High PF and Low RFI Too?

[TKM]

Recently, there was a discussion here about CFLs, power factor and flicker.
Now a lighting designer colleague has asked me if high PF and low RF
emissions are possible in the same self-ballasted CFL.

It seems to me like these are two separate issues. One involves the design
of the power circuit; the other the design of the high-frequency ballast
circuit and how well the parts are shielded or act like antennae. I know
that CFLs sold in the U.S. have to meet fairly tight consumer RF emission
limits; but there are no high PF products listed -- at least by the major
manufacturers. 0.6 PF is the highest that I can find. Anyone know of any
CFL high PF products or any reason that there can't be high PF and low RFI
too?

Terry McGowan

 

[[email protected]]

| Recently, there was a discussion here about CFLs, power factor and flicker.
| Now a lighting designer colleague has asked me if high PF and low RF
| emissions are possible in the same self-ballasted CFL.

You can have:

1. High PF
2. Low RFI
3. Low cost

Pick TWO!


| It seems to me like these are two separate issues. One involves the design
| of the power circuit; the other the design of the high-frequency ballast
| circuit and how well the parts are shielded or act like antennae. I know
| that CFLs sold in the U.S. have to meet fairly tight consumer RF emission
| limits; but there are no high PF products listed -- at least by the major
| manufacturers. 0.6 PF is the highest that I can find. Anyone know of any
| CFL high PF products or any reason that there can't be high PF and low RFI
| too?

I can imagine circuits that ensure high PF and low RFI. But they would be
big complex circuits (I'm not an EE, never took a circuit design course, so
don't count on my knowledge).

 

[Victor Roberts]

Recently, there was a discussion here about CFLs, power factor and flicker.
Now a lighting designer colleague has asked me if high PF and low RF
emissions are possible in the same self-ballasted CFL.

It seems to me like these are two separate issues. One involves the design
of the power circuit; the other the design of the high-frequency ballast
circuit and how well the parts are shielded or act like antennae. I know
that CFLs sold in the U.S. have to meet fairly tight consumer RF emission
limits; but there are no high PF products listed -- at least by the major
manufacturers. 0.6 PF is the highest that I can find. Anyone know of any
CFL high PF products or any reason that there can't be high PF and low RFI
too?

Terry McGowan

You are correct that these are separate issues.

I'm surprised that you can't find HPF CFLs from the major
manufacturers. GE used to make some and I assumed that
Philips and Osram Sylvania did also. I know that they are
available from the smaller manufacturers since one of my
clients makes them. (All triac-dimmable CFLs should be high
power factor.)

--
Vic Roberts
http://www.RobertsResearchInc.com
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[Liron]

EcoSpiral bulbs claim a power factor of 0.93

http://www.ecobulb.com/us/

Liron