FLUORESCENT

STARTERS

&

CAPACITORS
FOR
LIGHTING
 Metallized polypropylene film capacitors for
lighting applications for use with gas discharge
Lamps
General information • Metal halide lamps
Discharge lamps are the most convenient light source, and These are used for the lighting of large surfaces, to simulate
have a very high efficiency level. daylight. Lamps of this kind, but of low power are used in
At the same level of absorbed power, a discharge lamp lighting shops and shop windows.
provides a light emission much higher than that of a
traditional incandescent lamp, while life and output in time Working principle
are also much longer.
• An electric arc is provoked between two electrodes suspended
Typology in the above mentioned gases or metal vapours. The arc is
Different base models are available, each of them has supplied by alternate current, therefore in case of a standard
optimal characteristics for various uses. 50Hz main it starts and extinguishes 100 times 0 per second.

Please consider the following range: • The electric arc is unstable: increasing the current, when its
• Fluorescent lamps resistance diminishes. Therefore it is necessary to stabilize the
arc by connecting in series an impedance, usually called 'ballast'
The discharge occurs in inert gas (neon-krypton-xenon,
or reactor.
etc.). Ultraviolet radiation is emitted, converted into
visible light. It is possible to obtain different light tones
including the solar one. Due to the high quality of the light • The 'ballast' is generally a more or less complex inductance,
and the low level of glare, these lamps are particularly which can include also the starting circuit (first ignition). The
suitable for domestic and industrial use. presence of the 'ballast' produces inevitably a great reduction of
the power factor (cos) of the group, up to values even lower
• Metal vapour lamps (mercury-vapour, sodium, high and than 0,5. To obtain the value of power factor requested today
low pressure). (cos(p > 0,9), it is necessary to provide a proper power factor
The modest quality of the emitted light (nearly correction by means of suitable capacitors.
monochromatic) is counterbalanced by a very high lighting
performance.
Typical applications:
Street lighting and flood lighting.
 Capacitors - Application notes
Parallel connection
The capacitor is directly connected to the mains, in parallel to the ballast-lamp group. Its voltage is
the same as the network voltage.

L = Lamp, S = Starter. B = Ballast, C = Capacitor, R = Discharge Resistor

The capacitor has only the function of power factor correction, it does not intervene in the functioning of the group.

Series connection
The power factor correction of the group and the elimination of the stroboscopic effect are simultaneously obtained,
since the ignition and the extinguishing of the arc in the two sides of the circuit (inductive and capacitive) are in
opposite phase.

The capacitor is directly hit by the current of the lamp. The presence of the inductance B causes a voltage increase to
the capacitors' terminals much higher than the mains voltage. (i.e. V main 250 Vac V capacitor 450 Vac).

Typical working conditions

Capacitors are generally located inside the fittings, where the temperature is always high. The duty is quite heavy,
since the lamp may remain continuously switched on. At the moment of the switching, some remarkable transient
overvoltages, can also take place.

The discharge resistor R is indispensable; if it is not incorporated in the capacitor or in its assembling fitting, it must
be included in the power supply.
 FSU Glowstarters for tubular fluorescent lamps

General characteristics

The Afcap starter is a device, other than an on/off switch, which is suitable for opening and closing the pre-heating circuit of a fluorescent
lamp for the purpose of starting the lamp.
The Afcap starter will operate reliable and consistently ignite your fluorescent lamp. They are fitted with a special radio interference
suppressor and are manufactured to the highest standards.

Technical data

Specifications FSU glowstarter

Lamp types T8 - T 12 600mm - 2400mm 4 - 80W
Ballast types Standard or low loss types

Supply voltage 200 - 250 Vac

Supply frequency 50 - 60 Hz

Temperature range 10°C / + 80°C

Starting time 1.8 - 2.5 seconds

Reference standards S.A.B.S. 1479 - 1989 / IEC 155 - 1983

Safety Government Gazette Notice No. 1489 14-7-1989

Approvals S.A.B.S. 1479-1989

Principle of Operations

When the supply is connected to the circuit the full mains voltage across the starter will establish a glow discharge and the
increase in temperature due to the discharge will dose the bimetalic contact in the starter. The circuit for the lamp
electrodes is now closed and they are now preheated before the ignition of the lamp can take place. The bimetalic contact
in the starter cools down due to the elimination of the glow discharge by the closure of the contact and when the contact
reopens the ballast will create a voltage sufficient to ignite the lamp. Once the lamp is on, the reduced voltage across the
starter is not large enough to produce a glow discharge and the starter will not re-close again.
Performances required of the capacitor
- Long working life (maximum 3% of pieces out of service after 30 000 hours)
- Wide range of working temperature, (at least -25 ... +85°C).
- No damages in case of failure
- High stability of the capacitance value during the working life, in particular for series connected capacitors.

Additional information
The life of a capacitor depends mainly on its working conditions. Temperature and voltage are particularly
important in this respect.

Temperature
It may be considered that each 10°C rise of the working temperature causes a 50% reduction of the capacitor life.
Usually the following formula is adopted:

where:
L(tx) is the capacitor life at temperature tx
L(tn) is the capacitor life at the maximum rated temperature

Voltage
A small rise of the working voltage causes a significant reduction of the capacitor life, according to the following
formula:

Where:
L(Ux) is the capacitor life at the voltage Ux
L(Un) is the capacitor life at the rated voltage
 Capacitors - General characteristics
- Dielectric: bi-axially oriented polypropylene
- Plates: self-healing metal layer deposited by evaporation under vacuum
- Rated voltages: from 230 to 440V (see each series)
- Rated frequency: 50 to 60 Hz
- Range of working temperature: from -25°C to +100°C (see each series)
- Climatic category: HPF/HMF (standard DIN 40040); 28/85/21 (standard CEI 34-26)
- Storage temperature: from -40°C to +100°C
- Reference standards: IEC 566 (ed.08-89); CEI 34-26 (ed-02-91); VDE 0560-6 SABS 1250-1979 IEC 1048-1991
- Approvals: see each series
- Materials used: not polluting, compatible with the environment.

