Device and method for controlling a gas discharge lamp, and lighting system with gas discharge lamp and control device

摘要

A device and a method for the control of a gas discharge lamp are disclosed. In order to detract as little as possible from lamp life in spite of the luminous flux requirements to be fulfilled during the run-up of the lamp, the lamp is operated with an alternating current in a run-up phase which comprises at least the interval from 1 s to 3 s after lamp ignition, the amplitude of said current rising during the run-up phase. After the rise in the run-up phase, the current may first rise further or remain constant in a transitional phase which preferably follows the former phase, and is subsequently reduced until the lamp enters the stationary operational phase. The time gradient of the current is preferably chosen such here that minimum values for the luminous flux of the lamp are achieved at given moments. Particular advantages are obtained, for example, in the case of Hg-free lamps which are operated with high currents, especially during the run-up.