Abstract: The metal halide lamp is a high energy electric lamp that produces visible light by an electric arc tube and it is a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) that contains a fused quartz and mixture of gases. These lamps inject noise into the smart-grid power line communications (PLC) network. This can have a strong and negative effect when using the PLC system to control the automatic switching of lamps in public places. In this paper we investigate the effects when the metal halide lamps with electronic or electromagnetic ballasts are seen as noise sources on the smart-grid power line network. It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3 kHz – 150 kHz) the interference level from metal halide lamps is significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels. In the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz however, PLC signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) levels. The operational methods of the electronic and electromagnetic ballasts when connected to the metal halide lamps are explained

De Beer, A. S.

Emleh, A.

Ferreira, Hendrik C.

Han Vinck, A. J.

English

De Beer, A.S.

Ferreira, H.C.

Vinck, A.J. Han

Name not available

Noise Generated By Modern Lamps and the Influence on 
the Smart-Grid Communication Network 
   A. Emleh,   A.S. de Beer,   H.C. Ferreira  
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering 
Science  
University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, 
Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa 
{aemleh, asdebeer, hcferreira}@uj.ac.za 
A.J. Han Vinck  
Institute for Experimental Mathematics 
Duisburg-Essen University 
Ellernstr. 29, D-45326, Essen, Germany 
{han.vinck}@uni-due.de
 
 
Abstract—The metal halide lamp is a high energy electric lamp 
that produces visible light by an electric arc tube and it is a type 
of high-intensity discharge (HID) that contains a fused quartz 
and mixture of gases. These lamps inject noise into the smart-grid 
power line communications (PLC) network. This can have a 
strong and negative effect when using the PLC system to control 
the automatic switching of lamps in public places. In this paper 
we investigate the effects when the metal halide lamps with 
electronic or electromagnetic ballasts are seen as noise sources on 
the smart-grid power line network. It is shown that in the 
CENELEC band: (3 kHz – 150 kHz) the interference level from 
metal halide lamps is significantly below the allowed maximum 
PLC signal levels. In the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz however, PLC 
signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) 
levels. The operational methods of the electronic and 
electromagnetic ballasts when connected to the metal halide 
lamps are explained. 
Keywords—Metal Halide Lamp; Electronic Ballast; 
Electromagnetic Ballast; Power Line Communications; PLC; 
Interference; EN 50065-1; EMC.  
I. INTRODUCTION 
The metal halide lamp is a high energy light source, 
typically 150, 250, 400, 575 and 1200 watts, mostly used for 
outdoor purposes and is a compound of mixture of gases, such 
as: metal with bromine, argon or iodine which gives an average 
luminous output of 65-115 Lumens/Watt, but they require a 
few minutes of a warm-up period in order to reach the full light 
output status. The lamp is used for industrial, commercial, and 
public spaces, such as parking lots, factories, security lighting, 
street lighting, sports arenas and automotive headlamps. Fig. 1 
shows the inside components of a metal halide lamp [1]. 
Metal halide lamps use igniters and electrical ballasts to 
start and regulate the lamp operating current flowing through 
the lamp after it has been started, as well as to maintain suitable 
voltage and current wave shapes. There are two main types of 
ballasts, electronic and electromagnetic ballasts that can have 
different names, such as probe-start ballasts, pulse-start 
ballasts, and solid-state ballasts. 
Electrical ballast is a device intended to limit the amount of 
current in an electric circuit and it uses a half-bridge inverter 
and a boost dc-dc converter. A familiar and widely used 
example is the inductive ballast used in fluorescent lamps or 
metal halide lamps [2], [3]. 
Ballasts vary in design complexity: they can be as simple as 
electromagnetic ballasts or as complex as electronic ballasts 
used with metal halide lamps and high-intensity discharge 
lamps. The electronic ballasts are considered better than the 
electromagnetic ballasts since they provide better energy 
efficiency (Lumen/Watt), cause less interference to the low 
voltage network, they are smaller and lighter than the 
electromagnetic counterparts and they prolong the lamp’s life 
[4].  
               
