Dimming is growing in popularity due to energy codes, green construction and user interest in flexibility and maximizing energy savings. High-intensity discharge (HID) lamp dimming is no exception, and with continuing development of electronic HID ballasts, continuous HID lamp dimming is easier to achieve, in a broader range of wattages, than ever before.
Step dimmingTraditionally, HID lamps were dimmed using stepped dimming typically implemented with magnetic ballasts that reduced lamp current and therefore lamp wattage to a preset increment between full output and 50% of full output. The ballast is usually a constant-wattage autotransformer (CWA) ballast with one or two additional capacitors added to the circuit, depending on whether the ballast using bilevel or trilevel dimming (see below). Relay switching of the capacitors results in additional impedance, which reduces the lamp current and the wattage. The capacitor circuit configuration may be parallel or series.
Typically, there would be one step, causing step-dimming systems to be sometimes called “two level” or “bilevel” dimming systems. However, some systems, sometimes referred to as trilevel dimming systems, can operate at three fixed levels.
Step dimming is ideal for saving energy while providing a minimum amount of illumination for safety and security during hours of non-occupancy. For example, an occupancy sensor responds to the absence of people by signaling a step-dimming ballast to reduce lamp power to 50%, saving energy. Trilevel systems provide this benefit but with greater flexibility. Ideal applications include spaces that may be unoccupied for long periods of time but still need to be lighted, such as parking lots, warehouses, supermarkets and malls.
Continuous dimming
Some projects require an even higher degree of flexibility, while making the control effect as transparent as possible to avoid intrusion with a sudden change in the lighting state. In these applications, continuous dimming may be preferable. Ideal applications include airports, lobbies, classrooms, industrial facilities, sporting arenas, gyms and auditoriums. Continuous dimming is also well suited to daylight harvesting by enabling HID lamp output to be tuned to maintain a constant light level in the space, but without irritating occupants.
Line-voltage dimming: Continuous dimming may be implemented using line-voltage dimming devices that change the primary voltage to the ballast or electronically modify input voltage and current waveforms. The devices include:
• variable-step transformers that reduce voltage to the load, and which typically operate with CWA magnetic ballasts;
• variable-reactor devices that keep voltage constant but reduce current; and
• devices that modify the waveform (so-called “wave choppers”) to reduce the RMS voltage to the load to reduce rated power.
This method is sometimes called panel-level HID lamp dimming because these devices typically install at the electrical panel. For more information about line-voltage dimming, consult the product manufacturer.
Electronic HID ballasts: Alternately, continuous dimming may be achieved using electronic low- or high-frequency switching circuits or through combinations of electronic and mechanical devices to modify lamp power. Typically, continuous dimming is implemented using dimmable electronic HID ballasts. These ballasts will be the focus of the rest of this whitepaper.
Dimmable eHID ballasts
Dimmable electronic HID ballasts offer continuous dimming across a given range and may also offer other benefits such as higher efficiency (up to 94%), compact size, lighter weight, and better lumen maintenance and color stability than magnetic ballasts.
Availability of dimmable electronic HID ballasts recently expanded to cover wattages as low as 100W and as high as 750W, operate both metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps, and provide ability to join 0-10VDC, DALI-based and proprietary control networks.
Examples include:
• Empower digital ballast (0-10VDC dimming of 157-750W metal halide and high-pressure sodium lamps);
• GE UltraMax eHID ballast (250-400W quartz or ceramic metal halide);
• Metrolight SmartHID Plus (dims 175-575W metal halide and 100-600W high-pressure sodium lamps using 0-10VDC or proprietary digital interface);
• Philips Advance Dynavision (0-10VDC dimming of 320-400W pulse-start lamps with automatic 15-minute warm up), Dynadimmer (outdoor lighting control) and CosmoPolis programmable digital ballast (DALI dimming for ceramic metal halide lamps);
• Sylvania Quicktronic QTO (0-10VDC continuous dimming or standalone step dimming of 100-200W metal halide or high-pressure sodium lamps in outdoor applications); and
• Universal Lighting Technologies 210W ballast (0-10VDC dimming of Philips 210W C183 metal halide lamp, with automatic 15-minute time delay).
