IR's control ICs for energy-efficient fluorescent ballasts slash component count; increase reliability and performance

13 November 2008

International Rectifier, IR (NYSE: IRF), a world leader in power management technology, introduced the IRS2530D and IRS2158D 600V control ICs for energy-efficient dimming fluorescent lighting ballast applications.

The IRS2530D DIM8 is a unique linear dimming ballast control IC with half-bridge driver in a compact 8-pin form factor. The new device provides a competitive solution to replace inefficient incandescent bulbs in multi-level and three-way compact fluorescent lighting (CFL) applications. Requiring only several small external components, the IRS2530D significantly simplifies and shrinks circuit design and delivers a dimming system performance of up to 10 per cent for compact fluorescent lamps as well as linear ballasts.

The IRS2158D 16-pin fluorescent dimming ballast control IC with half-bridge driver is designed for applications requiring dimming performance below 10 per cent. Comprehensive protection features such as protection from failure of a lamp to strike, filament failures and end-of-life protection are offered making the device well suited for thin lamps including the increasingly popular T5 lamp.

"These innovative new devices add to IR's rich portfolio of energy-efficient products. With the opportunity to save up to 30 per cent of energy compared to non-dimming lighting, designers are seeking to create new dimming product lines using several different control methods. With a high level of integration and protection features, the new control ICs provide the small form factor, functionality and performance required while reducing part count and simplifying design," said David Poon, IR's Vice President, Asia Sales.

IRS2530D DIM8 Technical Data
The IRS2530D DIM8 control IC features IR's patented ballast and high-voltage technologies. A single high-voltage pin senses the half-bridge current and voltage to perform necessary ballast protection functions. The DC dim input voltage reference and AC lamp current feedback are combined allowing a single pin to be used for dimming. These high-voltage control algorithms coupled with a simple dimming method in a single 8-pin IC result in a significantly reduced component count, increased reliability and reduced design cycle time, while maintaining high dimming ballast system performance. The IRS2530D also features an internal non-ZVS protection and internal crest factor protection to prevent lamp failure damaging the ballast.

IRS2158D Technical Data
The IRS2158D is a fully integrated, fully protected 600V ballast control IC designed to drive a wide variety of fluorescent lamps. The device's features include programmable half-bridge over-current protection, programmable pre-heat and run frequencies, programmable preheat time and deadtime, closed-loop half-bridge ignition current regulation, programmable end-of-life protection, brownout protection and low input offset operational amplifier for dimming, current or power control. In addition, the new device features end-of-life window comparator pin and internal 60-event current sense up/down fault counter to accommodate T5 lamp and multi-lamp ballasts.

The IRPLDIM4E, IRPLDIM5E, IRPLCFL8U reference designs, featuring the IRS2530D, are available in addition to the IRPLDIM3 reference design, which features the IRS2158D. Datasheets are available on the International Rectifier website at http://www.irf.com.

IRS2530D is available in an 8-lead DIP or 8-lead SOIC package. The IRS2158D is available in16-pin PDIP and 16-pin narrow body SOIC packages. Production orders are available immediately. The devices are RoHS compliant.

About International Rectifier
International Rectifier (NYSE:IRF) is a world leader in power management technology. IR's analog and mixed signal ICs, advanced circuit devices, integrated power systems and components enable high performance computing and reduce energy waste from motors, the world's single largest consumer of electricity. Leading manufacturers of computers, energy efficient appliances, lighting, automobiles, satellites, aircraft and defence systems rely on IR's power management benchmarks to power their next generation products. For more information, go to www.irf.com.

Trademark Notice
DIM8 and IR are trademarks of International Rectifier Corporation. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information, contact Winnie Wong,wwong1@irf.com