Fig. 1.  The inside structure of the metal halide lamp 
 
However, metal halide lamps with 
electronic/electromagnetic ballasts do inject undesired noise 
into the power-line communications channel.  
 It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3 kHz – 150 kHz) 
the interference level from the metal halide lamps is 
significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels 
and therefore poses no threat to the power-line 
communications. In the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz however, 
PLC signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility 
levels. 
This paper investigates the effects when metal halide 
lamps with electronic/electromagnetic ballasts are seen as 
interference sources on the wiring system of the smart-grid 
communication network. Two different measurement set-ups 
(depending on the ballast type) are given.  
The procedure of the measurements was made to comply with 
CENELEC narrowband rules in one case, and to serve the 
broadband signals in the other case [5]. The power-line 
regulations were considered when performing related 
measurements. 
 II. MEASUREMENT SET-UP
The measurement set-up used is shown in
A metal halide lamp is supplied with 220
isolation transformer and Line Impeda
Network (LISN). The isolation transformer is
causes an earth-leakage current to flow, tha
Floating the LISN rectifies this fault condit
used in this set-up has two functions  
Firstly, it filters noise from the 
measurement side (current probe and
in Figs. 2 & 3) is therefore clean from
power-line and an accurate assessm
produced by the metal halide lamp
made. A clean 50Hz 220V AC is sup
halide lamp. 
Secondly, it supplies a standardized
conducted interference created by m
At higher frequencies (typically > 
load impedance presented by the L
the metal halide lamp) is 50Ω. 
Measurements and conclusions in this p
two regions of the emission spectrum: 
• 3 kHz – 150 kHz: This is the frequen
called CENELEC bands as defined b
Measurements for these bands w
frequency domain to obtain harm
resulted spectral density shape. A R
Spectrum Analyzer and Tektronix 
probe were used. It was assumed 
Mode (CM) currents are negligible
that all interference is in Differential
assumption also used in EN 5006
downloaded to a PC for processing.
Figs. 3 & 4, depending on the used ba
 
Fig. 2.  Set-up for measurements in the 3kHz – 30MHz 
Ballast). 
 
 
 Figs. 2 & 3.  
VAC through an 
nce Stabilization 
 used as the LISN 
t trips the supply. 
ion. The LISN as 
AC supply. The 
 metal halide lamp 
 any noise on the 
ent of the noise 
 can therefore be 
plied to the metal 
 noise load to the 
etal halide lamp. 
1MHz) the noise 
ISN (and seen by 
aper are made for 
cy range of the so 
y EN 50065-1 [6]. 
ere made in the 
onics from the 
hode & Schwarz 
TCP0030 current 
that the Common 
 in this band and 
 Mode (DM) – an 
5-1. Results were 
 This is shown in 
llast. 
 
range (Electronic 
 
 
• 150 kHz – 30 MH
for Broadband 
traditionally used 
as per CISPR-16
frequency range w
Schwarz Spectru
TCP0030 current p
Fig. 3.  Set-up for measurements in the
(Electromagnetic Ballast). 
 
ELECTRICAL B
There is a common structur
used with the metal halide lam
amplifiers and electronic comp
 
 
Fig. 4.  Electrical ballast driver. 
Metal halide lamps require 
starting of the lamps, and st
lamp, as well as to provide a
voltage. Those electrical ballas
the supply frequency into h
z: This is the frequency range 
PLC. It spans the range 
to measure conducted emissions 
 [7]. Measurements for this 
ere also made using a Rhode & 
m Analyzer and Tektronix 
robe as shown in Figs. 2 & 3. 
 
 3kHz – 30MHz range 
ALLAST DRIVER 
e of the electrical ballast drivers 
ps, which consists of different 
onents as shown in Fig. 4.  
 
a ballast to start and regulate the 
abilize the current through the 
n appropriate sustaining supply 
ts employ transistors to change 
igh-frequency AC while also 
regulating the current flow in the lamp. Electrical ballasts 
typically work in rapid start or instant start mode, and are 
commonly supplied with AC power, which is internally 
converted to DC and then back to a variable frequency AC 
waveform. However, metal halide lamps require a few minutes 
to warm-up and reach their full light output. 
 
