two starters)

Almost the most expensive in this scheme are the chokes. You can save money and make a two-lamp lamp with one choke. How - watch the video.

Electronic ballast

All the shortcomings of the scheme described above stimulated research. As a result, an electronic ballast circuit was developed. It does not supply a network frequency of 50 Hz, but high-frequency oscillations (20-60 kHz), thereby eliminating the flickering of light, which is very unpleasant for the eyes.

One of the electronic ballasts is electronic ballasts

The electronic ballast looks like a small block with terminals removed. Inside there is one printed circuit board on which the entire circuit is assembled. The block has small dimensions and is mounted in the body of even the smallest lamp. The parameters are selected so that the start-up occurs quickly and silently. You don't need any more devices to work. This is the so-called starterless switching circuit.

Each device has a diagram on the back side. It immediately shows how many lamps are connected to it. The information is also duplicated in the inscriptions. The power of the lamps and their number, as well as the technical characteristics of the device are indicated. For example, the unit in the photo above can only serve one lamp. Its connection diagram is on the right. As you can see, there is nothing complicated. Take the wires and connect the conductors to the indicated contacts:

• Connect the first and second contacts of the block output to one pair of lamp contacts:
• serve the third and fourth to the other pair;
• supply power to the entrance.

All. The lamp is working. The circuit for connecting two fluorescent lamps to electronic ballasts is not much more complicated (see the circuit in the photo below).

The advantages of electronic ballasts are described in the video.

The same device is built into the base of fluorescent lamps with standard sockets, which are also called “economy lamps”. This is a similar lighting device, only greatly modified.