Power Integrations Introduces Ultra-Compact LED Driver Reference Design for Candelabra-Style Bulbs

The reference design meets the extremely compact requirements of standard candelabra-shaped bulbs. RD-268 provides a single constant-current output of 366 mA with an LED nominal voltage of 3 V, for a total of 1.1 W. This yields approximately 100 lumens of light output, which is similar to a 15 W conventional incandescent candelabra lamp. The reference design is optimized to operate from 85 to 300 VAC, which allows manufacturers to make bulbs suitable for use in all regions and increases field reliability and lifetime during line sags and swells. Importantly, the high power factor (above 0.9) and low THD (less than 15% at 115 VAC; meets EN61000-3-2, Class D) enable a single design to be used worldwide and in multi-lamp fixtures, where overall power use exceeds various regional power quality regulatory thresholds at 5 W and 25 W.

Comments David New, product marketing manager at Power Integrations: “RD-268 demonstrates the ability of our new LED driver ICs to deliver superior performance and end-user experience. It is a low-cost, low-component-count solution that fits in the tiny form factor of the candelabra bulb, yet still passes required power factor and EMI tests.”

Introduced last year, the LinkSwitch-PL IC family enables small, low-cost, TRIAC-dimmable, constant-current drivers for solid-state lighting. LinkSwitch-PL devices are optimized for direct LED current sensing, operate over a wide input voltage range, and deliver output power up to 16 W. An innovative control algorithm provides flicker-free TRIAC dimming with minimal external components. Each device incorporates a 725 V power MOSFET, single-stage power factor correction, a novel discontinuous-mode variable-frequency / variable-on-time controller, frequency jittering, cycle-by-cycle current limit, and hysteretic thermal shutdown – all in a monolithic IC.