LT3799 – create a LED driver with an active PFC

At the design of a new LED driver, we usually have to consider more factors like for example an output current stability, shortcut or open LED protection, efficiency, safety (isolated secondary circuit form the primary one), power factor correction, EMI, number of external components and other.

LT3799 meets all these requirements and offers another benefits, like for example a possibility to use a smaller transformer thanks to the use of critical conductivity mode, powerful external MOSFET driver, internal LDO regulator and also a very good output current regulation – typically +-5%, moreover with no opto-isolator. A big bonus is the active power factor correction, thanks to which it reaches typical values of 0,96 (at 230V AC), thus meeting the most stringent requirements in this field, as well as IEC 61000-3-2 class C about harmonic currents emission. When we look closer at the recommended application circuit, we´ll find out that behind a diode bridge we won´t find any (otherwise common) input electrolytic capacitor with value of tens or hundreds of uF. That´s why the input voltage of the controller and a of the power transformer “copies” input sinusoid. Excellent power factor is reached just thanks to it, that LT3799 knows immediate input voltage value and based on this value, it sets the input current limit (in a given cycle of the SMPS), proportionally to the immediate value of the input AC voltage. Further LT3799 gains information about the immediate current from the primary side, that´s why it doesn´t require an opto-coupler. Thanks to this, LT3799 works like a current source in every period of input voltage, that´s why it is even possible to use classic triac regulators, which are often already a part of the buildings installation. In other words – LT3799 doesn´t try to compensate “dropouts” in power supply caused by a phase control of a triac, what causes decreasing of an output LED current and their fluent dimming. Neither this control method doesn´t cause LED blinking, because there is an electrolytic capacitor on the transformer output.

Detailed information you can find in the LT3799 datasheet and in the Design Note 490. For the development support is also available the LT3799 demo board DC1595A. In case of interest about any Linear Technology, please contact us at info@soselectronic.com.