IWASAKI LIGHTING - EYE Lighting International of North America, Inc.

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EYE TECHNOLOGY
EYE/IWASAKI TECHNOLOGY
EYE/Iwasaki’s Commitment to Product Innovation
EYE/ Iwasaki’s foundation is deep-rooted in technology and quality. Iwasaki’s continuing
advancements in technology and quality have resulted in the development of more than
3000 superior High Intensity Discharge and Halogen lighting products. Iwasaki’s advancements
in leading edge technology include the EYE/Iwasaki patented Ferro-Electric
Capacitor (FEC). The FEC is the first (and only) high temperature, ceramic starting device
capable of operating inside High Intensity Discharge lamps where temperatures approach
800°F during manufacturing and 600°F during operation. The unique patented FEC technology
is utilized in a number of Iwasaki HID lamp families, including HPS, Metal Halide
and Ceramic Metal Halide technologies that have dependable long life.
EYE Ignitron with Starting Aid and FEC Ignitor
The Ignitron ignition system includes a starting aid filament wire that runs along the side of the
arc tube. When the power is turned on, the starting aid creates an electric field around the arc tube
minimizing the amount of electrical energy required to start the lamp. The FEC generates a 1200
volt starting pulse to gently ignite the Ignitron lamp. The Ignitron starting pulse generated by the
FEC, automatically shuts down when the lamp reaches end-of-life, protecting the ballast from high
voltage pulsing and premature ballast failure.
Standard HPS Starting Compared to EYE’s FEC Ignitor
High Pressure Sodium lamps typically require a high voltage pulse
to ignite the lamp. (2500 volts for low wattage lamps and 4000
volts for high wattage lamps) In a typical HPS lighting system the
high voltage pulse is created by an external starting-device located
in the light fixture. At the end of lamp life the typical HPS system
ignitor continues to generate the high voltage starting pulse to
the failed lamp at a rate of 120 times per second until the lamp is
replaced. Continued high voltage pulsing may result in the breakdown
of the insulation in the windings of the ballast resulting in a
ballast failure.
Typical HPS
Fixture Ignitor
Advantages of FEC Technology and Low Pulse Starting
EYE/Iwasaki Patented
FEC Technology
(Ferro Electric Capacitor)
Starting Aid
FEC Ignitor
A powerful starting pulse is
required to jump the long
gap between the opposing
electrodes during starting.
• Ignitron’s soft starting feature reduces arc tube end darkening and lumen depreciation increasing lamp life.
• The soft start pulse reduces the damage to the arc tube seals, which increases lamp life.
• The FEC’s lower voltage starting pulse extends ballast life over conventional ignitors.
• The FEC starting pulse is terminated at the end of lamp life, which protects the ballast from high voltage pulsing and
premature failure.
C-1 Call: 888-665-2677 • Fax: 800-811-7395 • e-mail: sales@eyelighting.com • web: www.eyelighting.com