International Rectifier IRS2580DS Combo8 ballast-control IC

International Rectifier has introduced what it claims is the first IC to integrate power factor correction and ballast control in a single compact 8-pin SO-8 package.

The IRS2580DS Combo8 IC simplifies design and reduces overall component count to speed design in energy-efficient lighting applications.

The device includes a boost converter control circuit operating in critical-conduction free-running frequency mode, to provide power factor correction with ultra-low THD. The IC also includes a 600 V half-bridge control circuit working at 50% duty cycle and variable frequency for driving the resonant mode lamp output circuit.

Complete fault protection circuitry is also included for protection against such conditions as mains interruption or brownout, lamp non strike, lamp filament failure and end of life. The IC requires only two primary control pins to perform all the necessary ballast functions.

These include an analog voltage-to-frequency input pin for programming the different operating frequencies for preheating, igniting and running the lamp, and a PWM output pin for controlling the on and off times during each switching cycle of the PFC boost converter.