Patent ID: 6856098

Claim:
A converter for converting an AC (alternating current) power main voltage to a voltage suitable for driving a lamp, the converter comprising: a rectifier circuit connectable to the AC power main, adapted to rectify the AC power main voltage and adapted to provide a DC (direct current) voltage; a driver circuit adapted to receive the DC voltage from the rectifier circuit, and provide a driver output voltage and a driver output current and further adapted to receive an output current limiting signal, the driver circuit comprising a high-side switch, a low-side switch, and a feedback transformer having a first winding for providing feedback to the low-side switch, and a third winding for providing feedback to the high-side switch; a starter circuit for providing a starter signal that initiates oscillation at an operating frequency in the driver circuit; a sensing circuit for sensing an output current of the driver circuit and providing the output current limiting signal in response to the sensed output current of the driver circuit; a transformer circuit for transforming the driver output voltage to a voltage suitable for driving the lamp; and a first bi-directional voltage clamping circuit comprising a zener diode, a silicon diode and a resistor connected between the control terminal and second terminal of the high-side switch, and a second bi-directional voltage clamping circuit comprising a zener diode, a silicon diode and a resistor connected between the control terminal and second terminal of the low-side switch.