The New Thick-Film Hybrid Converters For Halogen and Fluorescent Lamps

Economical consumption of energy, longer life of lamps, higher lighting comfort and new aesthetic of illumination is subject of numerous research and development works. The halogen lamps are an example of positive solution some of above mentioned problems. The electronic transformers are more frequent used for their supply. In comparison with conventional transformers they have less weight, less volume and 60% less power losses. Their advantages are particular visible, when the hybrid technique is applied. The paper presents the results of engineering research and development works carried out in Private Institute of Electronic Engineering, in R. & D. Center for Hybrid Microelectronics and Resistors and in Technical School of Communications in Krakow, in the field of the design and exploitation tests of hybrid converters 220V AC /12V DC (electronic transformers) and electronic ballasts destined for the supply of halogen lamps 20W to 150W and fluorescent lamps respectively. To perform the converters, thick film technology and surface mount technology were used. For the protection of converter electronic circuit the thick film temperature sensor and transistors were applied. Moreover the paper presents the base application circuits of elaborated converters, their technical parameters and exploitation results. The development perspectives of such domain of hybrid circuits are also discussed.