STARTER FOR A GAS DISCHARGE LIGHT SOURCE

摘要

A starter for a gas discharge light source is configured to measure an initial resistance of one or more filaments of the gas discharge light source, such as a fluorescent light, each time the gas discharge light source is initially powered via a ballast. The starter may initiate a preheat cycle to heat the one or more filaments. The duration of the preheat cycle may be automatically customized by the starter based on the initial resistance and a target hot resistance that is calculated by the starter based on the initial resistance. The duration of the preheat cycle may be automatically customized by the starter to optimize reliability and the life of the gas discharge light source.