SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING FLICKER OF COMPACT GAS DISCHARGE LAMPS AT LOW LAMP LIGHT OUTPUT LEVEL

摘要

A lamp lighting system allows dimming of a compact gas discharge lamp to a lowlight output level without perceptible flicker. When the system receives arequest to dim the lamp to the low level, the lamp is operated at anintermediate output level prior to operating the lamp at the requested lowlevel. When the lamp cools to below a threshold temperature, the lamp is thenoperated at the requested low level. In one embodiment, the lamp is dimmedfrom its full rated output level to 1 % of its full rated output level. Theintermediate level is approximately 2% to 5% of this full rated level. Noflicker is perceived when the lamp level is reduced from the full rated levelto the low level. Upon cooling, no flicker and no change in output level areperceived when the lamp is subsequently reduced from the intermediate level tothe low level.