Radiated Radiofrequency Emission from the Plasma of Compact Fluorescent Lamps

International EMC standards describe the measurement environment (setup, equipment, frequencies) and applicable limits for the electromagnetic emission testing of lighting equipment, including compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). These standards consider the compact fluorescent lamp a ‘black box’. In order to better understand the emissions from this type of light source, the operation of the equipment needs to be analyzed not just at system, but also at component level. The paper presented the compact fluorescent lamps’ operation from electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) point of view, examined their operation theoretically and experimentally, analyzed the arc discharge from electromagnetic emission point of view. The electric and magnetic field emission originated from the plasma of the CFL was shown. The independent sources of emission within the system were identified. Keywords—Arc discharge, compact fluorescent lamps, effect of plasma, electric field, electromagnetic compatibility, electromagnetic radiation, EMC, EMI magnetic field, radiated disturbances, radiofrequency emission Corresponding author: Gabor Schmidt e-mail address: [email protected] Received; August 4, 2010 84 International Journal of Plasma Environmental Science & Technology, Vol.5, No.1, MARCH 2011