(57) Electronic starter circuits for discharge lamps have been proposed employing the
pulse producing properties of a non-linear dielectric element. This starter uses such
an element (CV) which can produce a voltage pulse substantially in excess of twice
the peak of the supplied voltage in response to a voltage pulse above its saturation
voltage. The starter includes a semiconductor switch (S) and a diode steering circuit
(D1, D2, D3) which connects the switch across the circuit input terminals (4, 6) in
one polarity to pass preheating current through the lamp cathodes (2, 3) and in another
part of the starting cycle connects the switch (S) in the opposite polarity in series
with the non-linear dielectric element (CV) to apply an ignition voltage pulse across
the lamp (1).
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