An approach for selecting switching devices for CFL ballasts

This paper discusses a method for switching device selection for lowest overall compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) ballast cost while satisfying product life requirements. The inputs to the selection process are lamp power, expected product life, and a range of semiconductor devices that satisfy electrical requirements of conventional half-bridge series-resonant ballast topology. The selection process is illustrated with the example of an n-channel MOSFET pair, complementary pair of an n- and p-channel MOSFETs, bipolar junction transistor pair, and a pair of insulated gate bipolar transistors. While this paper addresses switching device selection for CFL applications, the outlined approach is more universal and can be applied to electronic equipment in general.