Ac led array configuration switching circuit triggered by source voltage level

An LED array lighting apparatus powered by a rectified voltage comprising:

• two or more LEDs, each having a forward bias voltage;
• first and second current drivers;
• solid state switches configured such that in a first state at least two of the LEDs are connected in parallel to the rectified voltage and are driven by the first current driver and in a second state at least two of LEDs are connected in series to the rectified voltage and are driven by the second current driver;
• and
• a voltage detector toggling the solid state switches between the first and second states based on the rectified voltage being either below or above the sum of the forward bias voltages of the at least two LEDs.

A method of activating LEDs in an LED array lighting apparatus comprising:

• applying a rectified alternating current to two or more LEDs, each LED having a forward bias voltage;
• comparing the rectified alternating current to the sum of the forward bias voltages of the two or more LEDs;
• and
• changing the circuit configuration of the two or more LEDs between a parallel connection and a series connection with respect to the rectified alternating current depending on whether the rectified alternating current exceeds the sum of the forward bias voltages of the two or more LEDs.