EE103: Fluorescent Dimming Ballasts, Section 2 Part 2: Application: Page 17 of 27

 

LAMP SEASONING

Due to residual impurities from the manufacturing process, newly installed linear fluorescent lamps may exhibit flicker or other visual instabilities, which can negatively affect dimming performance.

In installations where these conditions are present or a new dimming system is being commissioned, NEMA fluorescent lamp manufacturers recommend that lamps be operated at the ballast's maximum light output overnight, or about 12 hours. This is called seasoning.

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