User Guide

Energy A measure of work done by an electrical
system over a given period of time, often
expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Filament A tungsten wire purposely positioned
inside a lamp bulb, that when heated electrically
generates radiation in the visible, infrared and ultra-
violet ranges. Tungsten material is most often
used, as it has great tensile strength, is very
durable, and can be heated very near its melting
point without evaporating rapidly. Lamp filaments
are offered in a variety of designs optimized for
specific applications.
Fixture (See Luminaire.)
Floodlight A reflector lamp with a relatively wide
beam pattern. Also a luminaire consisting of lamp
and reflector at fixed distance providing a wide
field of illumination.
Fluorescent Lamp A low pressure mercury
vapor discharge light source. The electric discharge
generates ultra-violet (UV) energy, which is absorbed
by a phosphor and converted to visible light.
Focal Distance The distance between a lamp
(light producing element) and the focal point of
the reflector surrounding it. Lamp alignment can
be adjusted to influence both illumination and
color quality. Sometimes referred to as “working
distance”.
Footcandle (fc) A unit of illuminance equal to
1 lumen per square foot.
Frequency The number of times per second that
an alternating current system reverses from posi-
tive to negative and back to positive, expressed in
cycles per second or hertz (Hz).
Fusing All QUICKTRONIC
®
ballasts contain
inherent electrical protection. Although there is
no need to externally fuse the ballast, should
code or regulation require one, 3 amp slow blow
fuses are recommended.
Glow to Arc Transition In order to achieve full
rated lamp life, a ballast should start a lamp so
that the time from when the lamp begins to glow
to the time the lamp arc strikes should be as short
as possible. OSRAM SYLVANIA instant start bal-
lasts typically accomplish this task within 50 msec.
Grounding The ballast case and fixture must
always be grounded. The grounding helps assure
safety, proper lamp starting, and acceptable EMI/RFI
performance. Install ballast in accordance with nation-
al and local electric codes.
Halogen Lamps High pressure tungsten
filament lamps containing halogen gases. The
halogen gases allow the filaments to operate at
higher efficacies than incandescent lamps.
Halogen lamps also provide brighter, whiter light
with better color characteristics, longer service
life and improved energy efficiency.
Harmonic An electrical frequency that is an
integer multiple of the fundamental frequency; for
example, if 60 Hz is the fundamental frequency,
then 120 Hz is the second harmonic and 180 Hz
is the third harmonic. Some electronic devices,
such as ballasts or power supplies, can cause
harmonic distortion, directly affecting power quality.
Hertz (Hz) A unit of frequency equal to one cycle
per second; see frequency.
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps
Lamps in which an arc passing between two elec-
trodes in a pressurized tube causes various metallic
additives to vaporize and release large amounts of
light. All HID lamps offer outstanding energy effi-
ciency and service life. Metal halide lamps also
offer good to excellent color rendering index (CRI).
Hot Ignition The restarting of a previously
operating lamp shortly after turn-off. Hot ignition
is a high performance feature in many OSRAM
SYLVANIA discharge lamp types.
Illuminance Light arriving at a surface, expressed
in lumens per unit area; 1 lumen per square foot
equals 1 footcandle, while 1 lumen per square
meter equals 1 lux.
Incandescent Lamp A light source using
the principle of incandescence. When an electric
current passes through a filament wire (usually tung-
sten), the heated wire glows. Filaments of standard
incandescent lamps are enclosed in a vacuum or
gas-filled bulb. They provide low initial cost, good
color rendition and excellent optical control.
Instant Start (IS) Instant start ballasts apply high
voltage across the lamp with no preheating of the
cathode. This is the most energy efficient starting
method for fluorescent lamp ballasting. IS ballasts
use 1.5 to 2 watts less per lamp than rapid start
ballast. Other IS ballast benefits typically include
parallel lamp circuitry, longer remote wiring dis-
tance, easier installation due to less complicated
wiring, and capability to start lamps at 0 degrees
(versus 50 degrees F for rapid start).
