A Study on the High-frequency Operation Characteristics of the High-pressure Sodium Lamps

고압 나트륨램프의 고주파 방전특성 연구

The change of the discharge characteristics of the high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps is investigated over a power source frequency range of 60 Hz to 30, 000 Hz. As the frequency increases, the light and electrical characteristics of the HPS lamps are improved since the re-ignition is not needed due to the constant electron density, and the cathode fall is reduced. But at the certain frequency range, the arc instability called acoustic resonance occurs, and the arc tube is damaged. Regarding these characteristics and the kind of the illuminating system, a proper frequency is selected to operate the HPS lamps. And a new measuring system using a computer and the storage-scope is developed to avoid the error of the ordinary gauges at high frequency power.