Our Technology
The Lamp
High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamp and ballast technology was initially developed in the 1930s to meet the demand for larger more efficient light sources. HID lamps are much more efficient than incandescent lamps. The first HID lamps were Mercury Vapor and Low Pressure Sodium lamps, and after World War II, High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide lamps with better color rendition were put on the market.
HID lamps (and fluorescent lamps) work on the principle of driving an electric charge continuously through a specific gas mixture to create light. In the case of HID lamps an electrical charge is passed through a narrow glass tube which contains a mixture of gases and metal salts. A high voltage ignition charge starts the process by gasifying the metal salts and heating up the resultant gaseous mixture to allow the circuit to be closed throught the lamp. Once this stage is reached the voltage reduces to the normal lamp operating specification and is maintained by the ballast. The high temperature gaseous mixture emits or "discharges" light directly. Different gas and metal salt mixtures create different light spectrums. High Pressure Sodium is yellow /orange, and Metal Halide is bright white.
The Ballast
The ballast is an auxiliary device that is responsible to start and then control the flow of current to a gas discharge light source such as HID lamps. The traditional ballast has been a form of transformer sometimes combined with an igniter. This ballast is commonly known as a "magnetic" or "core and coil" ballast depending on its construction. A high voltage, low frequency current is immediately applied to the lamp to ignite it and then once the circuit within the lamp is closed the current reverts to the lamp's operating voltage.
There are various forms of these traditional ballasts but they all have the following shortcomings:
- Inefficient operation
- Run hot
- Very heavy
- Sensitive to voltage dips
- Shorten lamp life due to starting shock and low frequency
- Difficult and expensive to control light output (dimming)
The ROMlight electronic HID ballast technology eliminates or reduces these weaknesses. The following outline illustrates the superiority of the ROMlight electronic HID ballast:
Characteristic |
Magnetic Ballast | ROMlight Ballast |
| Efficiency | 75 % to 85 % | 97 % |
| Surface Temperature |
100 C | 46 C |
| Weight |
10 to 30 lbs | 2 to 6 lbs |
| Sensitivity to Voltage dips | - 15 % | As low as 80 volts |
| Lamp Life | 12,000 hr re lamp | 18,000 hr re lamp |
| Light Control | Difficult and Expensive | ROMport™ |
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ROMport™ – the 4-in-1 exclusive control feature from ROMlight
Only ROMlight can offer the amazing ROMport control port on all of its ballast models.
What is the ROMport feature?
The ROMport control port provides four control functions with one RJ11 port !
These control functions include:
- Daylight Harvesting
- Motion Sensing / Switch
- Potentiometer
- 0 – 10 Volt DC signal
The RJ11 signal wire and port system ensures reliable and easy installation.
The ROMport feature is standard on all 70 watt to 250-watt models.
The ROMport feature is optional on all 400-watt series and 600-watt ballast
and High Bay fixture models.
For more details see the following table:
Versatile ROMport™ Ballast Control Methods |
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Supported Protocol |
Means |
Daisy Chainable |
Resistive Dimming |
Potentiometer Control |
No |
Daylight Harvesting |
Photo Sensor |
No |
Switching (Dry Contact) |
Motion Sensor or Switch |
Yes |
0-10v DC Signal |
Powered Device Control |
Yes |
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The advantages of the ROMlight electronic HID ballast all deliver positive cash flow in varying degrees depending on the application. Benefits range from 25% to over 50% of traditional operating costs.
The Technology
An observer of the electronic power supply industry has stated that the ROMlight electronic ballast versus the old fashioned magnetic ballast is like comparing a word processor to a typewriter. The digital age has arrived in the global HID ballast industry!
In the world of electronics there are analogue functions, characterized by "waves", and digital functions characterized by "0's and 1's". Electricity, comes in waves called cycles. North America operates on 60 cycles while Europe and other parts of the world operate on 50 cycles. The digital 0's and 1's are the same the world over.
The ROMlight series of HID ballasts contains a unique blend of analogue and digital functions. Analogue function is represented by physical components, such as resistors or capacitors that control or convert electrical energy to meet design requirements. Digital function uses a combination of hardware (microprocessors) and software to control, direct and communicate. It is the unique combination of digital and analogue power supply elements that make the ROMlight ballast efficient, robust and well protected.
The role of the microprocessor is central to the patented, unique operation of the ROMlight ballast. It allows for smooth start up, controls the power supply to the lamp which also allows dimming, operates the internal safety logic that protect the ballast, provides short circuit protection on the output, and shuts the ballast down when the lamp life is finished.
Using small computer-like programs called algorithms, allows the ROMlight ballast to effortlessly and inexpensively communicate with sensors and command and control systems.