III. HARMONICS - CENELEC BANDS 
Harmonics are seen as a serious challenge to the power line 
system. In order to determine what effect the harmonics of a 
metal halide lamp have on the power-line communications 
channel, a Tektronix TCP0030 current probe is used in this 
type of measurements. The obtained current harmonics 
(magnitude) must be represented in frequency domain 
waveforms. This is done by performing a Discrete Fourier 
Transform (DFT) and multiplying the current harmonics with 
the LISN impedance values that is used for measurements 
(Figs. 2 & 3) to get the voltage values. The LISN 
characteristics are specified in EN 50065-1. 
Fig. 5 gives the results when the harmonics (in voltage) are 
plotted against the CENELEC EN 50065-1 standards for 
maximum power-line communications signal and EMC levels. 
The frequency domain harmonics (magnitude) for the 
waveforms in Fig. 5 are performed using electronic ballast 
when having a steady-state (continuously on) noise 
measurement. The steady-state means that the 220V AC is on 
and the harmonics are continuously shown on the screen of the 
spectrum analyzer. This is the so-called warm-up period, the 
time that the lamp needs to reach its full output. Another 
measurement is performed when applying switch-off to the 
metal halide lamp power button, and having the lamp switched 
on within a small period of time, typically a few seconds. This 
status is called the re-power or re-heats period. The obtained 
signal during this period can be categorized as an affected 
signal that partially affects the power line communications 
channel.  
Fig. 6 shows the harmonics when using electromagnetic 
ballast for this type of measurements. Higher interference 
levels are noticed when performing the repower measurements, 
as well as when the lamp reheated itself and went on again. By 
 
       Fig. 5. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 3 kHz – 150 kHz range (Electronic Ballast). 
 
comparing the obtained results from both types of ballasts, one 
can assume that the PLC channel gets more affected by the 
harmonics that were obtained from the electromagnetic ballast 
in this band.  
 
IV. BROADBAND SPECTRUM 
This section presents the broadband spectrum measurements 
where a similar procedure of experiments and measurements to 
those of the CENELEC bands was performed. The metal halide 
lamps with electronic or electromagnetic ballasts do generate 
undesired noise in the broadband PLC spectrum (150 kHz – 30 
MHz). This is shown in Figs. 7 & 8.  
Fig. 7 shows the measurements that were performed using a 
metal halide lamp with electronic ballast on several stages. The 
PLC channel gets more infected when the lamp is switched on 
after it was switched off and a few minutes were allowed 
before it reheated itself.  
A metal halide lamp with electromagnetic ballast was used 
for the measurements shown in Fig. 8. This is the worst 
scenario for power line communications, as the obtained 
frequency domain harmonics in this set of measurements 
compete with or exceed the Electromagnetic Compatibility 
levels. 
Fig. 7 shows the interference voltage from the metal halide 
lamp versus the EMC average and peak/quasi-peak disturbance 
level limits in the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz. In the CENELEC 
bands from 3 kHz – 150 kHz there are dedicated maximum 
signal transmission levels. These do not exist in the 150 kHz – 
30MHz band and maximum signal transmission is assumed to 
be at the EMC limit levels. The EMC level is the maximum 
level at which PLC signals are allowed to be transmitted. For 
the 150 kHz – 30 MHz band therefore the signal to noise ratio 
(S/N) is low. This will affect the maximum theoretical PLC 
transmission capacity as can be seen from the Shannon 
theorem: 
 
ܥ ൌ ܤ ݈݋݃ଶሺ1 ൅ ௌேሻ                   (1) 
 
Where: C is the channel capacity in bits per second, B is the 
bandwidth of the channel in hertz, S is the average received 
signal power over the bandwidth measured in watts (or volts 
squared); N is the average noise or interference power over the 
 
Fig. 6. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 3 kHz – 150 kHz range (Electromagnetic Ballast). 
bandwidth, measured in watts (or volts squared); and S/N is 
the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or the carrier-to-noise ratio.  
 
