What is EBS?

Nicollet Technologies' new Electronic Ballast System (EBS) is a variable intensity power supply and control system for powering UV lamps. This revolutionary new technology has been granted three patents, with more pending. The EBS was developed to solve the problems associated with conventional magnetic ballasts. As a result, it is now possible to fully integrate control of the UV lamp with the curing system.

Improvements over conventional ballasts include:

High Reliability

The EBS replaces high-voltage capacitor banks and mercury-filled relays with a highly reliable electronic control. Reliability of the EBS measured four times better than a magnetic ballast with relays and capacitor banks, based on military reliability prediction methods.

Continuously Variable Lamp Power

Power to the lamp is continuously variable over a range of 30% to 100% instead of two or three steps. Power is precisely controlled with a potentiometer, 0-5 V, 0-10 V, or 4-20 mA control signal. The control input easily interfaces to a computer or programmable controller.

Simple Installation

Completely factory pre-wired, the EBS eliminates labor Intensive wiring of relays and capacitor banks. The user needs only to connect input power, lamp leads, and a control input.

Status Indicators

Five status Indicators lights show if power is applied, the operating mode (warmup or run), and if a lamp-out or overcurrent fault has occurred. Corresponding relay contacts can connect to a computer or programmable controller.

Accommodates a Range of Different Lamps With One Ballast Model

One EBS model can have six or more output voltage selections to operate a range of different lamps with similar current ratings. Compared to the old "separate ballast for each lamp" limitation of magnetic ballasts, the EBS will dramatically reduce your inventory requirements.

Rapid Lamp Starting

By profiling current during warmup, time from ignition to full-power lamp-ready can be as short as ten seconds. Warmup current is user-adjustable.

Standard Mercury, Gallium, or Halide Lamps

An optional ignitor circuit can be added to the EBS for low-temperature starting, or for operating metal-halide or gallium-doped lamps.

Input Voltage Options

The customer can select from one to five input voltage options on any EBS model, covering the range from 208 V to 480 V.

Automatic 50/60 Hz.

The EBS automatically adapts to 50 or 60Hz input frequency.

Reduced Size & weight

A typical EBS is 25% smaller and lighter than a magnetic ballast system.

High Efficiency - Lower Operating Costs

The EBS performs more efficiently than magnetic ballasts, resulting in reduced energy cost, and reduced operating temperature.