High-pressure sodium lamp dimming
According to Guidelines for The Application of Dimming to High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps (LSD 14-2010) published by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), most high-pressure sodium lamps are approved for dimming in any orientation, although dimming performance may vary depending on whether the ballast is magnetic or electronic; consult the lamp manufacturer.
NEMA recommends that high-pressure sodium lamps not be dimmed below 50% of rated lamp power. Dimming below the recommended minimum can significantly degrade lamp life—potentially voiding lamp warranties—while also affecting efficacy, color and lumen maintenance. For retrofit metal halide lamps designed to operate on high-pressure sodium ballasts, and specialty high-pressure sodium lamps (e.g., internal ignitor, etc.), consult the lamp manufacturer about whether dimming is allowed and resulting parameters and limitations.
Besides dimming range, NEMA recommends that high-pressure sodium lamps be operated at full light output for at least 15 minutes before dimming. If a voltage interruption extinguishes the lamp, the timer should be reset only after the lamp has restarted. For more information, consult the Guidelines.
Note that dimming some high-pressure sodium lamps and retrofit metal halide lamps can result in changes to color temperature, color rendering and efficacy. NEMA further points out that high-pressure sodium lamps are susceptible to “drop out”—sudden extinguishment—if rapidly dimmed after the lamp operates for about 15,000 hours. Users may confuse this with the lamp having failed; if the user allows the lamp to cool, the lamp will relight and operate at its rated wattage for its rated life in an undimmed mode. To reduce the potential for this, NEMA recommends slowing the dimming rate to about 1.5 minutes from full output to maximum dimmed condition (while maintaining sufficient voltage to sustain the arc).
Metal halide lamp dimming
Dimming is possible with pulse- and probe-start quartz metal halide lamps, pulse-start ceramic metal halide lamps and many types of specialty lamps, such as lamps with internal ignitors or starting aids that operate on probe- and pulse-start metal halide ballasts. NEMA does not recommend dimming for self-extinguishing T-type metal halide lamps and retrofit high-pressure sodium lamps designed to operate on metal halide ballasts.
NEMA recommends that metal halide lamps not be dimmed below 50-70% of lamp power, depending on the lamp type, for the same reason as high-pressure sodium lamps—to dim below recommended levels may degrade lamp life, efficacy, color and lumen maintenance. Below is the recommended dimming range for each type of metal halide lamp, per NEMA:
• 100% to 50% of rated lamp power for probe-start quartz metal halide lamps;
• 100% to 60% of rated lamp power for 150W or smaller pulse-start quartz metal halide lamps;
• 100% to 50% of rated lamp power for >150W pulse-start quartz metal halide lamps;
• 100% to 70% of rated lamp power for <150W ceramic pulse-start metal halide lamps; and
• 100% to 60% of rated lamp power for 150W or larger ceramic pulse-start metal halide lamps.
For specialty metal halide lamps, consult with the lamp manufacturer about allowable dimming and wattage range.
[caption id="attachment_3913" align="alignnone" width="404" caption="Correlated color temperature shift for quartz metal halide lamp across dimming range. Image courtesy of NEMA."][/caption]
As with high-pressure sodium lamps, NEMA recommends that metal halide lamps be operated at full light output for at least 15 minutes before dimming. If a voltage interruption extinguishes the lamp, the timer should be reset only after the lamp has restarted. For more information, consult the Guidelines.
Manufacturers limit the operating position of probe-start lamps to the base-up position if the lamp is to be dimmed. Most pulse-start quartz and ceramic metal halide lamps may be dimmed in any operating position, with some exceptions, including ceramic metal halide lamps 150W and larger; consult the lamp manufacturer for specific information about allowable dimming and operating position for the selected lamp type.
Note that metal halide lamps typically experience some degree of color shift during dimming; clear quartz lamps, for example, may exhibit a significant increase in color temperature, with the shift extending to as high as 5000-6000K compared to the typical 3000-4000K. The color shift in a phosphor-coated lamp may be much less pronounced. For example, a 3700K coated lamp may increase to just 4000K during dimming.
