STMicroelectronics STEVAL-ILD003V1

Overview

STEVAL-ILD003V1 from STMicroelectronics is a through-hole evaluation board implementing an analog leading-edge wall dimmer for CFL and LED lamps using the TS820-600FP sensitive SCR, operating at 230 V_rms (198–264 V), 50/60 Hz, with dimmable power range of 3–350 W and standby losses < 0.5 W.

For engineers reviewing the STEVAL-ILD003V1 datasheet, STEVAL-ILD003V1 application, STEVAL-ILD003V1 schematic, or STEVAL-ILD003V1 alternative boards, this reference design delivers flicker-free dimming for energy-efficient lighting in residential EU mains environments with RoHS compliance and EN55015/IEC 61000-4-4 immunity validation.

Technical Context

The board implements phase-cut dimming via a sensitive SCR gate driven by continuous current-eliminating flicker common in diac-triggered triac dimmers. It uses through-hole LC filtering, gate resistor, and turn-on delay capacitor to support field modification and lamp compatibility across halogen, CFL, and dimmable LED loads.

No microcontroller or digital control is involved; operation is fully analog with mechanical potentiometer-based dimming level adjustment. Standby loss reduction to zero is achievable when the potentiometer includes a mechanical switch that opens the circuit at minimum setting.

Key Specifications

Availability

STEVAL-ILD003V1 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for residential lighting retrofit, LED/CFL lamp compatibility validation, and analog dimmer reference design reuse requiring stable component supply and documented EMC performance.

Supply support for STEVAL-ILD003V1 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

STMicroelectronics is a global semiconductor leader headquartered in Geneva, designing and manufacturing silicon solutions for automotive, industrial, power, and smart digital applications.

This board belongs to ST's STEVAL (ST Evaluation) series-engineered to accelerate prototyping and validation of analog power control topologies for energy-efficient lighting and AC-driven loads.

FAQ

Is STEVAL-ILD003V1 compatible with non-dimmable LED lamps?

No. The board is designed exclusively for dimmable LED and CFL lamps compliant with leading-edge (TRIAC-compatible) dimming standards. Non-dimmable LEDs lack internal circuitry to interpret phase-cut waveforms and may malfunction or fail prematurely when used with this dimmer.

Can the board be modified for 115 V operation?

No. Its LC filter, SCR snubber, and timing components are optimized for 230 V_rms (198–264 V) operation. Adapting to 115 V would require recalculation and replacement of the inductor, capacitor, gate resistor, and potentially the SCR-invalidating EMC and safety certifications.

Does STEVAL-ILD003V1 include isolation between line and control circuitry?

No. It is a basic 2-wire analog dimmer with no galvanic isolation; the potentiometer and user interface are directly referenced to live AC potential. Safe enclosure, double insulation, and compliance with IEC 61347-2-1 are required for end-product certification.

What is the role of the TS820-600FP SCR on this board?

The TS820-600FP is a sensitive-gate SCR rated for 600 V blocking and 0.8 A RMS, enabling low-power gate drive and flicker-free dimming via continuous gate current-unlike diac-triggered triacs that cause inconsistent firing and visible lamp flicker at low dim levels.