Light emitting diodes for high AC voltage operation and general lighting

A single-chip integrated LED particularly adapted for direct use with a high voltage AC power comprises a plurality of series-connected LEDs arranged in two arrays. The opposite polarities of the arrays are connected together and then connected to the AC power source. During the positive half of the AC cycle, one array of LEDs is forward biased and energized, while the other array is reverse biased. During the negative half of the AC cycle, the other array of LEDs is forward biased and thus energized, while the first array is reverse biased and thus not energized. The arrays are alternately energized and de-energized at the frequency of the AC power source, and thus the single-chip integrated LED always appears to be energized.