Circuit Implements Low-Cost Ballast Control With High Power Factor

by Tom Ribarich, International Rectifier, El Segundo, Calif., How2Power Today, Sep 27 2011

Focus:
T5 fluorescent lamps typically have high working voltages and are driven by an electronic ballast that preheats the lamp filaments, ignites the lamp, and provides a high-frequency ac lamp running current. Adding power factor correction (PFC) to the electronic ballast is a requirement at higher power levels and enables the ballast to work like a "resistive" load on the ac mains. This article describes a novel circuit (IR's IRS2580DS, an 8-pin controller IC) used to control an entire electronic ballast that includes active PFC as well as complete fluorescent lamp control. This article introduces the designer to the main circuit blocks of an electronic ballast and explains the new circuit control methods. It then provides a complete electronic ballast circuit (based on the IR chip) for driving two 54-W T5 lamps. Circuit operation is explained and experimental results for this ballast circuit are presented.

What you’ll learn:

• How to implement a small, low-cost electronic ballast with power factor correction for driving fluorescent lamps
• How to understand operation of the IRS2580DS PFC/Ballast Control

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