Ignition circuit for starting discharge lamps includes dual DC-AC converters with controls enabling operation of several discharge lamps

摘要

The circuit has switching elements which determine the polarity of the voltage prior to starting the discharge lamps. The ignition circuit (1) has a DC supply circuit (3) and a DC-AC conversion circuit (4) for converting the DC supply into an AC voltage for application to the two discharge lamps. A control circuit (8) controls the ignition of each discharge lamp. A full bridge type circuit is formed in the conversion circuit (4) in order to switch the positive and negative polarities and provide power to each of the discharge lamps. In order to light a discharge lamp, the status of each of the switch elements is fixed so that the polarity of the voltage which is applied to the discharge lamp before discharge occurs is fixed.