LIGHTING DEVICE FOR ELECTRIC DISCHARGE LAMP

摘要

A lighting device for an electric discharge lamp comprises an LC series resonant circuit, and control means for controlling an inverter circuit. Immediately after the occurrence of a dielectric breakdown in the electric discharge lamp. AC voltage with a relatively low frequency is applied to the lamp so as to pass a heavy current therethrough. Subsequently, the frequency is increased stepwise by a relatively small variation until a terminal voltage of the electric discharge lamp reaches a predetermined value. Thereafter, the frequency is increased stepwise by a relatiely large variation until the electric discharge lamp assumes a discharge stable state.