Energy savings analysis and harmonics reduction for the electronic ballast of T5 fluorescent lamp in a building's lighting system

•This paper focuses on energy savings and harmonics reduction from various ballasts.•For energy efficiency, both the power consumed and the harmonics are considered.•The effects of harmonics are studied by using T8 and T5 with different ballasts.•The harmonic filter is designed for the low class electronic ballast of T5 lamp.•The harmonic filter is added to obtain harmonic level respecting to the IEC standard.

Lighting is one of the major energy end uses, which accounts for approximately 20–30% of electricity consumption in buildings. In fact, the fluorescent lamp is the most employed lamp in a lighting system for both inside and outside the building. The ballast is one of the major components of fluorescent lamps; it exists commercially as an electromagnetic ballast, a low loss ballast and an electronic ballast. To reduce energy consumption in a lighting system, the electronic ballast has already been introduced for profit in terms of its peak demand reduction and energy conservation in the building. However, when the electronic ballast functions, harmonics will be generated. Hence, this paper investigates energy savings and the generation of harmonics when using a fluorescent T5 lamp with electronic ballast in a building. The efficiency indices in terms of illumination, energy savings, and harmonics are also evaluated and compared with the fluorescent T8 lamp operating with a low watt loss electromagnetic ballast, which is also widely used. The obtained results are useful for the design and decision to install a fluorescent T5 lamp with electronic ballast in building lighting system to conserve energy and/or reduce energy consumption for the future of the country.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide