Efficient lighting circuit for LED assemblies

Lighting circuit, comprising:

• a rectifier with an input for an alternating voltage, wherein said rectifier outputs a rectified voltage;
• and
• at least a first and a second LED assembly connected to be supplied with electrical power from said rectifier,
• wherein said first LED assembly is electrically connected in series with a first output of said rectifier, said first LED assembly being further electrically connected in series with an input of a switching converter circuit, and said second LED assembly is electrically connected to an output of said switching converter circuit, and
• wherein a control assembly for controlling operation of said first LED assembly is connected to a tap in said series connection, the control assembly comprising a switching element controllable at least in a conducting and non-conducting state, said switching element being connected to bypass said first LED assembly in said conducting state,
• wherein said switching element is operated in a nonconductive state when said rectified voltage exceeds a first threshold, thereby activating said first LED assembly,
• wherein, when said rectified voltage exceeds said first threshold, a residual voltage is input to said switching converter circuit, and
• wherein, when said residual voltage exceeds a second threshold, an output voltage of said switching converter circuit activates said second LED assembly.