Power Integrations has introduced a new reference design (DER-281) detailing an 85%-efficient, 15 W PAR38 downlight driver that delivers flicker-free dimming without the use of unreliable high-voltage electrolytic bulk capacitors. Based on Power Integrations' LNK405EG, a member of the company's LinkSwitch-PH family of LED driver ICs, the design's novel approach to dimming eliminates the need to sacrifice reliability and efficiency in order to achieve flicker-free performance across a broad range of TRIAC dimmers.
Andy Smith, Product Marketing Manager, Power Integrations said, "Early adopters of LED lighting have often been disappointed by bulbs that fail because of flawed two-stage drivers reliant on electrolytic bulk capacitors. A more robust driver technology is essential as lighting systems become long-lived appliances, rather than disposable items. We believe that the advanced, single-stage approach embodied in DER-281 meets every one of the LED designer's checkboxes - it is highly efficient, accurate, and meets all PFC and harmonic content rules. It's also long-lived and compatible with existing home dimmers."
