Inrush current limiter circuit

Systems and methods for reducing inrush current into a component, such as a power converter (e.g., LED driver), which receives alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (e.g., AC mains). The method may include pre-charging the input capacitance of a component or circuit for a determined period of time after closing of a control switch (e.g., photocontrol, contactor) using a capacitive load pre-charge circuit (e.g., resistor), and then shorting the capacitive load pre-charge circuit using a bidirectional AC switch coupled in parallel with the capacitive load pre-charge circuit after the determined period of time to selectively bypass the capacitive load pre-charge circuit. The bidirectional AC switch may include two source-connected metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) which have a very low "on resistance," such that during steady-state operation, the protection circuit wastes very little power compared to conventional inrush protection circuits.