
Application
Notes
C-66
C
ONTROL
I
NTEGRATED
C
IRCUIT
D
ESIGNERS’
M
ANUAL
operation of the IR2151 is the same as previously de-
scribed for the ‘Simple Double 40 Fluorescent Ballast.’
The full bridge circuit essentially doubles the available
AC output voltage compared with the half-bridge design.
The slave driver U2 is driven from lead 2 of U1 and
provides an inversion of its input signal at lead 2 to the
LO drive waveform at lead 4. U1 does not have this in-
version feature so its LO waveform is in phase with pin
2. When driven in this fashion, it is apparent that Q1 and
Q4 conduct together and on the other half cycle Q2 and
Q3 conduct together. The resultant output square wave
has the same RMS value as the DC bus voltage (400
VDC). The lamp circuits are resonant at the self-oscillat-
ing frequency of U1 determined from equation (1).
The low-Q lamp circuits have a broad resonance curve
so that tolerance buildups of the timing components R1
and C3 do not seriously compromise the available strik-
ing voltage for each lamp. Even with a Q of only 2, the
RMS lamp striking voltage exceeds 800V — more than
sufficient to strike the F96T12 lamps.
Also shown on the schematic is a power factor correc-
tion circuit following the AC input rectifier. These circuits
use a boost topology to achieve in-phase AC sinusoidal
current waveforms with low harmonic content, and are
becoming nearly universally required, particularly at
higher power levels. Many papers have been presented on
the subject and a few semiconductor manufacturers pro-
vide control chips and application information on their
use.
The ballast circuit will operate with or without a P.F.C.
rectifier; the simplest approach being a configuration
similar to the ‘Simple Double 40 Ballast’ circuit. If this
option is used, the DC bus voltage is around 320 VDC
and the values of L2 and L3 should be reduced by 25%
to around 1 mH (by increasing the core gap.) The R1
value should also be reduced to provide the slightly
higher resonant frequency now required.
Summary
This application note has described a few ballast cir-
cuits which are easily implemented with International
Rectifier’s IR215X Control IC family. Additional possi-
bilities are limited only by the imagination of the de-
signer.
This PC board (shown actual size) is designed to drive a 13W to 40W fluorescent lamp using the IR2155, IR2151 or IR2152.)
Input is 115 or 230 VAC. (Schematic, parts list and board available on request. Ask for Design Tips DT 94-3.)