Abstract: The bulb (1) of the lamp which defines a longitudinal axis (A) is closed at one end by a seal (3), contact elements being fitted to the one end which are each electrically conductively connected to a power supply line (2) leading to a luminous element, the contact element being accommodated in a tubular part (15) of the seal part, characterized in that the contact element (5) protrudes outwards and is equipped in the interior of the tubular part with at least two outwardly protruding centering parts (10, 11) which are in contact with the tubular extension (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a flat discharge lamp (1), comprising two substantially parallel plates (5, 6) and two support areas serving to support both plates against each other. Each support area consists of a component having a high-viscosity (8) and a low viscosity (7) at assembling temperature. Before assembling the discharge vessel, the support areas are larger than final distance envisaged between both plates. The low viscosity component (7) compensates for possible local deviations in the distance between both plates when the discharge vessel are assembled.