UK - Power Gems, best known for its design and manufacture of electronic HMI ballasts, has released the first in a series of high frequency ballasts for the remote control of fluorescent fixtures used in the motion picture and TV lighting businesses. This four-tube model, FB4/2P, automatically drives both 4ft and 2ft tubes without the need for manual selection. Additionally, a local dimmer and a DMX512 input, provides continuous dimming from full light output at 75W down to 1% light output. Individual tube cut switches are provided for greater flexibility and save the need to disconnect tubes at the fixture. True tube running indicator LEDs are provided for each tube.The design team’s brief was to come up with a ‘rugged ballast’ with a reduced parts count. The result is a unique four-tube power circuit which employs just three FETs, including a ‘unity’ power factor corrected (alf) input, thus permitting its use worldwide on voltages from 90V -260V.
Power Gems’ tube ignition circuit has been demonstrated to strike tubes that other ballasts cannot, which may save the user money. The ballast is electronically protected against failure from live connection-disconnection of the fixture and reduces the risk of electric shock when re-connecting live end caps.
(Ruth Rossington)
