Date: 23rd May 2011
New ballast controller from ST meets ENERGY
STAR requirements
STMicroelectronics has unveiled a new ballast controller
capable of reducing design time and costs. The new IC will
fulfill the requirements of energy-saving regulations such
as ENERGY STAR and will significantly contribute to optimization
usage of available energy, dramatically reducing the CO2
emission.
Lighting accounts for up to 19% of the overall electricity
consumption in the world, according to figures from Energy
Information Administration - EIA - Official Energy Statistics
from the U.S. Government. Private and public organizations
are looking towards incentives, standards and regulations
for improved energy efficiency. In this scenario, high-frequency
electronic ballasts are rapidly replacing electromagnetic
ballasts due to higher efficiency, no visible flickering,
and low weight due to the use of electronic components.
ST's new L6520 controller is the first device to give the
choice of using low-cost bipolar power switches without
compromising reliability, ensuring high-energy efficiency
and integrating important features on-chip to save design
time and cost, while reducing Bill-of-Materials costs.
The IC can be used with a wide range of lamp topologies,
power ratings and has an extended temperature range from
-25 °C up to 85°C. Hence manufacturers can reduce
design and procurement costs for products covering a range
of performance and price points.
The L6520 embeds a digital control core, integrating all
functions and protection, saving as much as 30% of the external
components required with alternative controllers. Integrated
features include lamp end-of-life, and due to ST's proprietary
current control circuit, the IC is protected against over-current
and over-voltage, choke saturation and hard switching. Accurate
and programmable pre-heating improves lamp life, while BJTs
storage time compensation avoids the risk of cross-conduction
and makes the application more robust.
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