V. DISCUSSION AND ILLUSTRATION 
From a PLC standpoint, the metal halide lamp with 
electronic or electromagnetic ballast is preferred as it doesn’t 
cause noise (close to the maximum allowable PLC signal level) 
in the 3 kHz – 150 kHz band. The metal halide lamps will only 
become a more favorable lighting solution (in PLC terms) if 
statuary signal limits are lifted in the 150 kHz – 30 MHz band. 
However, by comparing the noise measurements in Figs. 5 – 8 
to the measured noise floor, we can describe the power line 
communications channel as an affected channel. 
VI. CONCLUSION 
This paper studied the behavior of the electronic and 
electromagnetic ballasts that are used with metal halide lamps. 
Several experiments and measurements have been conducted to 
illustrate the effects of metal halide lamps with electrical 
ballasts on the power line communications channel. 
 
It has been shown that metal halide lamps produce noise and 
affect the 3 kHz – 150 kHz CENELEC bands, but this 
interference level is below the allowable PLC signal level and 
therefore poses no threat to the PLC channel. 
For the broadband spectrum (150 kHz – 30 MHz), metal 
halide lamps however inject noise into the PLC channel, where 
the signal level is governed by EMC standards. This 
interference competes with the EMC levels and can be seen as 
a serious risk to the power line communications.  
 
 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
This work is based on the research supported in part by the 
National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant specific 
unique reference number (UID) 85884). 
 
Fig. 7. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 150 kHz – 30 MHz range (Electronic Ballast). 
 REFERENCES 
[1] M. Sugiura, “Review of metal-halide discharge-lamp 
development 1980-1992”, IET Proceedings: Science, 
Measurements & Technology, Vol. 140, Issue 6, Publication 
Year: 1993, pp. 443 – 449. 
[2] K. Takahashi, M. Jinno, M. Aono, “The study of electronic 
ballast for fluorescent lamp with an electronic device given two 
functions”, IEEE Industry Applications Conference, Vol. 5, 
Publication Year: 2000, pp.3382-3387. 
[3] C. S. Moo, S. Y. Tang, C. R.  Lee, J. H. Chen, W. T. Tsai, 
“Investigation Into High-Frequency Operating Characteristics of 
Metal-Halide Lamps”, IEEE Transactions On Plasma Science, 
APEC 2001, Vol. 37, Issue 11, Publication Year: 2009, pp.2234-
2240. 
[4] T. J. Liang, W. H. Fu, Y. M. Chen, K. H. Su, “High frequency 
electrical characteristics of various metal-halide lamps”, IEEE  
International Conference On Power Electronic Drives and 
Energy Systems for Industrial Growth, Vol. 2, Publication Year: 
1998, pp.694-699. 
[5] H. C. Ferreira, L. Lampe, J. Newbury and T. G. Swart, Power 
Line Communications: Theory and Applications for Narrowband 
and Broadband Communications over Power Lines, Chichester, 
England: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. 
[6] EN 50065-1: Signaling on low-voltage electrical installations in 
the frequency range 3 kHz to 148,5 kHz - Part 1: General 
requirements, frequency bands and electromagnetic 
disturbances. European Standard, CENELEC, Ref. No. EN 
50065-1:2011 E, Brussels, April 2011. 
[7] CISPR 16: Specification for radio disturbance and immunity 
measuring apparatus and methods, International 
Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fig. 8. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 150 kHz – 30 MHz range (Electromagnetic Ballast). 


Noise generated by modern lamps and the influence on the smart-grid communication network

