How ECT’S Electronic Ballasts provide more than
50% energy savings

When all the energy efficiency and light quality benefits provided by ECT’s electronic ballasts are combined, over 50% energy savings are realized. This is shown in the following table:

The following explains the energy efficiency and light quality benefits of
ECT’s electronic ballasts.

A. Extinction-free lamp operation: Provides 3% energy savings

50/60 Hz AC voltage swings between positive (+) and negative (-) values 50/60 times per second. When the voltage magnitude drops below 60V, the magnetic-ballast-operated HID lamp extinguishes. It re-ignites when voltage magnitude exceeds 60V. This is shown in the graph below.

Electronic ballasts operate on a different principle. Once ignited, HID lamps do not require re-ignition. They stay lit until the AC voltage is switched off. As a result, electronic ballasts require 3% less energy for generating 100% light, provide longer lamp life, and improve light quality.

B. Flicker-free light: Increases visibility

In addition to the periodic extinctions and re-ignitions, a magnetic–ballast-operated HID lamp creates light that increases and decreases periodically, which is called, “light flickering.” Depending on the 50 or 60 Hz AC line frequency, the light flickers at the rate of 100 or 120 times per second respectively. This is shown in the graph below.

In comparison, ECT’s electronic-ballast-operated HID lamp generates virtually flicker-free light.

C. Reduced color shift: Improves light quality

Periodic extinctions and re-ignitions as well as the light flickering caused by magnetic ballasts are also responsible for lamp color shift. In comparison, HID electronic ballasts significantly reduce color shift.

D. Superior lumen maintenance: Allows reduction in lamp wattage

Electronic ballasts provide superior lumen maintenance. The following graphs illustrate the lumen maintenance comparison between electronic and magnetic ballasts.

E. High power conversion efficiency:
Provides an additional 7% energy savings

ECT’s electronic ballasts waste much less energy when delivering power to HID lamps, resulting in higher power conversion efficiency. This is shown in the graph below.

F. Dimming

Unlike magnetic ballasts, ECT’s electronic ballasts can dim HID lamps, continuously and in discrete steps. Depending on the dimming level and the duration of the dimming period, additional energy savings can be realized.

G. Full cut-off fixtures:
More savings and less light pollution

Traditional exterior lighting uses a diffuser that sends light in all directions: down, sideways, and up into the sky, causing light pollution and more than 30% energy waste. Light pollution is the primary cause of glare, which can make it extremely difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists, traffic lights, etc. The newer fixtures, full cut-off fixtures, direct light down where it is needed, not sideways and not upward.

Full cut-off fixtures not only minimize light pollution but also utilize lower-wattage lamps for achieving the desired illumination. As an example, a 150W HID lamp electronic-ballast-operated full cut-off cobrahead luminaire can replace a 250W HID lamp magnetic-ballast-operated drop-lens cobrahead luminaire.

Based on the above assumptions and data each ballast will provide:

1. Energy savings per year:
(86W x 12 hours/day x 365 day/year)/1,000 ~ 377 kWh/year
2. Electricity costs savings per year:
377 kWh/year x $0.10/kWh ~ $38/year
3. Maintenance costs savings per year:
Electronic ballasts extend useful lamp life by at least two years. This will provide an estimated $12/year in maintenance costs savings.
4. Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions:
The 377 kWh/year in electricity savings will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 750 pounds per year.

The use of Electronic HID Ballast can free up 20 power plants
in the U.S

The following chart provides a detailed break down of the energy consumption in commercial, industrial, and outdoor sectors.

All these incandescent bulbs can easily be upgraded to lower-wattage ceramic metal halide (CMH) lamps; for example, a 2000 hour 75W halogen bulb can be upgraded to a 10,000 hour 20W CMH lamp. Similarly, all magnetic ballasts currently used to operate HID lamps can easily be upgraded to electronic ballasts. The CMH lamp upgrades will reduce energy consumption from 137 billion kWh to 51 billion kWh, and the HID electronic ballast upgrades will reduce energy consumption from 129 kWh to 92 kWh, which will provide 123 billion kWh total energy savings per year. This is shown in detail in the following chart.

Based on Energy Information Administration data, 123 billion kWh per year energy savings amounts to a 3% reduction in the total USA electricity consumption per year.

The summary benefits are as follows:

• 20 power plants in the USA can be freed up
• 246 billion pound reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per year