| 摘要 |
A non-light producing substitute apparatus for use as a replacement for a phosphor energizable lamp in an arrangement where a plurality of such lamps are connected in a series electrical circuit. Typically, two or more phosphor energizable lamps, such as fluorescent lamps, are connected to pairs of spaced apart sockets in a fixture and if one of the lamps is burned out or is removed, there is ineffective operation of the remaining lamp. The substitute apparatus permits one of the series connected lamps to be removed with the other to operate without substantially affecting lumen output of the remaining lamp and power factor loss. The substitute apparatus of the present invention is effective in that it does not necessarily create a connection between the two terminals in the pair of spaced apart sockets from which the lamp was removed. The substitute apparatus creates a grounding of the ballast or similar power generator or other power source which operates the fixture, or otherwise a ground plane in the fixture with respect to the sockets so that at least one of the sockets from which the lamp was removed is at the same ground potential as either the ballast or the ground plane of the fixture. Thus, a different electrical circuit path is established. Moreover, the substitute apparatus of the present invention is effective in that it is relatively small in its construction. The substitute apparatus comprises a relatively small tubular housing which is made of a plastic material and includes a power factor compensating element, such as a capacitor therein. The capacitor has one electrode thereof electrically connected to one of the terminals in the socket to which the lamp was previously connected and the other electrode of the capacitor is grounded. An adaptor may be used with and form part of the apparatus for grounding the terminal or terminals of the opposite socket from which the lamp was removed.
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