University of Johannesburg Institutional Repository

Noise Generated By Modern Lamps and the Influence on the Smart-Grid Communication Network    A. Emleh,   A.S. de Beer,   H.C. Ferreira  Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Science  University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Auckland Park, 2006, South Africa {aemleh, asdebeer, hcferreira}@uj.ac.za A.J. Han Vinck  Institute for Experimental Mathematics Duisburg-Essen University Ellernstr. 29, D-45326, Essen, Germany {han.vinck}@uni-due.de  Abstract—The metal halide lamp is a high energy electric lamp that produces visible light by an electric arc tube and it is a type of high-intensity discharge (HID) that contains a fused quartz and mixture of gases. These lamps inject noise into the smart-grid power line communications (PLC) network. This can have a strong and negative effect when using the PLC system to control the automatic switching of lamps in public places. In this paper we investigate the effects when the metal halide lamps with electronic or electromagnetic ballasts are seen as noise sources on the smart-grid power line network. It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3 kHz – 150 kHz) the interference level from metal halide lamps is significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels. In the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz however, PLC signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) levels. The operational methods of the electronic and electromagnetic ballasts when connected to the metal halide lamps are explained. Keywords—Metal Halide Lamp; Electronic Ballast; Electromagnetic Ballast; Power Line Communications; PLC; Interference; EN 50065-1; EMC.  I. INTRODUCTION The metal halide lamp is a high energy light source, typically 150, 250, 400, 575 and 1200 watts, mostly used for outdoor purposes and is a compound of mixture of gases, such as: metal with bromine, argon or iodine which gives an average luminous output of 65-115 Lumens/Watt, but they require a few minutes of a warm-up period in order to reach the full light output status. The lamp is used for industrial, commercial, and public spaces, such as parking lots, factories, security lighting, street lighting, sports arenas and automotive headlamps. Fig. 1 shows the inside components of a metal halide lamp [1]. Metal halide lamps use igniters and electrical ballasts to start and regulate the lamp operating current flowing through the lamp after it has been started, as well as to maintain suitable voltage and current wave shapes. There are two main types of ballasts, electronic and electromagnetic ballasts that can have different names, such as probe-start ballasts, pulse-start ballasts, and solid-state ballasts. Electrical ballast is a device intended to limit the amount of current in an electric circuit and it uses a half-bridge inverter and a boost dc-dc converter. A familiar and widely used example is the inductive ballast used in fluorescent lamps or metal halide lamps [2], [3]. Ballasts vary in design complexity: they can be as simple as electromagnetic ballasts or as complex as electronic ballasts used with metal halide lamps and high-intensity discharge lamps. The electronic ballasts are considered better than the electromagnetic ballasts since they provide better energy efficiency (Lumen/Watt), cause less interference to the low voltage network, they are smaller and lighter than the electromagnetic counterparts and they prolong the lamp’s life [4].                 Fig. 1.  The inside structure of the metal halide lamp  However, metal halide lamps with electronic/electromagnetic ballasts do inject undesired noise into the power-line communications channel.   It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3 kHz – 150 kHz) the interference level from the metal halide lamps is significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels and therefore poses no threat to the power-line communications. In the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz however, PLC signals compete with Electromagnetic Compatibility levels. This paper investigates the effects when metal halide lamps with electronic/electromagnetic ballasts are seen as interference sources on the wiring system of the smart-grid communication network. Two different measurement set-ups (depending on the ballast type) are given.  The procedure of the measurements was made to comply with CENELEC narrowband rules in one case, and to serve the broadband signals in the other case [5]. The power-line regulations were considered when performing related measurements.  