IEC TR 63130:2018

Overview

IEC TR 63130:2018 - "Dimming and hot restrike of metal halide lamps" - is a Technical Report by the IEC that documents experts’ current opinions on standardizing metal halide lamp behaviour for hot restrike and dimming when used with low frequency square wave ballasts. It is intended as guidance to supplement or modify IEC 61167:2015 (Metal halide lamps - Performance specification). IEC TR 63130 is non‑normative (state‑of‑the‑art guidance) and should be used in conjunction with IEC 61167.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and purpose: Guidelines for adding parameters to IEC 61167 so hot‑restrike and dimming conditions are covered for metal halide lamps.
• Hot‑restrike definition: Ability of a lamp to restart immediately at any moment after switching off (as distinct from warm restrike).
• Data‑sheet additions: Proposed template fields for lamp data sheets covering run‑up, restarting characteristics, electrical characteristics under square wave conditions, and recommended reference ballast details.
• Low frequency square wave operation (Annex G): New or clarified parameters for square wave ballasts including:
  • Superimposed symmetric pulse ignition parameters (pulse height, pulse width, pulse repetition frequency).
  • Example values discussed in the report include pulse heights (pin‑to‑pin) in the range of ~9–13 kV, pulse widths ~80–150 ns, and PRF around 200 Hz, with ignition duration and open‑circuit voltages noted for testing. (These are state‑of‑the‑art examples provided as guidance.)
• Lamp caps and mechanical details: Reference to specialized caps (e.g. G(X)14.5) used for hot‑restrike lamps.
• Ballast, ignitor and luminaire information: Requirement for manufacturers to provide information on allowed re‑ignition behaviour and electrical interaction parameters at lamp terminals.
• Safety and end‑of‑life: Notes advising suitably protected circuits because abnormal end‑of‑life conditions can risk ballast overheating.

Applications and who uses it

IEC TR 63130 is primarily useful for:

• Lamp manufacturers designing metal halide lamps optimized for hot‑restrike and dimming compatibility.
• Ballast and ignitor designers developing low frequency square wave controlgear and ignition strategies.
• Luminaire and lighting system engineers specifying compatibility and safety requirements.
• Test laboratories and conformity assessors preparing test methods and data sheets aligned with proposed parameters.
• Standards committees and spec writers as a reference when updating IEC 61167 or creating normative test protocols.

Related standards

• IEC 61167:2015 - Metal halide lamps - Performance specification (primary normative standard to be supplemented).
• References to ignition definitions in IEC 61347‑1:2015 for consistent terminology.

Keywords: IEC TR 63130:2018, metal halide lamps, hot restrike, dimming, low frequency square wave ballast, IEC 61167, superimposed symmetric pulse ignition, lamp data sheet.