User Guide

Luminance Contrast The relationship between
the luminances of an object and its immediate
background.
Luminance Ratio The ratio between the
luminances of any two areas in the visual field.
Lux (lx) A unit of illuminance equal to 1 lumen
per square meter.
Maximum Case Temperature All OSRAM
SYLVANIA electronic ballasts have a maximum
allowable case temperature of 70°C and 90°C
for magnetic fluorescent ballasts. Applications
in which the case temperature exceeds this
maximum void all warranties.
Maximum Overall Length (MOL) The total
length of a lamp, from top of bulb to bottom
of base.
Mean Lumens Lumen output of a light source
after the source has been used. Mean lumen
values for fluorescent and HID lamps are typically
measured at 40% of their rated lives. Most high
pressure sodium and mercury lamps are meas-
ured at 50% of their rated lives. All measurements
are made on ANSI reference ballasts. Mean
lumens are not typically measured for incandes-
cent and tungsten halogen lamps.
Mean Spherical Candela (MSCD) The average
value of the luminous intensity of a light source
in all directions. To convert MSCD to Lumens,
multiply by 4π (12.57).
Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF)
A calculation of ballast life based on thermal
conditions, component values, and circuit
characteristics used to develop relative predic-
tions of ballast life. OSRAM SYLVANIA uses
methodology that typically provides a 1:10 actual
life prediction based on MTBF calculations.
NAED A five-digit number used to identify a spe-
cific OSRAM SYLVANIA lamp. This NAED number
in this catalog is labeled Product Number and
should be used when ordering OSRAM SYLVANIA
products. NAED is the abbreviation for National
Association of Electrical Distributors.
Nanometer (nm) A unit of length equal to 10
-9
meters; commonly used as a unit of wavelength.
Nominal Watts Wattage used to describe a
lamp. Also see Power and Watt.
OFR Abbreviation for “ozone free” technology.
Lamps with the designation OFR do not generate
ozone during operation.
Operating Position Some lamps are specified/
designed to be operated in certain positions, i.e.,
horizontal or base up.
Ordering Abbreviation Provides a shorthand
description of the lamp, using a unique code
which can be used when ordering a lamp if the
Product Number is not known. An example would
be: CF15EL/R30/830/MED, which translates to a
15-watt Soft White DULUX
®
EL reflector electronic
self-ballasted compact fluorescent lamp with an
R30 reflector, 82CRI, 3000K color temperature
and a medium screw base.
PAR Lamps Pressed aluminized reflector lamp,
with the outer bulb formed from two pressed glass
parts that are fused or sealed together. PAR lamps
may be incandescent, halogen, or HID types.
Parallel vs. Series Wiring configurations for bal-
lasts. Ballasts with parallel lamp circuitry have the
benefit of companion lamps remaining lit, even if
one of the lamps operated by the ballast should
fail. Systems with series lamp wiring (magnetic
ballasts and many rapid start electronic types)
result in all lamps operated on the ballast going
out if one should fail.
Photo-Optic Specialty Lamps Photo-Optic
specialty lamps employ a variety of technologies
to meet the very precise levels of performance
required by the entertainment industry, science,
medical and other high-tech fields.
Power The rate at which energy is taken from
an electrical system or dissipated by a load,
expressed in watts (W); power that is generated by
a utility is typically expressed in volt-amperes (VA).
Power Factor A measure of the effectiveness
with which an electrical device converts volt-
amperes to watts; devices with power factors
(>0.90) are “high power factor” devices.
Preheat A class of fluorescents requiring a starter,
which allows the lamp and filaments to be properly
heated before allowing the ballast to supply the
correct current flow.
Product Number (See NAED.)
Programmed Rapid Start (PS) A method of
starting fluorescent lamps where cathode heat is
applied prior to lamp ignition, then removed or
reduced once the lamp has ignited. PROStart
®
ballasts maximize the number of lamp starting
cycles while maintaining energy efficiency. This is
the preferred mode of lamp starting for applica-
tions with occupancy sensors and several on/off
cycles per day. Additionally, the lamps will strike
reliably in cold conditions down to 0°F.
Rapid Start (RS) Rapid start ballasts apply
a low filament voltage to preheat the cathodes.
Simultaneously, a starting voltage (lower than that
used in instant start) is also applied to strike the
arc. When the cathodes are hot enough, the lamp
will strike. The filament voltage continues to be
applied throughout the operation of the lamp.
Rapid start ballasts appear to have a slight turn on
delay compared to instant start. They will typically
not be able to start lamps reliably under 50°F.
Reference Ballast A ballast specially construct-
ed to have certain prescribed characteristics for
use in testing electric-discharge lamps and other
ballasts. Reference ballasts are typically defined by
ANSI.
Reflector A device used to redirect the light by
the process of reflection. Photo-Optic reflector
lamps utilize ellipsoidal (converging light rays) or
parabolic (collimating light rays) reflectors. Dichroic
coated reflectors are designed to reflect visible light
and pass through unwanted infrared wavelengths.
Resistance (R) A measure of resistance to flow
of current, expressed in ohms
(Ω) .
Safety Ballasts should be installed and operated
in compliance with the National Electric Code
(NEC), Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) require-
ments, and all applicable codes and regulations.
Since it is possible to come in contact with poten-
tially hazardous voltages, only qualified personnel
should perform ballast installation. All installation,
inspection, and maintenance of lighting fixtures
should be done with the power to the fixture
turned off.
Shielding A general term to include all devices
used to block, diffuse or redirect light rays, includ-
ing baffles, louvers, shades, diffusers and lenses.
Single-Ended Lamps having a single lamp base
or point of electrical connection.
Spectral Power Distribution (SPD)
A curve illustrating the distribution of radiant power
produced by the lamp, at each wavelength across
the spectrum.
Spotlight A luminaire using halogen/incandescent
or a high intensity discharge (HID) lamp that pro-
duces a narrow beam angle designed to illuminate
a specifically defined area. It can also be called a
reflector lamp.
TCLP Test (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
Procedure)
Federal EPA regulations (RCRA of
1990) have defined a TCLP test to determine
whether wastes are to be treated as hazardous
or non-hazardous.
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) A measure
of the distortion of an electrical wave form.
Excessive THD (defined by ANSI as greater than
32%) may cause adverse effects to the electrical
system. <20% THD ballasts are fine for most
applications. However, in buildings with neutral
problems caused by high THD loads such as
computers, printers, DC supplies, etc., the <10%
THD products can help reduce the overall % of
Total Harmonic Distortion.
Transient Protection OSRAM SYLVANIA bal-
lasts meet ANSI 62.41 Category A. This helps
ensure immunity to electrical disturbances such as
power line transients, and temporary line voltage
dropouts, surges and sags.
Trigger Start A circuit used to eliminate the
starter and start the preheat lamp almost instantly.
In this circuit each electrode is connected to a
separate winding in the ballast so that the elec-
trode is continuously heated.
Tungsten Halogen Cycle A regenerative cycle
of tungsten and halogen atoms, which, when incor-
porated into the design of halogen light sources,
prevents blackening of the lamp envelope during life.
Voltage (V) A measure of electrical potential,
expressed in volts (V). Voltage is the “force” that
pushes electrical current through a conductor.
Watt (W) A unit of electrical power equal to 1
joule per second. Lamps are rated in watts to indi-
cate power consumption. Also see Nominal watts.
Wavelength
(
(
λ
λ
)
)
Distance between two succes-
sive points of a periodic wave; the wavelengths of
light are typically expressed in nanometers (nm),
or billionths of a meter.
Working Distance (See Focal Distance.)
xi