Abstract
The fluorescent lamps or fluorescent tubes are low
pressure mercury-vapor gas-discharge lamps that use
fluorescence to produce visible light. These lamps inject noise into
the power-line communications channel. This can have a
detrimental effect on the power-line communication system. In
this paper we investigate the effects when the fluorescent lamps
with electronic ballasts are seen as noise sources on the powerline
channel. It is shown that in the CENELEC band: (3kHz –
150kHz) the interference level from fluorescent lamps is
significantly below the allowed maximum PLC signal levels. In
the band 150kHz – 30MHz however, PLC signals compete with
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) levels. The operational
method of the electronic ballast inside the fluorescent lamp is
explained.