Comparison of dimmable electromagnetic and electronic ballast systems - An assessment on energy efficiency and lifetime

There is a common misconception that energy saving is always equivalent to environmental protection. Compared with electromagnetic ballasts, electronic ballasts have a much shorter lifetime and are not recyclable. This prompts new concerns about their environmental impacts due to the accumulation of a huge amount of toxic and/or nonbiodegradable electronic waste components and materials. In this paper, the combined use of a central dimming system with low-loss electromagnetic ballasts is compared with electronic ballasts. Experimental results have confirmed that the use of a central dimming system for large electromagnetic-ballast-driven lighting systems can be as energy efficient as electronic ballasts. Considering the long lifetime (> 30 years) of electromagnetic ballasts and the recyclability of their magnetic chokes, this paper shows that such combined technology can provide an improved environmentally friendly and energy-saving solution for large-scale electric-lighting systems, particularly for lighting systems in large public areas. Due to the elimination of many electronic ballasts, this proposed technology has the potential of drastically reducing a huge amount of electronic waste. With the positive results obtained in this paper, it is hoped that international regulatory organizations would reconsider their current policies and promote lighting technology that is both environmentally friendly and energy saving.