A illumination lamp ignition device is provided for making it possible to ignite a discharge lamp or an incandescent lamp on the optimum condition in all the cases. The ignition device is comprised of a DC-DC converter, an inverter that inverts the output from the DC-DC converter to an AC power and applies it to an illuminating load, an ignition circuit that generates a high voltage pulse from the AC power and outputs it to the illuminating load, and a controller that controls the DC-DC converter and the inverter to output a variable DC voltage and a variable frequency AC power. The controller has a starting mode that drives the inverter with a starting frequency to generate a high voltage pulse and an ignition mode for driving the inverter with an ignition frequency that is lower than the starting frequency. The controller also has a detection mode that makes the DC-DC converter output a predetermined level detecting DC voltage prior to an operation of the starting mode, a discharge lamp ignition program that makes the inverter operate the ignition mode subsequent to the starting mode after the detection mode, and an incandescent lamp ignition program that makes the inverter shift to the ignition mode without the involvement of the starting mode after the detection mode. When the detecting DC voltage is over a predetermined threshold value, the controller chooses the discharge lamp ignition program, but otherwise it chooses the incandescent lamp ignition program. At the time for the connection of the incandescent lamp, it can be ignited without applying the high voltage pulse, thereby preventing the reduction of its life.
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