Additionally, as with high-pressure sodium lamps, lamp efficacy and color rendering may decline with dimming.
Mercury vapor lamp dimming
Regulations created by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 eliminated the manufacture and import of mercury vapor lamp ballasts, although subsequent legislation—specifically, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007—allows specialty ballasts for which dimming may be feasible. Specialty applications, according to NEMA, include UV curing, microscopy, fiber optic lighting and other uses.
As with high-pressure sodium and metal halide lamps, NEMA recommends that mercury vapor lamps be operated at full light output for at least 15 minutes before dimming. If a voltage interruption extinguishes the lamp, the timer should be reset only after the lamp has restarted. For more information, consult the Guidelines.
NEMA offers no further guidance, stating only that questions about dimming specialty mercury vapor systems should be directed to the manufacturer.
New HID ballasts expand dimming options
Lighting is increasingly becoming controllable. With advances in HID lamp dimming coupled with smart application, HID systems can participate in dimming strategies that support visual needs and save energy.
Paresh Choksi says
Dear Sir,
Thanks for the above
We have installed so many control panel for dimming in HPS lamp since 2006
Working successfully and achieve more then 30 % energy billing.
Paresh Choksi
Greg Davis says
Howdy All from Oak Ridge, TN —
Nice to see coverage on the topic of HID dimming. Seems to me, as co-inventor of Lumetric’s SmartPOD, that your article wouldn’t be complete without a nod to our achievements in controlling the arc of any HID lamp for true linear dimming. While linear dimming is nothing new in the world of lighting, very few companies have developed technologies that can do so for HIDs.
Bringing our background in robotics and energy efficiency to the task of reinventing HID lighting, we took the old, energy-guzzling transformer out of the equation. The SmartPOD utilizes a unique solid-state direct driver, employing a unique feedback control system to enable rapid dimming and therefore control the arc in any lamp. This allows for true linear dimming of pulse start and CMH lamps.
Look forward to telling you more sometime.
Sincerely,
Greg Davis, Lumetric Chief Technology Officer
Larry Wilson says
Thanks for the article, for sure it is well needed. With regard to dimming of MH products suggest that you differentiate between QMH Arc Tube technology and CDM. This is covered in the NEMA document. Further, the Philips eVision is far ahead of the Dynavision product which is very old and outdated. Finally, by using simple control dimming devices like Philips Chronosense and Dynadimmer, dimming is made very easy to install and cost effective.
jack melnyk says
This doc is by Craig Dilouie, a long-time learned writer of such lighting articles-please E him directly through the comment engine embedded in the paper’s end to repair the Metrolight data.I’m also going to tell him the 3 power vs light graphs are misrepresented(there are dotted lines below about 50% power in every case in the actual ies reference with important accompanying comments(i.e. the iesna 9th ed. Lighting Handbook pg 6-55).
Aviv says
Dear Craig,
I would like to ask to update follwoing information regarding Metrolight technolagy –
Metrolight provides 0 – 10VDC for all ballsts and we are starting at 175W and not 450W as specified at the document – Our ballast can provide 0 – 10VDC and proprietary protocol not depending on one another.
I would appreciate if you could correct this and send all an updated version.
Lighting Controls Association says
Hi Jack, thanks for that. The graphic was republished as it appeared in the NEMA guideline. If it is incorrect, I will remove it. – Craig
Lighting Controls Association says
Hi Aviv, thanks for your note. The numbers were based on information provided by Metrolight for a seminar I produced at LIGHTFAIR. I made the correction as requested. – Craig
Lighting Controls Association says
Hi Larry, thanks for your comment. I added Dynadimmer, but after rechecking the Philips website, nowhere in the product literature does it state that the eVision ballast is dimmable. Can you advise? – Craig
Aviv says
Thank you Craig for taking the time to update the information, I would like to ask to add 0 – 10VDC instead of just dim as we provide both options.
Lighting Controls Association says
Done!
Tim Mies says
Can you let me know if there are manufacturers still building these. I am stuck with equipment using metrolux 400 watt HID MH and HPS. These are no longer available and it appears that the market is not supporting any manufacturing of similar anymore. Unfortunately cannot change to LED>