New Industry Products

IR Intros 600V IR2159 Dimming Ballast Controller IC

September 12, 1999 by Jeff Shepard

International Rectifier (El Segundo, CA) introduced the 600V IR2159 Dimming Ballast Controller IC, which is claimed to feature a new control method of regulating lamp power that eliminates requirements for a current-sensing transformer. The new ICs offer the high- and low-side gate drives for half-bridge MOSFETs, as well as a comprehensive set of protection features, guarding against end of lamp life, capacitive mode, brown-out and overtemperature. The IR2159 IC is built around a novel phase control loop that 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 resulting closed loop system is claimed to offer the simplest architecture for linear dimming ever developed, without requiring a separate current-sensing transformer or precision trimming of the external timing components. The IR2159 600V Dimming Ballast Controller IC is available in a 16-pin DIP or SOIC package. Prices start at $5.95 in quantities of 1,000. A Reference Design Kit (IRPLDIM1) of dimming ballast designed to drive a T8 tube is provided.