| 20110260625 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POWERING ONE OR MORE LOADS FROM AN AC SOURCE USING A CAPACITIVE BALLAST - Described are circuits and methods for powering one or more loads from an ac source using a capacitive ballast. The circuit comprises a capacitive voltage divider that limits current to the loads, includes a first capacitor that operates as a ballast creating a leading current draw relative to the voltage from an alternating current source, and includes a second capacitor that protects the set of light emitting diodes by suppressing line transients. The circuit is able to compensate for the predominately inductive power factor of typical residential and building loads (e.g., appliances, etc.), because of its leading current draw. As a consequence the circuit can utilize at least part of the inductive current load that would otherwise be reflected back to the source or wasted. | 10-27-2011 |
