Application area of balancing lighting capacitors

Balancing capacitors К78-99 are used for power factor correction of electromagnetic chokes of gas-discharge lamps and transformers in electric mains with the frequency of 50-60 Hz

Gas-discharge lamp principle of operation is based on keeping – by means of electric transformer – of the arc, which makes inert gas glow. This load type has big inductance, which leads to increased consumption of current. In order to reduce current consumption, as well as to increase power factor of lighting equipment, it’s necessary to include a capacitor into the circuit. Capacitor application allows to increase power factor up to cos 0.9.

There are several types of gas-discharge lamp compensation.

1. Capacitor connection parallel to supply network (Fig. 1). This connection type is most widely used by lighting technique manufacturers.
2. Capacitor connection in series with supply network (Fig. 2). This compensation type has its advantages and drawbacks. The advantage is that in this case there is no light glimmering effect. The drawback is that capacitor is subject to high load as a result of resonance, taking place between choke and capacitor. That’s why capacitors for this compensation type are manufactured for the rated voltage 450V.