Solid state light ac line voltage interface with current and voltage limiting

Abstract

An analog electronic circuit for driving a string of LEDs including input terminals for accepting connection to AC voltage, a current regulation circuit operatively coupled to receive an AC voltage from the input terminals and to provide an output for connection to drive the string of LEDs. Included is a current regulation circuit configured to limit the current flow through the string of LEDs on a half-cycle basis to a predetermined value. Also disclosed is an over voltage circuit configured to switch off electrical connection between the AC voltage and the string of LEDs upon the AC reaching a predetermined high voltage value on a half-cycle basis.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A current regulator that provides a constant current level through an attached series connected string of LEDs when the voltage applied to the circuit is within an operative range and turns off current through the attached series connected string of LEDs when the applied voltage is above the operative range.