Generalized lamp model for light flicker studies

•A new generalized lamp model able to simulate the lamp luminous flux in time domain is presented.•Based on the use of only three input parameters which fully characterize the considered lamps.•Input parameters can be measured in laboratory.•Easily addable in a new Flickermeter.•Extendable to take into account the presence of new circuit topologies (e.g. APFC circuits for LEDs) and light dimmers. A new generalized lamp model capable of simulating a lamp’s luminous flux in the time domain is presented. Reference is made to low power lamps (up to 25W). The generalized lamp model consists of a model of the electrical circuit of the lamp and a model of the bulb itself and is based on the use of only three input parameters. The results of a preliminary experimental analysis are first presented with the aim of justifying the hypotheses of the model. Then, the model is described and used to analyze the frequency behavior of a lamp in the presence of voltage fluctuations; the model was experimentally validated for different kind of lamps. Finally, the results of a sensitivity analysis of the model versus its main parameters are presented.