II. MEASUREMENT SET-UPThe measurement set-up used is shown inA metal halide lamp is supplied with 220isolation transformer and Line ImpedaNetwork (LISN). The isolation transformer iscauses an earth-leakage current to flow, thaFloating the LISN rectifies this fault conditused in this set-up has two functions  Firstly, it filters noise from the measurement side (current probe andin Figs. 2 & 3) is therefore clean frompower-line and an accurate assessmproduced by the metal halide lampmade. A clean 50Hz 220V AC is suphalide lamp. Secondly, it supplies a standardizedconducted interference created by mAt higher frequencies (typically > load impedance presented by the Lthe metal halide lamp) is 50Ω. Measurements and conclusions in this ptwo regions of the emission spectrum: • 3 kHz – 150 kHz: This is the frequencalled CENELEC bands as defined bMeasurements for these bands wfrequency domain to obtain harmresulted spectral density shape. A RSpectrum Analyzer and Tektronix probe were used. It was assumed Mode (CM) currents are negligiblethat all interference is in Differentialassumption also used in EN 5006downloaded to a PC for processing.Figs. 3 & 4, depending on the used ba Fig. 2.  Set-up for measurements in the 3kHz – 30MHz Ballast).    Figs. 2 & 3.  VAC through an nce Stabilization  used as the LISN t trips the supply. ion. The LISN as AC supply. The  metal halide lamp  any noise on the ent of the noise  can therefore be plied to the metal  noise load to the etal halide lamp. 1MHz) the noise ISN (and seen by aper are made for cy range of the so y EN 50065-1 [6]. ere made in the onics from the hode & Schwarz TCP0030 current that the Common  in this band and  Mode (DM) – an 5-1. Results were  This is shown in llast.  range (Electronic   • 150 kHz – 30 MHfor Broadband traditionally used as per CISPR-16frequency range wSchwarz SpectruTCP0030 current pFig. 3.  Set-up for measurements in the(Electromagnetic Ballast).  ELECTRICAL BThere is a common structurused with the metal halide lamamplifiers and electronic comp  Fig. 4.  Electrical ballast driver. Metal halide lamps require starting of the lamps, and stlamp, as well as to provide avoltage. Those electrical ballasthe supply frequency into hz: This is the frequency range PLC. It spans the range to measure conducted emissions  [7]. Measurements for this ere also made using a Rhode & m Analyzer and Tektronix robe as shown in Figs. 2 & 3.   3kHz – 30MHz range ALLAST DRIVER e of the electrical ballast drivers ps, which consists of different onents as shown in Fig. 4.   a ballast to start and regulate the abilize the current through the n appropriate sustaining supply ts employ transistors to change igh-frequency AC while also regulating the current flow in the lamp. Electrical ballasts typically work in rapid start or instant start mode, and are commonly supplied with AC power, which is internally converted to DC and then back to a variable frequency AC waveform. However, metal halide lamps require a few minutes to warm-up and reach their full light output.  III. HARMONICS - CENELEC BANDS Harmonics are seen as a serious challenge to the power line system. In order to determine what effect the harmonics of a metal halide lamp have on the power-line communications channel, a Tektronix TCP0030 current probe is used in this type of measurements. The obtained current harmonics (magnitude) must be represented in frequency domain waveforms. This is done by performing a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and multiplying the current harmonics with the LISN impedance values that is used for measurements (Figs. 2 & 3) to get the voltage values. The LISN characteristics are specified in EN 50065-1. Fig. 5 gives the results when the harmonics (in voltage) are plotted against the CENELEC EN 50065-1 standards for maximum power-line communications signal and EMC levels. The frequency domain harmonics (magnitude) for the waveforms in Fig. 5 are performed using electronic ballast when having a steady-state (continuously on) noise measurement. The steady-state means that the 220V AC is on and the harmonics are continuously shown on the screen of the spectrum analyzer. This is the so-called warm-up period, the time that the lamp needs to reach its full output. Another measurement is performed when applying switch-off to the metal halide lamp power button, and having the lamp switched on within a small period of time, typically a few seconds. This status is called the re-power or re-heats period. The obtained signal during this period can be categorized as an affected signal that partially affects the power line communications channel.  Fig. 6 shows the harmonics when using electromagnetic ballast for this type of measurements. Higher interference levels are noticed when performing the repower measurements, as well as when the lamp reheated itself and went on again. By         Fig. 5. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 3 kHz – 150 kHz range (Electronic Ballast).  comparing the obtained results from both types of ballasts, one can assume that the PLC channel gets more affected by the harmonics that were obtained from the electromagnetic ballast in this band.   IV. BROADBAND SPECTRUM This section presents the broadband spectrum measurements where a similar procedure of experiments and measurements to those of the CENELEC bands was performed. The metal halide lamps with electronic or electromagnetic ballasts do generate undesired noise in the broadband PLC spectrum (150 kHz – 30 MHz). This is shown in Figs. 7 & 8.  Fig. 7 shows the measurements that were performed using a metal halide lamp with electronic ballast on several stages. The PLC channel gets more infected when the lamp is switched on after it was switched off and a few minutes were allowed before it reheated itself.  