O2Micro(R) International Limited has released patented Free Dimming(TM) technology for the global LED lighting market.
 
The patented Free Dimming(TM) technology enables LED bulbs to dim using any on/off switch, thus eliminating the burden of installing expensive dimmers. It can work with any on/off switch, including wall toggles, paddle switches, pull cords, rotary switches and other types of on/off switches commonly found on walls, extension cords and table/desk lamps.

Industry has estimated that there are roughly 150 million incandescent dimmers installed in the USA alone. In theory, LED bulbs are fully dimmable; however, designing them to be compatible with incandescent dimmers is exceptionally challenging. Such designs add significant complexity and cost to the LED bulb, reduce efficiency, and often result in poor performance that leads to product returns and potential safety issues.

Chronic compatibility and performance issues include aesthetic problems such as flicker, audible hum, "jumpy" dimming, and poor turn-off performance. Others are various electrical issues such as inrush current, which stresses components in both the dimmer and LED bulb, shortening product lifetime and creating safety issues.

Furthermore, support for legacy incandescent dimmers does not address the more than 85% of light bulbs that operate from non-dimming on/off switches. Although there are 150 million incandescent dimmers installed in the USA alone, according to the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), there are over 4.4 billion medium, screw-based light sockets in the U.S., representing an enormous, untapped market opportunity.

Based on this estimate, O2Micro's Free Dimming LED driver product family is inherently simple and works with any non-dimming on/off switch. It has broad appeal, working with the more than 85% of lights that are on non-dimming circuits.

The products in O2Micro's Free Dimming LED driver product family, the pin-compatible OZ8022A and OZ8022B provide three-step dimming using any ordinary on/off switch. The LED drivers dim the LED bulb to one of three preset levels each time the on/off switch is toggled. For example, with each toggle action, the OZ8022A dims the LED bulb from 100% to 60% to 20% and then loops back to 100% full brightness, repeating the sequence.

The OZ8022B operates in reverse, starting at 20% then increases brightness to 60% then 100% with each flick of the wall switch; imitating the operation of a traditional three-way incandescent light bulb and providing even more energy savings by starting at the lowest level.

The OZ8022 series supports universal 85V to 265V operation, enabling one LED bulb to address the global marketplace. High efficiency greater than 89% reduces energy consumption and thermal management complexity. Integrated over-temperature, over-voltage, cycle-by-cycle current limiting, and LED short circuit protection provides safe and reliable operation. Excellent LED current regulation ensures consistent lumen output, regardless of varying line input conditions.