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Power Factor Correction using capacitors in series connection
The power factor is corrected by connecting one capacitor in series with one of the ballasts. This is also known as “semi-resonant circuit”.
The value of the capacitor’s capacitance shall be chosen so that the capacitive current resulting of this connection compensates the inductive current of the other part.
Due to the serial connection of choke and capacitor, the voltage developed across the capacitor while the lamp is energized exceeds the line voltage. The series capacitor must therefore be rated for an appropiately higher voltage. An additional rise in voltage occurs during the brief starting period, which must also be taken into consideration when the rating of capacitor is chosen.
The dual circuit has the additional advantage that the combined light produced by the two lamps is almost completely free of flicker since the current through one lamp is always a maximum while that through the other is zero.
Also, this type of power factor correction is more economic than parallel connection, and the only one permissible if the supply carries an AF signal used for central control purposes.
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