A metal halide lamp with electromagnetic ballast was used for the measurements shown in Fig. 8. This is the worst scenario for power line communications, as the obtained frequency domain harmonics in this set of measurements compete with or exceed the Electromagnetic Compatibility levels. Fig. 7 shows the interference voltage from the metal halide lamp versus the EMC average and peak/quasi-peak disturbance level limits in the band 150 kHz – 30 MHz. In the CENELEC bands from 3 kHz – 150 kHz there are dedicated maximum signal transmission levels. These do not exist in the 150 kHz – 30MHz band and maximum signal transmission is assumed to be at the EMC limit levels. The EMC level is the maximum level at which PLC signals are allowed to be transmitted. For the 150 kHz – 30 MHz band therefore the signal to noise ratio (S/N) is low. This will affect the maximum theoretical PLC transmission capacity as can be seen from the Shannon theorem:  ܥ ൌ ܤ ݈݋݃ଶሺ1 ൅ ௌேሻ                   (1)  Where: C is the channel capacity in bits per second, B is the bandwidth of the channel in hertz, S is the average received signal power over the bandwidth measured in watts (or volts squared); N is the average noise or interference power over the  Fig. 6. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 3 kHz – 150 kHz range (Electromagnetic Ballast). bandwidth, measured in watts (or volts squared); and S/N is the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or the carrier-to-noise ratio.   V. DISCUSSION AND ILLUSTRATION From a PLC standpoint, the metal halide lamp with electronic or electromagnetic ballast is preferred as it doesn’t cause noise (close to the maximum allowable PLC signal level) in the 3 kHz – 150 kHz band. The metal halide lamps will only become a more favorable lighting solution (in PLC terms) if statuary signal limits are lifted in the 150 kHz – 30 MHz band. However, by comparing the noise measurements in Figs. 5 – 8 to the measured noise floor, we can describe the power line communications channel as an affected channel. VI. CONCLUSION This paper studied the behavior of the electronic and electromagnetic ballasts that are used with metal halide lamps. Several experiments and measurements have been conducted to illustrate the effects of metal halide lamps with electrical ballasts on the power line communications channel.  It has been shown that metal halide lamps produce noise and affect the 3 kHz – 150 kHz CENELEC bands, but this interference level is below the allowable PLC signal level and therefore poses no threat to the PLC channel. For the broadband spectrum (150 kHz – 30 MHz), metal halide lamps however inject noise into the PLC channel, where the signal level is governed by EMC standards. This interference competes with the EMC levels and can be seen as a serious risk to the power line communications.    ACKNOWLEDGMENT This work is based on the research supported in part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant specific unique reference number (UID) 85884).  Fig. 7. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 150 kHz – 30 MHz range (Electronic Ballast).  REFERENCES [1] M. Sugiura, “Review of metal-halide discharge-lamp development 1980-1992”, IET Proceedings: Science, Measurements & Technology, Vol. 140, Issue 6, Publication Year: 1993, pp. 443 – 449. [2] K. Takahashi, M. Jinno, M. Aono, “The study of electronic ballast for fluorescent lamp with an electronic device given two functions”, IEEE Industry Applications Conference, Vol. 5, Publication Year: 2000, pp.3382-3387. [3] C. S. Moo, S. Y. Tang, C. R.  Lee, J. H. Chen, W. T. Tsai, “Investigation Into High-Frequency Operating Characteristics of Metal-Halide Lamps”, IEEE Transactions On Plasma Science, APEC 2001, Vol. 37, Issue 11, Publication Year: 2009, pp.2234-2240. [4] T. J. Liang, W. H. Fu, Y. M. Chen, K. H. Su, “High frequency electrical characteristics of various metal-halide lamps”, IEEE  International Conference On Power Electronic Drives and Energy Systems for Industrial Growth, Vol. 2, Publication Year: 1998, pp.694-699. [5] H. C. Ferreira, L. Lampe, J. Newbury and T. G. Swart, Power Line Communications: Theory and Applications for Narrowband and Broadband Communications over Power Lines, Chichester, England: John Wiley & Sons, 2010. [6] EN 50065-1: Signaling on low-voltage electrical installations in the frequency range 3 kHz to 148,5 kHz - Part 1: General requirements, frequency bands and electromagnetic disturbances. European Standard, CENELEC, Ref. No. EN 50065-1:2011 E, Brussels, April 2011. [7] CISPR 16: Specification for radio disturbance and immunity measuring apparatus and methods, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).          Fig. 8. Frequency domain waveforms and harmonics for 150 kHz – 30 MHz range (Electromagnetic Ballast). 

https://ujcontent.uj.ac.za/vital/access/services/Download/uj:20846/SOURCE1

Noise generated by modern lamps and the influence on the smart-grid communication network

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

Name not available

University of Johannesburg Institutional Repository

Name not available