One-chip fluorescent lighting control IC with integrated PFC

17 July 2002 Power Electronics / Power Management

International Rectifier has introduced the IR2166 ballast control IC with integral power factor correction (PFC) for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and linear fluorescent lighting ballasts. This one-chip solution replaces a separate ballast control IC, gate driver IC, PFC IC and additional discrete circuitry to cut the ballast cost by up to 30%. High power factor improves electrical equipment efficiency - power factor correction is mandatory by legislation in Europe for ballast power greater than 26 W, and in most other countries for power greater than 40 W.

The ballast chip features a 'critical-conduction-mode' boost PFC control method that maximises PFC performance by dynamically adapting to the mode of the ballast control. This method produces a total harmonic distortion (THD) of less than 10% and has a power factor greater than 0,99 at 120 V line voltage, exceeding most European and other countries' regulations as well as the performance of stand-alone PFC ICs. This compares to THD up to 128% and power factor as low as 0,55 without a PFC stage.

The IR2166 incorporates a state machine to control the operating sequence of the ballast including under-voltage lockout, preheat, ignition, run and fault modes. The chip integrates programmable preheat time and frequency to heat the filaments to their correct emission temperature. This can give lamps as much as 30 times more lamp life, and reduces the required ignition voltage. Being programmable, many different lamp types can be accommodated.

The IRPLLNR4 Reference Design Kit is also offered for a 35 W/T5 lamp and universal input (90-260 V a.c.). Ballast design software is also available from the International Rectifier website.

For more information: Avnet Kopp, 011 809 6100, sales@avnet.co.za, www.avnet.co.za

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