Professional repaired PFC

[Behemot]

Got this PFC thingy from CCFL Ikea lamp with the plug pushed inside. Obviously somebody tried to fix that with this

Well, the thing is, it is only a huge coil, output is still 230 V. Does the lamp even need it? My guess is not

[Behemot]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

It appeares to actually be a 1:1 transformer. Well, does the lamp even need such a thing? Yeah, it has some high starting currents, but as long as the CCFL is only 11 W I don't think it would be so drastic to pull breakers or something. On the other hand, efficiency of these huge low-frequency transformers is low as we now so it is wasting power all the time the lamp is on. Not mentioning the space

ADD// OK, practical test shows the spikes are enormous One burned CCFL and one pulled breaker. OK, will attach cable to that transofmer and be done

[budm]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

Is it ISOLATION transformer? May be they worry about safety.

[Behemot]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

Seems that kind of. As long as startup currents for CCFL are so high, the transformer prevents that. Thats also the reason these lamps always blink several times before they start: the spikes reduce voltage on secondary. But after couple of tries the electrodes stay warm enough for it to start.

That is my deduction at least

[budm]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

If the lamp blinks a couple times, then it sounds like they are using old design with ballast transformer with a starter circuits in stead of electronics driven to light the lamps.
What does the rest of the lamp assembly look like?

[Behemot]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

It is G23 so ofc there is no high-frequency starter (no room in the CCFL). From disasembly of the destroyed CCFL I learned there are two components, one which looks like a piece of coil and second most likely starter. Both actually fused in glass, most likely as an insulation.

[kc8adu]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

that is a simple choke ballast.without it as you found poof! goes your lamp.

[budm]

Re: Professional repaired PFC

That is an old style starter/ballast setup.