Jinx wrote:
>
> > Electronic timers etc. typically rely on a small current through the
> > bulb (in 'off' mode) for power. An electronic ballast would probably
> > either not pass enough current, or the phase shift caused by the
> > capacitor would cause problems, or the small current through the
> > timer in 'off' mode might cause occasional flickering as the cap
> > slowly charges and the lamp tries to start.
>
> So GE are just issuing a very generalised warning about
> electronic control of fluorescents. Switching with a relay would
> be OK, what is there in that type of fluorescent that could cause
> trouble with a simple triac switch (ie bulb as load between triac
> and N) ?

The couple I have pulled apart seem to be a simple
rectifier to a filter cap, then use a high freq
inverter to drive the tube.
They should work fine off a relay, triac or even
a series diode, but dimming using a triac and
phase angle switching would not be nice.
-Roman

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different
ways.  See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.