Regulations - International approvals

The most qualified Approval Institutes has issued specific standards on this matter. The approvals are granted after the
positive conclusion of all the foreseen, carried out in the laboratories of the various Institutes or in the other ones, duly
authorised. For each standard there is a mark; the most recognised ones are:

In many countries it is forbidden to use capacitors which do not have the corresponding approval mark.

Electrical characteristics

General values relevant to capacitors with discharge resistor and leads

Capacitance required for parallel connection at 230/250Vac
(Values by way of example only: information provided by the manufacturers of lamps and ballast to obtain cos
p >0,9).

Remark:
For the correction of series power factor the capacitance is critical and is suggested by the manufacturer of
ballasts. In this application the capacitance tolerance must be close (±4%).

Metal –Halide Lamps Mercury Vapour Lamps

Lamp power (W) Capacitance Lamp power (w) Capacitance (uF)
35 6 50 7
70 12 80 8
100 12 125 10
150 20 250 18
250 30 400 25
400 30-40 700 40
1000 70-90 1000 60
2000 125

Sodium low- Pressure Lamps Sodium high- Pressure Lamps

Lamp power (W) Capacitance (uF) Lamp power (W) Capacitance (uF)
18 6 35 6
35 20 50 8
55 20 70 12
90 30 100 12
135 40 150 20
180 40 250 30-32
400 50
600 60
Fluorescent Lamps 1000 100
Lamp power (W) Capacitance (uF)
4-6-8-10-13 2
15 4
16 4,5
18-20-30-36-40 4,5 Remark: Higher capacitance values can be
22-32 5 obtained by connecting more capacitors in parallel.
2x36 9
58-65 7
80 10
115-125-140 18
 Plastic Case

Applications:
Metallized polypropylene film capacitors for power factor correction of lighting circuits

General characteristics:
- Dielectric: bi-axially oriented polypropylene film
- Plates: self-healing metal layer deposited by evaporation under vacuum
- Case: plastic, self-extinguishing and UV stabilised

Terminals:
- unipolar leads 0,8 mm on white PVC (105°C) 200 mm long (standard)
- faston 2,8 mm (optional)
- push-in wire adaptor (optional)

Discharge resistors:
included

Technical data
Reference standards IEC566 CEI 34-26 BS14017 SABS 1250-1979 IEC 1048/9

Operating voltage (voltage temperature) 250Vac -25 ... +85°C

Rated frequency from 50 to 60 Hz

Dissipation factor tgδ<30 x 104(Vn- 50Hz)

Voltage test, between terminals 375 Vac

Voltage test, between terminals and case 2000Vac

Capacitance tolerance ±10%

Assembly
- plastic stud M8 x 10 mm (standard)
- with clip-on fixing (standard)
- without clip-on fixing (optional)
 Product range for lighting applications

Rated Dimensions SABS IEC VDE

Capacitance 1250/ 1048/9 0560
(mm) 1979

(µF) D±0,5 L±2

2,0 25 55 # *
3,5 30 68 # * *
4,0 30 68 # * *
4,5 30 68 # * *
5,0 30 68 # * *
6,0 30 68 # * *
7,0 30 68 # * *
8,0 30 68 # * *
9,0 30 68 # * *
10,0 30 68 # * *
12,0 30 68 # * *
14,0 37 68 # *
15,0 37 68 # *
16,0 37 68 # *
18,0 37 68 # *
20,0 37 68 # *
25,0 40 93 # *
30,0 40 93 # *
35,0 45 93 # *
40,0 45 93 # *
45,0 52 93 # *

Note:
Other capacitor values available upon request For Clip-on applications, materials and
# = Approval * = Approval pending Paint Finish must not exceed 1.0 mm in
thickness.
 General characteristics

STADIUM HIGH MAST LIGHTING CAPACITORS

These single-phase capacitors are designed and suitable for use in high mast stadium lighting
applications, especially where the lights are switched on in stages. The capacitors are
manufactured with heavy-edge metallised polypropylene film which not only provides self-
healing properties but also increases the bonding between electrodes and endspray, thereby
improving the current carrying capacity and ensuring better capability to withstand
electromechanical stresses which occur due to switching surges. The self-healing metallised
electrodes can withstand voltage transients exceeding the rated voltage.
The capacitors are of the dry-type construction and are standard supplied in aluminium cases
and fitted with discharge resistors.

Technical data Overloads

Temperature range (case): -25°C to +70°C Voltage: 1.1Un
Capacitance tolerance: ±5% Current: 1.3 In
Test voltage terminal to 1.5 x rated voltage Max dv/dt: 25V/µsec
Test voltage terminal to case: 1.5KV 50Hz 60sec
Permissible relative humidity: Annual average < 95%,
on 30 days/year continuously 100%, on
other days occasionally 100%
Dewing not admissible

Part no. C Un In Termination L Lt ∅

µF
01-12-0004 30 440V 4.15A 1mm2 PVC 350mm 157mm 60mm
01-12-0015 60 440V 8.3A 1mm2 PVC 350mm 157mm 60mm
 Standard packaging

Can size DXL Number of PCS Approximate weight

25x55 200 8
30x68 125 5
37x68 125 8
40x93 100 12
45x93 75 12
52x93 75 12

All dimensions are in mm

Weight in kg (for indication only)

Standard box (cardboard)

Biodegradeable packing materials

Stock 3 A = 250 x B= 150 x C = 250

Stock 4 A = 300 x B = 230 x C = 300 (standard)