Patent attributes
A ballast control may include a digitally controlled oscillator to provide a precise and consistent oscillation frequency for switching a half-bridge circuit in the electronic ballast. The ballast control may include a digital memory device for storing ballast control operational parameters. A controller can access the digital memory to retrieve parameter values and apply them to various ballast control components. A counter in the ballast control counts a number of events, such as an over current event, and provides a signal when a predetermined count is reached to contribute to identifying fault conditions. The controller may contain one or more timers to time durations related to events in the electronic ballast, such as the initiation of an ignition current. The digital nature of the ballast control permits a wide degree of flexibility in providing operational set points and reacting to conditions in the electronic ballast and simplifies the ballast control.
