International Rectifier Announces Phase Control Loop Ballast ICs to Achieve Transformer-Less Dimming

International Rectifier Announces Phase Control Loop Ballast ICs to Achieve Transformer-Less Dimming

International Rectifier, IR® (NYSE: IRF), a world leader in power management technology, has announced the 600V IR21592 and IR21593 dimming ballast ICs, each featuring a phase control loop and half-bridge driver for fluorescent lamps. IR's new devices include the most comprehensive set of protection features including dimming ignition detection as well as brown-out and over-temperature protection. In addition, a micro-controllable interface is included.

“The IR21592 and IR21593 ICs simplify dimming fluorescent lamp architecture into a single-chip solution. They enable ballast manufacturers to offer solutions that save energy. Advancements like these should pave the way for more widespread adoption of the energy-efficient lighting alternative,” said Leigh Cormie, Lighting Product Manager.

The IR21592 is designed for linear lamps while the IR21593 is designed for compact lamps. IR's patented phase control loop architecture senses and regulates the phase current of the half-bridge. Only a single pin with an external current-sensing resistor is used to measure all feedback information necessary for pre-heat, ignition, dimming and lamp fault. The result is a closed loop system that simplifies linear dimming. The control method eliminates a separate current-sensing transformer.