AS 3168-1991

1 - AS 3168-1991 APPROVAL AND TEST SPECIFICATION - FLUORESCENT LAMP BALLASTS
4 - PREFACE
5 - CONTENTS
6 - 1 SCOPE
6 - 2 REFERENCED DOCUMENTS
6 - 3 DEFINITIONS
6 - 3.1 Ballast
7 - 3.2 Electronic ballast
7 - 3.3 Independent ballast
7 - 3.4 Built-in ballast
7 - 3.5 Integral ballast
7 - 3.6 Reference ballast
7 - 3.7 Reference lamp
7 - 3.8 Thermal test lamp
7 - 3.9 Calibration current of a reference ballast
7 - 3.10 Supply voltage
7 - 3.11 Supply current
7 - 3.12 Circuit power factor (l)
7 - 3.13 Rated maximum operating temperature (of a capacitor): (tc )
7 - 3.14 Rated maximum operating temperature (of a reactive ballast winding): (t)
7 - 3.15 Rated maximum operating temperature (of an electronic ballast case): (t)
7 - 3.16 Rated temperature rise:
7 - 3.17 Working voltage
7 - 3.18 Rated voltage
7 - 3.19 Switch-start circuit
7 - 3.20 Starterless circuit
8 - 3.21 Instant-start circuit
8 - 3.22 Starter
8 - 3.23 Open-circuit voltage (starting voltage)
8 - 3.24 Running current
8 - 3.25 Degradation of insulation (of a ballast winding): (S)
8 - 3.26 Parallel cathode heating (or preheating)
8 - 3.27 Series cathode heating (or preheating)
8 - 3.28 Rectifying effect
8 - 3.29 Suppressor capacitor
8 - 3.30 Cathode heating transformer
8 - 4 COMPLIANCE WITH APPROVAL AND TEST SPECIFICATIONS
8 - 4.1 General requirements of AS 3100
8 - 4.2 Specific requirements of this Specification
8 - 4.3 Compliance with individual Specifications
8 - 5 ENCLOSURE OF INDEPENDENT BALLASTS
8 - 5.1 Properties of enclosure
8 - 5.2 Entry of conductors
8 - 5.3 Guarding of live parts
8 - 6 INSULATION OF WINDINGS
8 - 6.1 General
8 - 6.2 Insulating materials
8 - 7 CREEPAGE DISTANCES AND CLEARANCES
9 - 8 TERMINALS AND CONNECTING FACILITIES
9 - 8.1 Independent ballasts
9 - 8.2 Built-in ballasts
9 - 9 EQUIPMENT WIRING
10 - 10 EARTHING OF INDEPENDENT BALLASTS
10 - 11 FLEXIBLE CORD
10 - 12 CAPACITORS
10 - 12.1 Nominal capacitance exceeding 0.1
10 - 12.2 Radio interference suppression capacitors
10 - 13 OVERHEATING PROTECTIVE DEVICES
10 - 14 RESISTANCE TO CORROSION
10 - 15 MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF INDEPENDENT BALLASTS
10 - 16 MOISTURE RESISTANCE AND INSULATION
10 - 17 MARKING
10 - 17.1 Marking on independent and built-in ballasts
11 - 17.2 Marking on integral ballasts
11 - 17.3 Marking of separate components
11 - 18 INFORMATION FOR TEST BALLASTS
11 - 19 SUPPLY CURRENT
11 - 20 TESTS
11 - 20.1 General
11 - 20.2 Conditioning
12 - 20.3 Insulation resistance test
12 - 20.4 High voltage test
13 - 20.5 Capacitive current
13 - 20.6 Test of earthing facilities
13 - 20.7 Cord anchorage test
13 - 20.8 Supply current and waveform
14 - 20.9 Limitation of ballast heating
16 - 20.10 Voltage across capacitors (for reactive ballasts only).
17 - 20.11 Test of overheating protective devices
18 - 20.12 Mechanical strength of independent ballasts
20 - 20.13 Mechanical test of connecting facilities (built-in ballasts only).
20 - 20.14 Open-circuit voltage at the output terminals
20 - 20.15 Thermal endurance of reactive ballasts
20 - 20.16 Determination of ignitability and combustion propagation
21 - 20.17 Test for d.c. component
22 - APPENDIX A - GENERAL CONDITIONS OF TESTING
22 - A1 AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
22 - A2 SUPPLY VOLTAGE AND FREQUENCY
22 - A3 INSTRUMENT CHARACTERISTICS
23 - APPENDIX B - MEASUREMENT OF CURRENT WAVEFORM
23 - B1 TEST CIRCUIT
23 - B2 MEASUREMENT
25 - APPENDIX C - THE USE OF CONSTANTS S OTHER THAN 4500 FOR THE ENDURANCE TESTS OF REACTIVE BALLASTS
25 - C1 GENERAL
25 - C2 PROCEDURE
27 - APPENDIX D - THERMAL ENDURANCE TEST FOR WINDINGS OF REACTIVE BALLASTS
30 - APPENDIX E - CIRCUIT FOR MEASURING CAPACITIVE CURRENT

Specifies essential safety requirements for approval and test purposes and is intended to be read in conjunction with AS 3100. Based on IEC 920.

This specification prescribes safety requirements for reactive ballasts designed for use on a.c. supplies up to 1000 V at 50 Hz, associated with tubular fluorescent lamps having rated wattages, dimensions and characteristics as specified in AS 1201, and operated with or without a starter switch. It applies to the complete ballasts and to such components as reactors, transformers and capacitors having a capacitance of not more than 0.1 mF, which are incorporated in the ballasts or supplied as separate elements essential to the functioning of ballasts in fluorescent lamp circuits.This specification does not apply to the following:(a) Electronic ballasts designed for use on a.c. supplies up to 1000 V at 50 Hz, associated with tubular fluorescent lamps, requirements for which are specified in AS 3134(Int).NOTE: As from the publication date of this amendment, all requirements prescribed throughout this Standard, for electronic ballasts associated with tubular fluorescent lamps, no longer apply.(b) Ballasts designed for use with cold-cathode fluorescent lamps, requirements for which are specified in AS 3143.(c) Capacitors which are incorporated in starters. (d) Ballasts of the resistive type.NOTES:1. It is emphasized that only safety matters and closely allied conditions are specified herein. Attention is drawn to AS 2643 which contains requirements intended to ensure the satisfactory performance of ballasts in fluorescent lamp circuits.2. Attention is drawn to Clause 12, which specifies requirements for capacitors having a capacitance greater than 0.1 mF, and used in tubular fluorescent lamp circuits.

Under Revision see DR 02468 CP