International Rectifier IRS2526DS ‘Mini8’ ballast control IC

International Rectifier has introduced the IRS2526DS ‘Mini8’ compact fluorescent lamp ballast control IC that offers full programmability and a high degree of accuracy and control for all lamp types.

Available in an 8-pin SO-8 package, the IC reduces component count, simplifies circuit design and increases efficiency, in a compact footprint.

It features a 600 V half-bridge control circuit working at 50% duty-cycle and variable frequency for driving the resonant mode lamp output circuit. The high accuracy oscillator is controlled by a single analog-to-frequency input pin, used to set the different operating frequencies of the ballast.

Complete fault protection circuitry is also included against such conditions as mains interrupt or brown-out, lamp non-strike, lamp filament failure and end-of-life.

The device also incorporates an internal frequency dither to reduce conducted EMI, ignition control to reduce inductor size and end-of-life detection.

The IC uses the technology also featured in the previously released IRS2580DS ‘Combo8’ that combines a full featured fluorescent ballast with power factor correction controller in a compact 8-pin package.

It is suitable for applications that do not require PFC or use an external PFC controller.