STARTING AID FOR HID LAMP

摘要

An arc discharge light source (10) comprises a translucent body (12) having a hollow center 14 and oppositely disposed ends (16, 18). A cathode lead-in 20 is positioned in one of the ends (16) and terminates at a first end (22) in a cathode electrode (24) within the hollow center (14) and a second end (26) in a connector (28) for a power supply. An anode lead-in 30 is positioned in the other of the ends (18) and terminates at a first end (32) in an anode electrode (34) within the hollow center (14) and at a second end (36) in a connector (40) for a power supply. A space (42) between the cathode electrode (24) and the anode electrode (34) within the hollow center (14) defines an arc gap. An arc generating and sustaining medium (43) is provided within the hollow center (14) and a starting aid (41) comprising an auxiliary electrode (44) substantially surrounds the anode electrode (34) and is positioned solely on the external surface (4 6) of the body (12) and is electrically connected to the cathode lead-in (20).