K-Factor A measurement that quantifies the
effect of non-linear equipment, such as lighting
ballasts, on an electrical system. Lighting systems
should be designed so that the transformer rating
is sufficient for the ballast used (typically K-factor
<4). All OSRAM SYLVANIA ballasts meet this
specification.
Lamp Manufactured light source, synonymous
with light bulb; the three broad categories of
electric lamps are incandescent, fluorescent
and high-intensity discharge.
Lamp Current Crest Factor (LCCF) The ratio
of peak lamp current to the RMS (average) lamp
current. Lamp manufacturers require a LCCF of
less than 1.70 in order to achieve full lamp life.
Lamp Disposal When disposing of spent lamps,
always consult federal, state, local and/or provincial
hazardous waste disposal rules and regulations to
ensure proper disposal.
Lamp Flicker Cyclic variation in output of a light
source. High frequency electronic ballasts provide
a minimal level of lamp flicker. Lamp flicker from
magnetic ballasts may cause eye fatigue for some
people.
Lamp Fuse Wire or device designed to protect a
lamp from over-voltage or over-current conditions.
OSRAM requires that all Photo-Optic lamps be
fused in their applications to prevent lamp over-
powering. Certain lamps contain their own internal
fuse. Please ensure lamps in your specific applica-
tion are fused with respect to their power source.
Lamp Lumen Depreciation Factor (LLDF)
The multiplier to be used in illumination calcula-
tions to relate the initial rated output of light
sources to the anticipated minimum rated output
based on the relamping program to be used.
(See Lumen Depreciation and Mean Lumens.)
Lens A glass or plastic element used in luminaires
to change the direction and control the distribution
of light rays.
Light Radiant energy that is capable of producing
a visual sensation.
Light Center Length (LCL) The distance from
a specified reference point on a lamp base
to its light center.
Light Loss Factor (LLF) A factor used in
calculating illuminance after a given period of time
and under given conditions. It takes into account
temperature and voltage variations, dirt accumula-
tion on luminaire and room surfaces, lamp depre-
ciation, maintenance procedures and atmosphere
conditions. Formerly called maintenance factor.
Low Temperature Starting QUICKTRONIC
®
instant start and programmed rapid start electron-
ic ballasts have the capability to start fluorescent
lamps at temperatures down to 0°F providing the
following conditions are met: 1. The ballast is
operated at rated nominal line voltage; 2. Ballast
cannot be tandem/remote wired for low tempera-
ture starting applications. Please note, starting
time may increase at 0°F ambient temperatures.
Enclosed fixtures are recommended as fluores-
cent lamps have reduced light output at cooler
ambient temperatures. (See specifications for
each model’s starting temperature rating.)
LPW Performance Lumens Per Watt. The
number of lumens produced by a light source for
each watt of electrical power supplied to the light
source. Also see Efficacy.
Lumen Depreciation The decrease in lumen
output of a light source over time; every lamp type
has a unique lumen depreciation curve (sometimes
called a lumen maintenance curve) depicting the
pattern of decreasing light output. See Lamp Lumen
Depreciation Factor, LLDF and Mean Lumens.
Lumen Maintenance (See Lumen Depreciation.)
Lumens (lm) A unit of luminous flux; overall light
output; quantity of light, expressed in lumens. For
example, a dinner candle provides about 12
lumens and a 60-watt soft white incandescent
lamp provides about 840 lumens.
Luminaire A light fixture; the complete lighting
unit, including lamp, reflector, ballast, socket,
wiring, diffuser and housing.
Luminaire Efficiency The ratio of luminous flux
(lumens) emitted by a luminaire to that emitted by
the lamp or lamps used therein.
Luminance (L) Light reflected in a particular
direction; the photometric quantity most closely
associated with brightness perception, measured
in units of luminous intensity (candelas) per unit
area (square feet or square meters).
x